I've been on Memphis fire department for 20 years, fought more fires in 1 month than most see in a carrier. I build and fabricate things all the time. I've seen axes through the years and never liked them. As soon as I saw this one I had to have it because I know what works.

TLDR: Good tool, Grip tape the handle. We run a Badaxx on our first due pumper. In the first 6 months of operations we had multiple injury reports due to the tool slipping during operation. Once we corded and grip taped the handle she has been an excellent addition to my operations...

It's just as gimmicky as it looks. You don't end up using the hydrant wrench and bailout handle cutouts at all, it has limited forcible entry capabilities because it still requires you to use a halligan with it so you're basically just replacing the traditional ax with a heavier tool that resembles an ax. Haven't used it on a roof yet but I don't see myself using this (or any ax for that matter) to cut a hole in 2017. We have power saws now. I know what you're thinking. Saws can choke out, in which case I'll just get another saw. Finally, this thing is way overpriced. They're clearly trying to pay off the start-up because it's aluminum and steel. Gimme a break. I wish my dept. would return it for a refund. Oh and P.S., your hands will go numb from the lack of shock absorption. Even wit gloved hands, it hurts every time you make contact while forcing doors