The Pulaski Axe Proves Simple Is as Simple Does

You won't hang it on your wall, but it'll get the job done

August 28, 2017 9:00 am

Late U.S. Forest Service Ranger “Big” Ed Pulaski is best remembered for three things:

The man joined the Forest Service in 1908 at the ripe age of 40. During the Great Fire of 1910, he saved the lives of 45 men in Idaho. And he was so haunted by the deaths of the five men he couldn’t save that he built his own life-saving tool

Designed by the much-celebrated Ranger following the events of 1910, the Pulaski Axe combines the functions an axe and a hoe in order to allow its bearer to chop, dig or clear obstructions with the flip of a wrist.

Described by firefighters as “balanced and useful and compact enough that it can be carried everywhere,” the original Pulaski was crafted by the man in his personal blacksmith shop.

Pulaski Axe (4 images)

Built from carbon steel and beech wood, the rendition seen here — from Outdoors goods supplier Barebones Living — is large (24” x 12” and 5.5 pounds) and features a traditional axe head as well as the horizontal blade that makes the tool stand out from the pack.

Originally available for $135, Huckberry currently has a sheathed version of the axe for $110.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.