Can anyone recommend a good make and model of fireman's axe? This is something that I've wanted to get for a very long time, and I'm not looking to buy a piece of junk just because it looks nice and has a low price. I want to get something that's built for standing up to hard, rigorous use.
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Seeking a fireman's axe
- Thread starter Charlie_K
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Square_peg
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Does it need to fit with a halligan bar?
Mann Edge Tool supplied a huge number of good fire axes over the decades. Council Tools still makes some good fire axes. Many fire districts are buying those. Individual firefighters and a few departments are buying some higher end fire axes like these.
www.firefighteraxe.com
Collectors seek the old Collins-Seagrave fire axes.
Council Tools has recently introduced a new forcible entry fire axe that marries to their halligan bar. It's 4140 which increases toughness at the expense of some edge retention.
Mann Edge Tool supplied a huge number of good fire axes over the decades. Council Tools still makes some good fire axes. Many fire districts are buying those. Individual firefighters and a few departments are buying some higher end fire axes like these.
Pickhead Axe - 6lb. | Fire Axe Inc.
Identical to the original 'Seagrave Axe', the 6 lb Head is mirror polished steel and measures 12" long, including the 5" Pick. Mounted on your choice of handle.
www.firefighteraxe.com
Collectors seek the old Collins-Seagrave fire axes.
Council Tools has recently introduced a new forcible entry fire axe that marries to their halligan bar. It's 4140 which increases toughness at the expense of some edge retention.
So an update.
I ordered a Council Tools fire axe, because the price was right for my budget. 6 pound head, 5" cutting edge with a back spike.
The only problem is I ordered one with a 36" handle, and they sent me one with a 32" handle.
Trying to ship it back via UPS for a refund or exchange is going to cost a small fortune on my end. I suppose I can rehang it on a 36" handle if the current one breaks. But finding good wood handles can be hard.
I ordered a Council Tools fire axe, because the price was right for my budget. 6 pound head, 5" cutting edge with a back spike.
The only problem is I ordered one with a 36" handle, and they sent me one with a 32" handle.
Trying to ship it back via UPS for a refund or exchange is going to cost a small fortune on my end. I suppose I can rehang it on a 36" handle if the current one breaks. But finding good wood handles can be hard.
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Square_peg
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Agreed! I would consider the 32" handle a bonus.
You may be right about that. So last night I peeled off the labels, and lightly sanded the handle smooth with some 200 grit sandpaper. I plan on staining it later with some antique walnut so it's not simple bare wood. Although I'm also tempted to paint the handle red and poly it so it looks more the part.
Hickory n steel
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I would advise against poly and paint if you intend to make use of it, the handle will give you some serious blisters if you do.
I guess that makes sense. Maybe just stick with a few coats of antique walnut.
Hickory n steel
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Give it some good coats of BLO and it'll darken up some, it'll also age nicely with use.
Theres nothing wrong with using stain and it's not gonna hurt anything though.
I would go with pine tar. Not the thick paste like is used on bats but the liquid that is found at farm supply stores. You can either mix it with or use it by its self. Heat helps the wood to absorb the tar. Despite the tar being black it will turn the woods golden color and it’s more beneficial than a stain.
So I looked. And I couldn't find pine tar locally. Or boiled linseed oil for that matter. I checked three different stores and they don't have it. So I was stuck with the Minwax. They didn't even have that, so I was stuck using an old can I've had for years.
I need a darker stain.
I need a darker stain.