a useable fireman axe

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why165

Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Messages
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as the subject says im in search of a smith to make a usable firemans axe. i am profesional fireman who is very tired of 15 lbs axes. i have a design in mind and need a smith to polish the idea and make it for me. any help in locating such a smith would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
matt
 
Any merit in thinning an existing fire axe? Reduce the blade width by a 1/2 - 3/4 inch, shorten the blade and pare the overall thickness down some. 10 years ago a neighbour showed me a timber cruiser-sized fire axe. It had been a production item (a vintage Walters no less) with a cruiser-sized straight handle. They do exist!
 
I will look into Liam, thanks
As for thinning one down, I need to be able to hammer with this as well as cut. So I'm unsure about this one, but I'll go look into it as it never crossed my mind to look at it that way.
Thanks,
Matt
 
why165 said:
I will look into Liam, thanks
As for thinning one down, I need to be able to hammer with this as well as cut. So I'm unsure about this one, but I'll go look into it as it never crossed my mind to look at it that way.
Thanks,
Matt
Click to expand...

Pretty difficult to hammer with a conventional fire axe as it is unless you're swinging it flat instead of on edge.
 
Well! If flat/square poll qualifies for your needs then you'll want to scout out a rafting/miner/construction axe. These are as durable as it gets (the polls are hardened) and the heads tend to be 4-5 lb. Council Tools made these until recently (2008?) so maybe you want to contact them. Plus Council continues to make fire axes and might possibly be enticed to make a 'one off'.
 
There is a young Canadian smith, Paul Krzyszkowski, who has become very fond of axe making, and getting busier all the time it would seem. He has a website; http://www.torontoblacksmith.com/ or you can visit his fb page.
He took the time to make me an ax last fall.

I might suggest coming up with a rudimentary print of what you have envisioned. Obviously you have very specific ideas of what you need, good luck.
 
I follow Liam and Paul both on Instagram, and either fellow should be able to make you a darn good ax.
 
With regard to 'made in USA' and affordable, visit the Council Tools website and that of Barco Industries. Both offer flat poll (spikeless) 3-4 lb axes that are specifically designated as Fire Axes.
 
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