Reviewing the Helko Vario Log Splitter

If you add some blue loctite to the bolts they’ll stay in. But in fairness, I cannot review the axe based on that modification.
Power: 9.8
Durability: 8.9 (can swap handles but I have broken a bolt before)
Feel: 10
Cost: 8.1

[@ThorenBradley]

Attention! Although this is not a paid ad….Something not so great happened with this axe. I have removed the link. And a new updated review is in order. New score 8.75. Will update soon

[@Luke-bf1wt]

That’s not good.

[@averagejoe6150]

Lost the head of the axe because of those screws? Lol.

[@ThorenBradley]

@@averagejoe6150 “snap” 😳

[@julianzacconievas]

@@ThorenBradley Did you use some kind of adhesive/thread locker and one of the screws snapped? .. Without being able to vibrate out of the thread, the energy that can't be translated to movement will instead damage the screw via mechanical tension/torsion or rising its temperature. This could alternatively have damaged the piece that secures the axe head to the handle, but I'd be surprised if that gave up before the screws.

[@averagejoe6150]

@@julianzacconievas I get that the energy levels are high here as far as human power itself goes, but to snap bolts off? Idk.

[@calebsiegler5471]

They should build the Allen key into a little screw on cap on the bottom of the handle. And then you have to keep a smaller Allen key in your pocket to remove that. It’s like using a small can of WD-40 to open a bigger can of WD-40 with a stuck lid

[@ThorenBradley]

I actually like that idea 😂

[@doc1439]

All men want to be like hank Hill with his holster of wd40 but none can do it as well as he can

[@fionabangay3071]

That was an interesting review of a review you did Thoren. You are honest, have good integrity with your channel. You give sound advice but are humble enough to take on others comments/opinions. Keeping it real!! Xx

[@ThorenBradley]

I appreciate that!

[@CountryLife8286]

Man and ax become one. The grunt on the last one was badass

[@thefinalgrind]

I was about to say "Just throw some Loc-Tite on the threads" but then I realized it's the handle that's probably compressing a little bit, therefore giving the head wiggle room to loosen. Along with the obvious jolt. BUTT!.....I wonder IF/ HOW many times they actually can be tightened before finding their "ending" persay. Hell, mark them with a scribe& see how much tighter you have to tighten them each time in order to get the same tightness. I'm guessing at some point it'll have to stop. And then you can loc-tite them from there with some blue.

[@ThorenBradley]

That is EXACTLY the way to handle it.

[@thefinalgrind]

@ThorenBradley I wonder (between me&you) if that axe would be better with a steel insert down the axe handle. Just like 6" down the "core"..... Don't tell the company that. Lol. Maybe I'll try to build my own design by redesigning theirs. The steel core would offer stability for the screws, while the wood surrounding it would still help with those vibrations. By default the wood wouldn't compress as much& the bolts could be ran thru the core.... Hell buddy..... you know how you get your best strikes/splits right before you break them? I'm almost thinking just slight bit of play with that steel core, as the wood compresses, might give you that "Double Thump" type of feeling you get before it breaks. I've also thought about a slide weight axe. Imagine a dead blow hammer except in an axe..... I have too many ideas. Lol

[@tomstutz2645]

The bolts are definitley stretching, not loosening. In another video he talks about how they break frequently. Most likely just undersized for the application. Unfortunately if you modified it to use larger bolts youd then have handle integrity issues. The biggest issue here is removing a stuck maul by rocking the handle. Thats actually some pretty insane leverage your applying to the head and this design simply cant ever compete with that. The forces applied to the bolts/handle when doing actual splitting are pretty miniscule

[@j.robertvillarreal5926]

use weather stripper adhesive on the threads of the bolts to keep them from coming lose. We call it Yellow Snot. You will find it at a parts store. Trust me. You won't need to retighten those bolts anymore. A dot the size of the the bolt head on the threads on the tip of the bolt is all you need.

[@ThorenBradley]

Does it allow you to back them out later?

