I recently purchaseda halligan bar manufactured by the leatherhead tool company. After a couple months of work and training with this tool I thought I would share some thoughts and experiences. All things considered this is a high quality tool, but in my opinion its no substitute for the probar. Take a look at the pictures below and see what I have to say about this bar, and take a look at some of the modifications I have made to the tool.
The Adz of this tool is well shaped and in the classic dimensions of the halligan tool. In this picture you can see the 1 3/4" mark I made to help measure the depth while forcing a door. This picture also shows that even though this tool is forged it does not appear to be a one piece forge. A substantial weld secures this bar's pike to the rest of the tool.
The fork of this bar is not to fat or bulky. I added the 1 3/4" mark to this part of the tool too. I also squared off the shoulders for close striking situations.
The curve of this tools Adz is very different from other Halligan style bars. You can see that it curves up and out from the shaft of the bar. The manufacturers tout this as a design feature, but I had some problems with it. While striking the bar to set the forks in an inward swinging door the my striking fire fighter had difficulty delivering a clean blow to the tool. This added curve deflected several of his shots causing the tool to vibrate delivering less force to the door.
This is the first picture I shot of my new bar. I was shocked to find the presence of a weld around the pike end of the tool.
all things considered this is definaitly one of the better halligan bars on the market.
these opinions are mine alone and do not relflect any of the agencies I work with. also, I purchased this tool with my personal $.
