Irons???????

[MalteseMonster]

How do you marry the axe and the halligan together? Do you use straps, or do you just slide them in place? Also is there a certain placement needed to keep them together....

[E229Lt]

Wow, tough question.

I'd say place the fork over the axe blade and place the axe handle inside the adz and the claw/hook. Don't use straps, you'll lose them at the first job and don't carry them on your shoulder. Hold the handles of both in your hand squeezing them together with the axe head up and the axe handle forward under the thumb.

Anything else?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Originally posted by MalteseMonster
How do you marry the axe and the halligan together? Do you use straps, or do you just slide them in place? Also is there a certain placement needed to keep them together....

I am the commander/justice of the "piece"... I pronounce them axe and wife, then send them off to work with a trusted Jake or two!

On a serious note...what Artie aka E229LT said!

[MalteseMonster]

Wow I didn't no it was that easy, Wasn't sure if there was any cutting or grinding to do or what....Once again I leave the forums a wiser man..

[firefiftyfive]

Irons are the most amazing tools ever!!!!! I prefer to be the irons man whenever possible.
On the note of the straps that E229 brought up; they suck. My company has the straps the just go around the handles of each tool. I hate them, all they do is get in the way. As soon as I grab the irons I take the retarted strap off, the irons hold themselves together anyway. Not to mention I take them apart as soon as I grab them anyways.
Anyways... E229 summed up the whole shabang!!

[FlyingKiwi]

2nd option

Get bigger hands.

[ff7134]

Anyone heard of carrying a 8lbs sledgehammer instead of a flathead ax? I think that kind of limits you and defeats the purpose.

[Weruj1]

we got the flathead axe thing ................but I will admit with the right goon .........er truckie swingin it could get the job done.

[E229Lt]

Anyone heard of carrying a 8lbs sledgehammer

Many companies take the Maul and Halligan into occupancies with tough doors. Many have also welded a strip of steel to the top of the maul to accomodate the Adz of the Halligan for easy carrying.

[pullthehook150]

IMHO the sledge is one of the most under-utilized tools (around here at least), I cant tell you how many times I have watched guys beat away with a flathead when one swing of the 8 pound would have taken the door and probably brought most the frame with it.

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by pullthehook150
IMHO the sledge is one of the most under-utilized tools (around here at least), I cant tell you how many times I have watched guys beat away with a flathead when one swing of the 8 pound would have taken the door and probably brought most the frame with it.

I have to disagree with that. Not that the sledge is a bad tool. However is it first of all a fairly heavy and clumsy tool compared to an ax to carry IMO. But by crushing a door in like that you are forgetting one major component of forcible entry. DOOR CONTROL! If your bashing a door in with a slege you most likely won't be able to control that door.
Most of the time its the skill of the man forcing the door, not the size and brut force. Brains over braun!!! IMHO

THE sledege does however have it's place on the fireground!! EI: masonry wall or something like that.

[E229Lt]

Most of the time its the skill of the man forcing the door, not the size and brut force

Ah yes, FE can be Finesse Entry

[pullthehook150]

Door control was never my strong point...

[firefiftyfive]

Originally posted by pullthehook150
Door control was never my strong point...

MONGO want to break!!!!! lol understandable

[pullthehook150]

That about sums it up firefiftyfive, not something im proud of but put a destructive tool in my hand and im more than happy to use it

[Scratchy635]

Originally posted by firefiftyfive


MONGO want to break!!!!! lol understandable

Mongo like candy....

I could understand using a monster maul more to break a tough lock or soemthing... but in my humble opinion id rather have an ax and a k/r tool...

[12TruckIrons]

I prefer to replace the flat head axe with the 8 lbs maul. Yes its a couple pounds heavier but when you really need some force behind your blows it is irreplaceable. Try breaching a brick or block wall with a halligan and flat head and then try it again with the maul and halligan. The flat head has its place, mainly on the roof after all the power tools have failed, at least in my opinion. If the weight is the issue my God its just an extra 4 lbs.

[Skippy361]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents, #1 if you are teaming a 4lb. flat head axe with the haligan, you can stop now, you will never generate enough force to accomplish your goal of opening a locked door. The maul has its place, but if you use a 8lb. flat head you can do the job with much improved results. #2 if you are the forcible entry person or team, you must always remember that you need to control the door, if there is fire on the other side and the door has been demolished, you have no effective protection and you are exposing more of the structure to the destructiveness of the fire.
#3 I will agree that the flat head works well with roof openings, an 8lb flat head works wonders on roof decking.#4 can you use a maul as a wedge? Just my thoughts.

Skip

[ADSNWFLD]

I have to agree with 12TruckIrons and Skippy361 a 6 lb or lighter axe is worthless. A 8lb flat head is the minimum you should carry. I like the 8lb maul, it seems to go through newer residential roofs much better. For commercial a 10lb sledge is also nice.
Most important is make sure you have a good Halligan. Iowa American or the Pro Bar are teh best. No pins or fat wedges.
For carrying the maul or sledge with the halligan I have used a section of 3" hose, about 2' long. It is big enough to carry them securly and doesnt get lost as much as the straps. You may not see it again till overhaul but it usually shows up.

[ff7134]

I agree witht he 8lbs maul....the only one we had was on the irons on our ladder. So the guys from my company chipped in so we could buy one for our engine.