[@j.robertvillarreal5926]

@@ThorenBradley yes. the adhesive will make it hard to back the bolts out, but they come out. I stopped using locktight and use this instead. When Locktight does fail the bolts vibrate loose and fall out. With the adhesive if the it comes loose it will not let the bolt fall out. A very important detail to be considered when swinging a Pitching Wedge.

[@DocWhiskey1776]

@@j.robertvillarreal5926yeah I was going to say blue loctite and witness marks to see if backing out. Just so he can still remove when he wants but that yellow snot might be better for this application.

[@LukePighetti]

The right solution here is blue locktite. Can get at any hardware or auto parts store.

[@jrconn0609]

More axe review videos please! Would love to see you compare this one to the Fiskars IsoCore 8lbs splitting maul AND the Adler Super Plitter.

[@HaymakerHamilton]

/item give iron_axe

[@TheEncouragementKid]

😂😂😂😂 maybe he'll review a nethertie one if we're lucky 😅

[@Andolusian]

Hey man, in one of your older videos u didn’t seem happy with the vario, is this a different model? And if it is is it better?

[@josephpeltier6979]

Blue locktite for those bolts maybe? It’ll make it harder to remove when you go to service, but they won’t come loose when you’re working.

[@ThorenBradley]

Blue loctite is a very inexpensive resolve to the problem! AND made this axe one of my favorites after disliking it at first.

[@jtblenker]

Ya, blue Loctite or Rocksett.

[@Erebus.666.]

That is a beast of a splitter.

[@HopOPwndTheHippo]

Has this guy ever tried using a Viking Log Splitting Sword. In addition to maybe helping with efficiency, it would look super badass. I think he should try it.

[@purple.ismyreason3742]

He never did it but i remember he mentionned he was from Irish descent so it could be kinda funny to see him split wood with a viking sword

[@tomstutz2645]

Help with efficiency? *sigh* i take it youve never split wood. Your gona spend 3x as much energy gettin that thing unstuck when it doesnt pop the log. Mauls work cause they dont stick so bad. Same reason i dont use splitting axes

[@mountainbushcraftersallian8654]

Maybe a drop of lock tight on the bolts, (med grade) will solve that issue, and you'll still be able to remove for sharpening or a handle change...

[@microwafel9907]

Just discovered your channel, was loving the video´s, untill there were 2 of them back to back of you saying it was the most beautifull axe you own, in both videos lmao

[@djmtexas]

Spray the holes & bolts with the brake cleaner or alcohol. Let dry. And put a good amount of Loctite. Let dry. Should be good for a while.

[@granitegreg7883]

Would putting loktite on those bolts help from them coming loose? I’ve looked into buying this axe in the past but it’s a little out my price range atm. Definitely a beautiful axe and worth the money from all the reviews I’ve seen in it.

[@sootbelcher]

Props, bro! Maybe consider reviewing cheap splitting mauls?

[@Lukehoff51]

Nice job bro! 👊🏻🇧🇷

[@ThorenBradley]

Thanks brotha! 👍

[@Lukehoff51]

👊🏻🪓

[@MatthewFarney]

I thought in a previous video you said the bolts dont need just tightening but they break and need replacing. Isnt it a pain in the ass? Why the change of mind? Im truly interested

[@ThorenBradley]

Yeah. In fact. It took me another 4-6 months of usage to come back around and be honest with myself. Despite the annoyance I had with the bolts, I found myself reaching for this axe 80% of the time. So I figured, maybe the annoyance of the bolts needed to be readdressed with proportion. Yes, it has proved to be a hiccup in the design. And i’m very proud of the fact that I didn’t recommend something I was using……and have people disappointed. But clearly the axe has earned it’s place in my rotation, so I had to come back and sort of recalibrate the importance of those bolts. I buy 4 extra bolts and I use loctite on the existing ones 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DrTubeman]

@@ThorenBradley So what is your opinion and rating of the axe now, I've read several terrible reviews about the axe heads exploding and the bolts breaking off and not being able to be extracted out? Doesn't sound like a stable product especially considering the Helko Vario Log Splitters purchase price? Would be interested in your recommendation now, cheers, luv your videos man.

