My dad bought me the vario 2000 a few years ago as a gift. I love the way it feels in my hand and the way it swings. On no knot wood it works very well. I did have 2 bad experiences with it and now it sits on the shelf still broken. The head itself is held to the handle through a guard bracket with 2 bolts that thread into the axe head. one of the bolts broke off inside the head. I decided after I inspected the other bolt that the 2 bolts came loose a little and I didn't strike square and caused the one to snap off. So, I take over to the machine shop to get it drilled out and retapped. I order 2 new bolts from Helko and proceed with the installation. I repeatedly check to make sure the bolts stay tight this time but within a month the same thing happened again, another broken bolt. Just decided it wasn't worth the aggravation.