An Axe - Seriously?

[Fish]

Here we go, As I mentioned here are pictures of my Paratech Top Cut axe, its matching Hoolian tool, and my Biel rescue tool

Ah, The Irons.

The flat head axe and Halligan bar (Married together and called The Irons) are the staple of forcible entry in most of the US fire service. The Halligan was invented in 1948 by Chief Hugh Halligan of the FDNY. His originals have his name in the casting and go for around $1K on eBay. I blew my chance to grab one for cheap around 10 years ago. Grrrrr.

The Halligan is designed to be able to be struck or pry in three different directions. Great tool. The Hooligan you have is a take off to avoid the Halligan name.

 

[TangoBlue]

Is that like saying overkill is good? If so, I gotcha covered...Not shown is my Paratech Top Cut axe, I'll get a picture of that later, yes, that's 3 axes, and a hatchet.

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You are my hero... and a fine Canadian!

 

[Fireman78]

Halligans are the BEST. Absolutely the best tool to have to pop open a door, regardless of how its made, even "security" wrought iron doors.... Pair a Halligan with a flat head axe and you can do just about anything. . ... I remember quite a few years ago a couple cops that worked the same district I did asked me if I could "get them a few Halligans"....... not sure whatever happened to those requests actually. :sombrero:

 

[plainjaneFJC]

1

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Might be similar to the Woodsman Pal in utility.

I bought it based on recommendations here and OJ. But so far, I'm not that impressed. It seems to work really well on fast growing softwood brush. Basically jungle, which it was designed for.

But it does not cut hardwood brush very efficiently. It can't even get through a 1/4" stick of hardwood across the grain. You have to cut at about 45°, which has other issues...

I also find it's use slightly dangerous. To try to use it efficiently, requires broad, wild swings. When those swings are at 45° to a stick, there's a chance it will glance off. It's just not a great situation.

I'm still learning to use it, maybe there's a better technique. But at this point, I still prefer a hatchet for anything over 1", and just leave the little stuff alone.

OJ as in Simpson. That tool could have done the job!!!

 

[762X39]

The Woodsman Pal is a great tool for clearing brush (as advertised). It is not an axe but a pretty good tool none the less. I guess it depends on where you are and what is in your way.

I almost forgot, Katherine purchased a Brasilian made Machete for me over 20 years ago that is also awesome (takes a decent edge and cuts through brush really well). Since I hunt and bush-whack quite a bit I find it to be a must carry (probably scares the crap out of canoeist in Temagami when I run into them...).

Yeah, cutting through hard brush is typically at about 45 degrees. I have never found that to be an issue.

 

[mogwildRW1]

I have a Woodsman's pal, Either its user error (possibly ) Or IMO its a POS. I have a heavy clever I carry that is more effective on branch's. I'd give it away if I didn't feel bad about giving away crap tools

 

[mogwildRW1]

Interesting history, thanks for that, I love learning that kind of stuff.

Ah, The Irons.

The flat head axe and Halligan bar (Married together and called The Irons) are the staple of forcible entry in most of the US fire service. The Halligan was invented in 1948 by Chief Hugh Halligan of the FDNY. His originals have his name in the casting and go for around $1K on eBay. I blew my chance to grab one for cheap around 10 years ago. Grrrrr.

The Halligan is designed to be able to be struck or pry in three different directions. Great tool. The Hooligan you have is a take off to avoid the Halligan name.

I guess that's why it comes "Married" with that big @$$ flat head axe

Halligans are the BEST. Absolutely the best tool to have to pop open a door, regardless of how its made, even "security" wrought iron doors.... Pair a Halligan with a flat head axe and you can do just about anything. . ... I remember quite a few years ago a couple cops that worked the same district I did asked me if I could "get them a few Halligans"....... not sure whatever happened to those requests actually. :sombrero:

 

[proper4wd]

Estwing makes the best axe for your dollar. One-piece bit and steel handle, cushioned at the bottom. Great value at around $35 for the 26" handle version.

I also am one who carries a chain saw in the truck about 75% of the time that I am in the woods. This stems from an experience I had where we traveled deep into the woods on a single-track type trail one night, camped, and endured an unexpected windstorm. In the morning, our only path out of the woods was blocked by a blowdown. Husqvarna saved the day and got us out of a dangerous situation.

I actually used to have a scabbard mounted to the front bumper of my Jeep because it would get used so often, particularly in springtime clearing winter blowdowns. Clear tree, drive 40 feet. Clear tree, drive 30 feet. Clear tree... you get the point.

 

[john101477]

Thats awesome

 

[WCO]

This may have been covered somewhere in this thread already, I didn't feel like reading 25 pages of how to kill zombies (self proclaimed expert in the murder and dismemberment of zombies) but I did want to say something in a more serious fashion:

I have seen where people drill holes in the handles/heads of axes or other tools to mount them....please please PLEASE never do this, you significantly weaken the tool, which is kind of a big deal when the centrifical force of a 4lb axe head can turn it into a widowmaker.....

 

[computeruser]

I'd rather split my firewood with a hydraulic splitter and take some with me as opposed to spending my evenings in camp chopping... Obviously, my approach has drawbacks... But a lot of where I travel doesn't have suitable fuel wood laying around, so I find myself almost always taking some wood with me. Maybe I am just strange like that...

-JM

There are a lot of places where you cannot or should not bring your firewood with you, due to concerns of spreading pests (notably Emerald Ash Borer) into areas yet unaffected by it. So an ax, saw, etc, comes in handy.

I haven't found a lot of use for an ax, but at least one person in the group usually ends up having one anyway. A good machete and hatchet and arborist-type hand saw usually get the job done for me.

 

[762X39]

There are a lot of places where you cannot or should not bring your firewood with you, due to concerns of spreading pests (notably Emerald Ash Borer) into areas yet unaffected by it. So an ax, saw, etc, comes in handy.

Not to hijack a thread about axes but bringing firewood in from elsewhere is a serious no no. In Ontario they have signs up on the major highways regarding this.Destroying a forest due to imported bugs is totally not cool and once the bugs are in, they don't leave till they have finished the job.

 

[owhiting]

Axe

I have never had much luck with a bow saw. Of course mine were probably made in china so not the best quality. But by the time I get it out of the vehicle and stab my self a few times while installing the blade that has rusted from being stored improperly, they never cut worth a ----!. With an axe I can chop of some small dry branches to get a fire going, i can split or chop bigger stuff and I have used the back side(head) of my axe to hammer my steering tie rod straight again once upon a time on 21 road. Used it on a bent rim once also.

 

[78Bronco]

When I camp I bring an axe. Living in Canada I am not permitted to carry a firearm for zombies.

The axe has many uses whereas a bowsaw has just one. The axe I have has a plastic composite handle and 5 lb head. It makes short work of splitting, tent spikes, bent sheet metal, etc.