Se ve una buena hacha para abrir troncos 🪓👍🏻

[@mmhhjj34]

That third one screwed you over

[@jamescody9982]

Im a smaller guy @ 160 lbs, I prefer a wedge and a sledge just to split my stumps in half, then switch to my Maul. Thoughts?

[@ThorenBradley]

Working smarter bro! Love it

[@thefinalgrind]

Perfect Answer to my Question yesterday. Lol

[@thomaszinecker1785]

Woahhh he's already got a million subs wowaww

[@murphychris9811]

you hit that it sounds like a fooking gun

[@averagejoe6150]

Throw some lock tight on those screws and you're golden. Should keep them from backing off.

[@shaneapplegate1975]

Wait till you break the bottom bolt with loctite. Get your torch and cuss-words out brother. For the money if it should be dovetailed on there or something. At this price point I shouldn't be able to get through a truckload of rounds

[@sandragoodin8070]

❤❤❤❤❤ thank you for your videos

[@pauls.2308]

Your content and character are remarkable. One of these days, after you omit the blasphemy, I'll happily subscribe! 👍🏾 Drop all the F-Bombs you want, but show some respect to GOD! 💜🙏🏾

[@cassidybronson6891]

Blue locktite!!

[@dirttdude]

i've been watching your wood splitting shorts. you're a big strong MF and pretty good at splitting wood, try to stop thinking about hitting hard on your swing, think 'head speed' so you know, you use your back, shoulders and arms to get it moving and and think 'hard' then use your forearms and wrists on the final part of the swing and think 'speed' a little like a baseball bat

[@jacobnauman5801]

I think you could swing anything at those those logs and they'd split for you 😂

[@Intoarblife]

Cool looking axe

[@CRUSADEROFTHELORD]

If this guy had a sledge hammer, he could take down a sky scraper.

[@blackmounthare]

So that's finally the first one that really satisfies you? If so, then good for you!

[@elwallantro7209]

Bro seems like he’s cussin just to sound bad ass, shit comes out so forced😂

[@jimmylarge1148]

U blew through with the fiskars way faster and it got a smaller score. Fiberglass handle or not having to swing 3 times is way better than 12.

[@AnarchAngel1]

Every piece of wood is different. That last one obviously had a few knots in there

[@jimmylarge1148]

@@AnarchAngel1that’s what they all say…. 😂

[@AnarchAngel1]

@jimmylarge1148 If you don't agree I don't think you've ever split wood before 🤷‍♂️

[@AnarchAngel1]

@jimmylarge1148 I like Fiskars just for the record. Not a huge fan of the Isocore maul but their splitting axes are excellent. I'm literally taking a break from using one as I type this 😅 Also have a Council Tool 5lb splitting axe out here too. I'm not opposed to fiberglass or Hickory

[@delta2tactical978]

Try some vibra-tite VC3 on those screws/bolts brother

[@handsmcneil]

How do you reconcile the dichotomy of 5 months ago saying.. "I do not like this axe at all." "Do not buy that axe." "Its not a good axe." To giving it a 9.2 lol what changed? I mean get that paper but.. dang

[@ThorenBradley]

This wasn't a paid ad. I read up on some reviews, reviewed 4-5 axes and did some research....this axe still has the downside of the bolts being an issue. But I found that after using some loctite on the bolts, it still outperforms almost all of my axes. We are allowed, and should allow, for changes of opinion over time. Especially after a collection of more data and info. I am happy with my change of thoughts, because I never told anyone to buy it FOR YEARS of using it in videos. So I waited until I came to terms with what type of axe this is. It is great. But It has a flaw, a flaw of which I clearly stated in this video.

