You’ve decided to buy a kneeling chair. You search online and are faced with a stark choice: the “ONLY original” Varier Variable Balans (ASIN B07TDNZS7Z) for 350, or a dozen “similar” chairs for 90.
They look almost identical. But, as user marcus estes happily concluded, they are not: “it’s worth it – I’m happy I bought the original and not a cheap knockoff!”
The difference isn’t just branding; it’s fundamental engineering. And the easiest way to spot it is what I call The “Crossbar” Test.
The “Crossbar” Test: How to Spot a Fake
Look at the wooden runners on a cheap, $90 knockoff. You will almost _always_ see an extra, horizontal piece of wood—a “crossbar”—connecting the front and back runners near the floor.
Now look at the Varier Variable Balans. It doesn’t have one.
Why the “Original” (Varier) Doesn’t Need One
This isn’t an aesthetic choice; it’s a materials science choice.
* The “Knockoff”: Uses cheap, brittle, or stiff wood (like basic pine). This wood has no “flex” and would snap under pressure. The crossbar is added as a crude, cheap brace to keep the whole thing from falling apart.
* The “Original”: Is made from “the most flexible and strongest wood on the market”—laminated Beech wood. This is a hard, elastic wood that is steam-bent into shape. This material is so strong _and_ flexible that it “needs no additional crossbar.”
Why That “Crossbar” _Ruins_ the Chair’s Function
Here is the most important part: that crossbar _kills_ the chair’s entire purpose.
The whole point of Peter Opsvik’s 1979 design is “active sitting.” The chair is supposed to follow your body’s natural movement, allowing for “gentle rocking motions.” This “rocking” or “flex” comes from the _elasticity of the wooden runners_.
The crossbar on the knockoff _locks_ the runners in place. It turns a dynamic, flexible, “active” chair into a static, rigid, “dead” stool. You aren’t buying the same product; you are buying a _neutered_ version of it.
The Value: A 10-Year Guarantee vs. a 90-Day Gamble
Varier is so confident in its superior beech wood engineering that it provides a 10-year guarantee on the wooden parts. The $90 knockoff? You’ll be lucky to get 90 days.
Conclusion: You’re Paying for the “Active”
When you buy the original Varier, you are not just paying for a “name.” You are paying for the materials science (flexible beech wood) that allows for the core function (“active” rocking) and the peace of mind (a 10-year warranty).
The knockoff saves you money by removing the chair’s most important feature.
