Helko Vario 2000 axe or hatchet?

[afishhunter]

Anyone have one?
I kind of like the idea of being able to change the head for different jobs (felling vs splitting, for example) and being able to change the handle length as needed - without the change to a shorter handle being "permanent".
Are they worth getting, or are they a novelty that does not last or work as well as a conventional axe or hatchet?

 

[rjdankert]

Anyone have one? . . .

I don't. In fact I didn't know about them until this post and looked them up. They look interesting, hope someone has some information to share. Sorry, no help.

. . .
I kind of like the idea of being able to change the head for different jobs (felling vs splitting, for example) and being able to change the handle length as needed - without the change to a shorter handle being "permanent".
. . .

Seems like they would take away the excuse for getting more axes.

 

[Chignecto Woodsman]

I don't have one and I have to say I wouldn't go out of my way to try one. Frankly, when they attempt to take the skill requirement out of any piece of technology there are generally a lot of unforeseen problems.

A couple thoughts on what these might be:
- Given the through construction of this I would be worried about resonance. Would it not defeat the purpose of a wood handle and eye construction of traditional axes? I realise there is some sort of connective material here which may be very good at absorbing shock, and this leads to...
- More parts, more connecting points, more possible things to go wrong and have to replace.
- The geometry looks poor to fair, with the problematic connection points which could cause hangups for some tasks.

But with a little searching I found a review and multiple bladeforums links:
http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.ca/2012/04/helko-vario-2000-convertible-axe-system.html
"Pros- Revolutionary design that actually works as intended, well-tempered German steel, attractive, post-modern looking design, German quality, $5 shipping!

Cons- Flimsy sheath, heavier weight than traditional axes of the same size, expensive replacement bolts, edge is on the thick side"

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/944085-Helko-Vario-2000-Axe-Review

There is a fair bit of information it seems. I wouldn't take comparisons to Fiskars as a good sign though as the resonance can tear up your arms a bit. I think that's what you should mainly look out for with this axe in the reviews.

 

[300Six]

I looked at their ads and it's not something I'd ever run out to buy. They aren't expensive though and are bizarre looking enough that theft isn't going to be a problem, such as you'd have with an expensive Swedish boutique jobbie.
In USA a general purpose axe for recreational use is what's called a 'boys' axe. These have 2 - 2 1/2 lb heads and 26" handles. Were I able to swap a 2 1/2 lb head over to a 5 lb splitter the handle would be way too short, and were it a 36" handle for the splitter, a swapped-over 2 lb head would be a joke. I can see the merits of interchangeable heads of same or similar weight, one for cutting cross grain and one for splitting lengthwise but otherwise I don't see any of this as much more than a marketing gimmick.

 

[Square_peg]

......marketing gimmick.

That's it.

 

[garry3]

I wonder about the balance of the axe since there is no poll. Would a more closed hang make up for it? Just not sure.