[@handsmcneil]

@@ThorenBradley oh I 100% agree opinions should change and grow. Thats a very important aspect of life. So did the loctite stop you from breaking bolts? Because the original issue was you breaking the bottom bolt. So was that due to them working themselves out through use n then breaking because they were loose? See thats where I am lost is the last time I saw your opinion of this axe it was basically beautiful trash. And now youre singing its praises without illustrating the why, which would make for an interesting journey through learning and growing with a tool.

[@ThorenBradley]

@@handsmcneilthe bolts not being loose have not yet led to a break. I found the drawbacks of other axes to be far more inconvenient than replacing or using loctite for bolts. I am not paid by this company…or any other axe companies yet. And if I become paid to review, it will be disclosed. So far, i’d actually rather use this axe than most others (hence why you actually see me using this one most frequently) which forced me to look back and reassess why that might be the case. Turns out my frustrations were warranted, but maybe dramatized in comparison to problems with other axes

[@handsmcneil]

@@ThorenBradley nice! See thats what I was looking for n is such an interesting progression. You went from essentially hating that axe. Due to a lot of frustration with it I'm sure. You studied n learned the tool n ended up at the other side loving it. Thats sick and such a cool story. Right on n thanks for the replies.

[@ThorenBradley]

@@handsmcneilof course! Dude. I’m the first person to get too excited about a product and then be disappointed down the road. So I’m happy this was the opposite 😂

[@jamescody9982]

I've wanted to know what maul that was for ever. Thank you

[@jamescody9982]

Holy smokes I just looked it up... $350🇨🇦

[@davefarnsworth3020]

I may just have to try one of those.

[@jacobstinchcomb1922]

Put some blue loctite on the bolts. Should hold up to the task, and still come loose when needed

[@juliegoodge2680]

That last log was a ball breaker lol

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

A little blue loc-tite and the screws would probably hold...

[@Hunter_C_Period]

So I watched your other is expensive better and you talked about breaking bolts. You didn’t mention that in this.

[@OEM19]

Is this the same axe that you said the bolts kept breaking in another video?

[@ThorenBradley]

Yup! I never wanted to recommend the axe. And then I found myself still using it, 6 months down the road. So I had to sort of readdress why I liked it so much. If I still love using it, but didn’t like the bolts. Maybe they weren’t as important as I though. So I just dropped some loctite in the bolts and fell back in love with this thing. Still the same issue, I just don’t find it to be a deal breaker anymore when comparing it to other axes I like

[@richardscott1778]

Add a drop of red loctite to the thread and they won't back out

[@jacoblape]

He breaks the bottom bolts that hold the axe head he said in a later review

[@TheCaffeinatedOrganist]

Hell yeah.

[@j-dub8399]

Would it be worth using loctite blue on the threading? The blue holds strong but not permanently.

[@Phoenix-vg8li]

He’s got to be a veteran

[@universoulstrength7343]

Try putting some Lock Tight on the bolts?

[@chinatownimportscom1434]

Those over a certain age should not do this unless their heart is checked for aerthereosclerosis first. Google snow shoveling after a certain age to learn more. Jack hammers should be avoided too unless heart is checked first.

[@tdlaustralia7791]

Some green or blue thread lock

[@Keithan213]

Good content

[@outdoors-fun]

Love the videos man, but you gotta stop swinging that axe like someone trying to steal your log between swings. Slow it down a little, you shouldn't be gasping for air after splitting 3 rounds.

[@allthingscomics]

Cool

[@Tracey-ct2tt]

Let's do something different. Take us with you on your next hunt. Teach us how to hunt.

[@vAstronomia]

Need an axe and some wood now. thanks 🫡 also have you considered archery? You have beautiful land and the strength for it; betting you're a natural and will love it. Traditional archery is something special, and would also make for some great content 🏹 would definitely like to see you send some arrows flying man 🎯 best wishes

[@lucfxgambitgaming7494]

Satisfying video dude , actually insipiring me to get into log splitting. All my life i've chosen two handed weapons in games and have a bit of irl axe experience from childhood. Tiring business. Btw those are some nice working jeans and boots and I want to carry myself at work with the same swag, at my warehouse the ratio is like 1 guy for every 10 women so this is kind of a big deal, can you please tell me their name?

