Why Council Tool?

In 1886, John Pickett Council — farmer, avid outdoorsman, and tool inventor — founded the business that still bears his family's name. In the 1930s, the US Forest Service approached Council Tool about manufacturing tools to fight forest fires, leading to the development of the fire rake — known throughout the industry as the Council Rake and still offered in their current line. Today, Council Tool is led by the fourth and fifth generation of the Council family, with employees who cumulatively have over 600 years of tool-making expertise. Every tool is manufactured at their facility in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina. ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Built for the Art of Work

  • 100% Made in the USA

    Every Council Tool product is manufactured at their Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina facility by American workers. When you buy Council Tool, you're getting the highest quality hand tools available while supporting the US economy.

  • 138+ Years of Tool Making

    Founded in 1886, Council Tool is the oldest American-made axe company. Four generations of the Council family have refined their manufacturing methods and product lines while maintaining their dedication to premium-grade tools.

  • ISO 9001:2015 Certified

    Council Tool's manufacturing processes are ISO 9001:2015 certified — an international standard for quality management systems. This means consistent quality, documented processes, and continuous improvement across every product line.

  • Trusted by Fire Services Worldwide

    Council Tool has been supplying tools to the US Forest Service since the 1930s. Council Fire — their dedicated firefighting division — serves wildland agencies, municipal departments, and fire professionals around the world.

Wildland Firefighting Tools

Council Tool offers the country's premier line of heavy-duty, American-made tools for forestry applications and wildfire suppression. From the Pulaski — the workhorse of every fireline — to the McLeod, fire rake, rhino tool, and fire swatter, these are quality tools made to last in harsh environments. Flash carries Council Tool's wildland line alongside replacement handles, sharpening accessories, and the PPE and packs your crew needs on the line.

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Fireline Tools

  • Pulaski Axes

    The essential combination axe and grub hoe for fireline construction, mop-up, and trail building. Flash carries the 3.75 lb Forestry Service Pulaski with 42" fiberglass handle (NFES spec) and the 3.75 lb Pulaski with 36" straight hickory handle. Replacement hickory handles available separately.

  • McLeod Tool

    The standard fireline construction and trail maintenance tool — a combination rake and cutting blade on a long handle. Used for scraping mineral soil, cutting light brush, and raking debris to establish and maintain fireline. A must-have on every wildland engine and crew rig.

  • Rhino Tool

    A heavy-duty combination shovel and pick for digging in hard, rocky, or root-bound soil where standard shovels won't cut it. The solid-shank 38" handle provides leverage and reach for fireline construction in difficult terrain. Built for the conditions where other tools give up.

More Fireline Essentials

  • Fire Rake

    The original Council Rake — developed in the 1930s at the request of the US Forest Service and still an industry standard. A heavy-duty rake designed for clearing debris and exposing mineral soil during fireline construction. Available with 60" handle. Replacement handles available separately.

  • Fire Swatter

    A masticated rubber flap on a long handle for smothering ground fire, suppressing spot fires, and mop-up operations. Effective on grass fires and light fuels where water isn't immediately available. Replacement handles with ferrule available separately.

  • Combination Tool

    A multipurpose shovel and pick combination tool for digging, trenching, and prying in compact form. Versatile enough for fireline construction, structure protection site prep, and general field use where carrying multiple tools isn't practical.

  • Halligan Tool

    The TD30 Halligan — tuned and dressed, 30" overall length. A forcible entry tool for structural firefighting: pry, strike, and leverage in one piece. Council Fire's Halligan is built to the same precision manufacturing standards as their wildland line.

Axes, Hatchets & Accessories

Beyond fireline tools, Flash carries Council Tool's Classic Jersey Pattern single-bit axe (3.5 lb with 32" curved hickory handle and phantom bevels), the Flying Fox camping and throwing hatchet (1.625 lb with hardened poll and 16" curved hickory handle), the 16" double-edge ditch bank blade for clearing brush and maintaining access roads, and the dual grit sharpening puck (240/400 grit) to keep your edges in the field.

Replacement hickory handles are available for Pulaskis, fire rakes, fire swatters, and forest fire shovels — so you can keep your Council Tool heads in service for years.

Shop All Council Tools

Applications

  • Wildland Fire Agencies

    Pulaskis, McLeods, fire rakes, rhino tools, and fire swatters are standard-issue on wildland engines and crew rigs across North America. Council Tool has been supplying the US Forest Service since the 1930s — these tools are built for the fireline.

  • Municipal Fire Departments

    The Council Fire division serves structural firefighters with Halligan tools, forcible entry axes, and overhaul equipment. The same manufacturing quality and American-made commitment that wildland crews depend on, built for the municipal fire service.

  • Rural Property Owners

    Pulaskis and fire rakes for creating defensible space, clearing brush, and maintaining firebreaks around rural properties. When wildfire threatens, having the right hand tools on site can make the difference between holding your ground and losing it.

  • Trail Crews & Land Management

    Pulaskis, McLeods, and combination tools are the backbone of trail construction and maintenance. Council Tool serves forestry, parks, conservation, and land management professionals who need tools that hold up to daily use in rough terrain.

About Council Tool Company

Council Tool Company was founded in 1886 by John Pickett Council in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina — where it remains today. Now led by the fourth and fifth generation of the Council family, the company is still family-owned and family-managed, with majority stockholders in the office and on the plant floor every day. Council Fire — their dedicated firefighting division — supports municipal and wildland fire services around the world. ISO 9001:2015 certified, GSA contract holder, and 100% made in the USA.

Digital Catalogue

View or download the full Council Tool product catalogue to see their complete line of firefighting, forestry, axes, industrial, and landscaping tools.

View Digital Catalogue

Questions About Council Tool Products?

Contact our team for product details, pricing, or help selecting the right tools for your crew, department, or property. Flash carries Council Tool alongside the packs, PPE, pumps, hose, and equipment to outfit your entire operation.

Contact Our Team