Boats, the small hand fire axes are very popular on boats where clearance is tight. The lightest weight ones are popular on large airplanes. I think I have seen this ax hanging on the wall of an airplane.
I need to make a new fire ax for my department. We need an ax that is good for working off a ladder.
Heavy and strong as is practical for one hand use but no larger.
The main reason being needing to get into a gable vents or just gables at times. Either for direct access or smoke venting so we can see what we are doing elsewhere.
I am wondering about the best dimensions. The department, except for the chief, is all volunteer. The chief spends more of his own money than they pay him though.
We should have plenty of strong young men, but mostly we have old and semi crippled men. Ahhh what the hell, we're a damsight better than nuthin.
So the ax I am thinking.............. fairly short handle, maybe 14-16", and stubby bit, med length spike bit, maybe 3 pounds all in?? Think I can go 3 1/2??
3 pounds already seems pushing it, one handed, for my regular crew?
But closer to 2 you are into regular camp or house hatchet and that is not effective enough in a crisis.
Flue fires, starting in fall and all the way through spring, have us in attics every year.
Most people use woodstoves for heat. We are hours away from natural gas. Both electricity and propane are ghastly expensive heat here. So we all still use wood stoves.
Wood is running about $200 a cord average. We all know what a cord really is. Not like other places where its this decorative occasional thing. We know wood. Its 4' x4' x 8' stacked tight. Assuming standard 16" firewood, that is three rows pilgrims, not two rows!!
I like mine stacked in my own woodshed for at least a year, if it was decent to start with. Otherwise it needs to be seasoned for 2 years.
I'll use 3 cords and a bit more this year.
2/3 hardwood and 1/3 softwood is how I roll.
PS, please sweep your flue!! Do it early and do it often.
I don't want to see you unless its over a beer.
yours Scott