[@jasonmooney1688]

So what axe do you prefer to use?

[@Country_Swagger]

Try putting lock-tite on your screws bro

[@andrewm1676]

Does he ever burn this for camp fires

[@reubenlibby6652]

Would you say the inward curved handle is better or just different?

[@ThorenBradley]

If it’s better it’s like maybe by 2%. I like it a lot. But I can’t confidently claim it’s noticeably better. This axe can split amazingly though. So I have to at least attribute that, to great design.

[@reubenlibby6652]

​@@ThorenBradley That's about what I thought, I have an old 13lb maul head I was thinking about putting an adze handle on, it would be fairly similar. The Log Splitter looks like it works great but I have to say I like the look of Helko's Heavy Universal Axe better, I've always favored a thinner profile.

[@barrymantelli8011]

spoiler alert, it breaks in a future video

[@leeward6762]

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder...thats the ugliest ax I've ever seen...also some of the hardest wood :)

[@palpichulo6969]

Purple or red locktite for the bolts?

[@borntoclimb7116]

2:06 those bolts are a weakpoint

[@blakecrosslin92]

Lumberjacks and toothless axe men all across the world asking how this guy took there hardy work into an occupation women search for on porn sites

[@mrmister6140]

What's a good maul to start off with for beginners?

[@carljohnson3434]

Fiskars 8lb 36" wood splitting Maul is a great starter and inexpensive @ only $80 USD.

[@ThorenBradley]

Probably a fiskars Isocore maul! Great warranty

[@melanietopal1677]

You're amazing Sweetheart ❤

[@keithgraver5482]

Lock tight = fixed

[@johnsmall9]

Can you just use thread locker

[@ThorenBradley]

Yup! Blue loctite

[@lanehartwig6917]

Anyone else split rounds in half and stop there?

[@robertcorona1768]

Is any of the wood you ever split pine?

[@seanpenn4405]

If it splits hard wood like oak, it'll wreck pine or other soft wood no problem

[@Nunya-gk9fr]

@@seanpenn4405oak blew the handle on mine apart

[@sabitaristocrat1936]

Please tell us how much it weighs?!

[@Nunya-gk9fr]

It’s like 8 1/2 lbs

[@Silverphoenix36912]

Don't bring service to the woods.

[@seanpenn4405]

All these dudes commenting how women are watching your videos... i think you might have some male "admirers" too 😂

[@jaredyoung5353]

Pass

[@user-sz2pe3eb8p]

Такого топора нет у девочки лесоруба

[@needy3535]

i think i hauve covid

[@thaschwartz]

Get some duct tape

[@1000100SER]

я большие тюльки начинаю скраю так легче колоть

[@zayarnaing]

I thought this is axe review but why more women were watching it? 🤨

[@blakeg7062]

This guy can’t make up his mind. In one video he’s literally saying he’s done with this axe. It breaks every other time he uses it. And now he gives it a 9.2? I’m not sure this guy has good judgment, or at least memory recall.

[@ThorenBradley]

Nah the posting timelines are just jumbled on youtube. These reviews of this axe came from tiktok....the lowest scores and issues given....are the most recent. The axe needs design work...and it is not my favorite axe

[@ryanpinto4613]

Can’t beat a fiskars from a price point durability and warranty and don’t have to be as strong as Thor to split rounds lol 😅

[@50margar]

Wow just read that you are married. How does your wife feel about all of your worshipping female fans? You guys should do vids together.

[@MaxPrime80]

Or maybe hollow out a small cavity and put magnetic slide 🤷‍♂️ Like guns used to have cleaning kits in butt stock 😎

[@user-qu6tn8pr1p]

you need 2 setters so you can keep going

[@CloudfeatherRusticWorks]

"Most beautiful axe I've ever seen." Dude, that thing is ugly as fuck. Tell us you're getting free shit without telling us you're getting free shit. Lol