JRigoni Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I've been commissioned to make a pick head axe for a co-worker at the fire station. I've looked at several pick head axes here and find them a little large in regards to the axe eye, almost 1" wide, and 2 1/2" in length. My concern is since I will be using wood instead of fiberglass, the handle would become too wide/unwieldy at the top. The shape on these is a stretched oval. Has anyone tried a D shape or some other variety for a large felling axe? I've forged drifts for hammers and smaller hatchets, but nothing this large yet. He wants his axe a pound lighter than the ones here, so that would put it at 6lbs. I am forging the axe from a solid piece of 4140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I know nothing about pick head axes so cannot answer your question directly…but the thought occurs that if your colleague wants a lighter axe, could you just modify a heavier one by stock removal? No forging fun opportunity obviously, but probably the most economic solution. The handles (and eye) would then be standard and readily replaceable...Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Typicaly the "fire axe" uses a standard fellig ax handle, and one dosnt want a smallish eye with a wooden handle as thats wear it breaks. Personaly I would have preferd the handle from a double bitted axe. I think the handle is stronger for using the "pick" as a pry bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I agree with CRS! Of anything a larger handle would be better. You also want to make it a standard size as in that use the handle will need to be replaced on a regular basis and special handles are a pain to source or modify! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Look at the "polaskie" used by brush fire crews, using the pick for more than popping tires (like diging threw a brick warehouse wall) the classic goats foot hadle is a PITA. Many fire fighters also like either a 3# 3/4 axe or a 2# hand axe. ( the pick ads a bit of weight) blade profiles also sould be considerd, a thin blade is for cutting green hardwood wile a thiker wedge like blade is used for everything else (cutting threw rooves to ventilate, front windshilds during an extracation ect.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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