Lansky Sharpeners, with the help of firefighters on the job, introduced their version of a multi-tool for the fire service in the form of a stout, compact product called the Firefighter Battle Axe. For this month’s Gear Test, I took this tool to the field to determine whether its versatility and functionality would stand up to everyday firefighting tasks.
Right out of the box, it’s obvious that this tool is a solid piece of metal; it has a good feel to it and it has a “non-slip handle that’s insulated to 10,000 volts” (one area that I decided not to field test). The Battle Axe came with a leather scabbard that allowed the axe to be easily removed and replaced, and held it securely with a couple of snaps.
But at a little more than 15 inches long and just under 2 lbs. in weight, my first impression was that this would be a great tool for supportive tasks, such as securing gas valves, prying windows, etc., and should not replace the more standard size firefighting axe as a primary cutting tool or forcible entry/exit tool.
The first and probably most fun test I performed involved determining how well the axe functioned as an impact tool. The first material that I used for this test was glass that’s commonly found on the fireground: plate glass and tempered glass. Using the impact side of the axe, I broke both types of glass with ease, while the short length of the tool allowed for continuous control and simplified the task of clearing the remaining glass. Tip: Since the tool is short, it’s important to aim for a corner of the glass when striking, to prevent your hand from striking the glass as well. If the glass you’re breaking is recessed a few inches into a building, a longer tool may be a better fit, so your fingers don’t strike the building.
I then tested the impact side of the tool for tasks often conducted during vehicle extrication, when it’s common for the front windshield to be removed and/or cut. The Battle Axe worked very well when performing these tasks, and allowed swings to be short and controlled. The tool was small enough so that it could easily be handed off to another rescuer on the other side of the vehicle to complete the cut if necessary. It also worked very well when pulling plastic trim to expose airbags and the canisters that deploy them.
The Battle Axe features a built-in spanner wrench that worked very well. I started out by testing it with 1½” hose and worked my way up to 4″ supply line, and it fit all the couplings well. Note: Because only one wrench is built into the tool, tighter couplings may need to be placed on the ground with the coupling angled up, to break the coupling with ease.
The head of the Battle Axe comes with a gas valve wrench to shut off gas going into residential structures. I really liked the “cross” pattern that allowed the tool to be repositioned in the event that the ground and/or meter got in the way of the axe handle. The opening in the tool slid over the residential shut-off valves perfectly, but it’s about 1/16 of an inch too narrow to fit around commercial valves. Tip: Although you could easily remedy this with a Dremel Tool, before doing so I highly recommend contacting Lansky to see how this would affect the limited lifetime warranty that comes with this tool.
Another key feature of the Battle Axe: Its very top is beveled on one side and can be used as a pry bar. I first tested this portion of the tool on exterior security screens found on residential homes, and it worked well when separating the security door from the frame to open it up. Note: In security doors with a longer deadbolt throw, a long bar may be more useful. Once the security door was opened, the tool worked fairly well in forcing open lightweight doors, but again, the deadbolt may require something with more length for leverage.
The axe also worked well for forcing open lightweight windows, and it fit nicely into tight spaces to create a gap wide enough to jimmy the window open with another tool. Note: If using this tool to force open windows, keep in mind that its burly steel construction is no match for commonly found aluminum frames; damage to the window will more than likely occur.
When tested for its usefulness in vehicle extrication, the tool worked well when opening the gap between the doors of a lightweight car to allow for insertion of a set of spreaders’ tips. In cars with thinner-gauge metal hoods, the Battle Axe was able to bend up the corner enough to get a hoseline in the engine compartment or create access to secure the battery. In vehicles with heavier metal hoods, more leverage was needed and a longer tool would be more beneficial.
For my next test, I used the blade on common materials found on a fireground: OSB, plywood, and drywall (both ½” and 5/8″, type X). The Battle Axe was able to cut through both the OSB and plywood, but I highly recommend using an 8-lb. axe if any significant amount of these materials needs to be cut.
When it came to both types of drywall, the cutting portion of the axe worked perfectly. It was heavy enough to open up the walls, but lightweight enough to allow you to keep control of the tool and prevent any unnecessary damage.
On a safety note, and although I didn’t test this, it was nice to know that the tool was insulated against electricity in the event that a wall was breached and the power had not been secured. Important: I highly suggest securing power before opening walls/ceilings. Often, illegal power is wired to a house without firefighters’ knowledge.
Overall, I was pleased with the performance of Lansky’s Firefighter Battle Axe. Although this is not a tool that I would use for initial fire operations (ventilation, forcible entry/exit), it works very well for support functions and is functional enough to assist in vehicle extrications. The quality of this tool is excellent; it’s simple and well-built.
Sidebar: Firefighter Battle Axe
Pros
- Solid, burly metal design
- Insulated to 10,000 volts
- Length allows for continuous control
- Works well for breaking glass, cutting drywall
- Fits into smaller spaces when prying lightweight windows
Cons
- Not for use with ventilation, forcible entry/exit
- Won’t fit around commercial gas shut-off valves
- May damage aluminum window frames
Sidebar: Lansky Sharpeners
P.O. Box 800
Buffalo, NY 14231
Tel: 800-825-2675, 716-877-7511
Web: http://lansky.com
