See VIDEO The Triple Threat Axe:  An Introduction

Growing up, my favorite tool was my father’s old and unwieldly Pulaski.

Being a generalist by nature its multiuse properties appealed to me. With age and with a growing desire to own truly fine tools, it did not take long to realize there was no available similar tool I considered adequate for bushcrafting. It could be found for firefighting, gardening, and as a general item in hardware stores but they were not the eclectic tools suited for a lifetime of heavy and varied bushcraft use. Of the dozens of specialty axe makers, none made this implement and I decided in 2017 to begin the process of production. Numerous axe makers were contacted, both well-known and of obscure small town family forges. It was not an auspicious endeavor. Most did not respond. Others did and flaked out. That all changed in late 2018 when a series of events lead me to an experienced blacksmith not far from my home in Northwest Montana. It also was not a favorable beginning, as his colleague’s large dog bit me in the ass as I walked into his shop for the first time. Seriously. With the application of a tourniquet to my mid-section we got down to business. As I started down my long list of tough interview questions for him he cut me off and said “Look, I strive for beauty at every stage of production”.  The maker of this original tool was thus determined. After weeks of discussion and deliberation, prototypes were made in early 2019. Much trial and tweaking followed and the Triple Threat head, in two sizes, was finalized in the Fall of 2020.

The handle followed a similar convoluted course to finality. Numerous companies were contacted and way down the road I went with some. Finally, Bowman Handles, a family company willing to embark on a lengthy back and forth of prototyping was found. Excellent, straight-grained hickory with a taper matching that of the head eye was eventually created and a solid partnership was forged. What a pleasure to work with those that do what they say they will do.

Attention was then turned to the handle finish. Many chemicals, processes and combinations were researched and experimented with, including Linseed oil, Tung oil, and various lacquers, varnishes and urethanes. A 50/50 mixture of Tung oil and Varathane polyurethane was decided on and the finish, including the burn process is being performed by an outstanding woodworking family in Columbia Falls, Montana.

And finally, the axe head sheath. Each Triple Threat comes with a custom, handmade leather sheath constructed by a master leatherworker, Dale Lane, in Polson, Montana. This item also followed a lengthy pattern of experimentation and Dale was ever willing to focus on refinement. What a pleasure to work with such a craftsman.

All the above has resulted is the finest utilitarian bushcrafting axe I can imagine. Triple Threat is a nod to my basketball upbringing:  A stance with the ball whereby one could dribble, shoot, or pass (although all I really did was shoot).  In one tool is the ability to cut, dig, and pound, with a paucity of sacrifice among the three:

1. Outstanding cutting ability. Felling up to medium sized trees is done efficiently given the extreme sharpness, durability of 4140 tool steel, and the blade grind. Splitting kindling may be performed at length given the modest head weight of both versions. Splitting larger pieces is also achievable given the general purpose grind geometry.  
2. The digging spade has dimensions lending to excellent balance and heft, and an optimal combination of penetration and earth movement in most soils. The steel toughness is such that repetitive percussion against rock, and use for prying are not to be avoided. No longer needed is the fashioning of rudimentary, easily blunted digging sticks. Digging up roots and cattails, leveling a place to sleep, excavating a fire pit, or the urgent act of a Twosy-hole are just some of the functions possible. The added weight and bulk of a shovel is no longer needed, even the really cool folding ones.
3. Pounding a wooden stake with the poll of an axe I’ve found to be not at all pleasurable, the stake or post of any size invariably splitting. Yet this function is important and not one I intended to lose with the addition of the digging spade and in fact this function has been enhanced. The side of the eye is flattened and fortified for percussive uses. The axe head eye is beastly. This allows for a formidable two handed strike to drive a post on which to tether snares, or provide structure for a shelter. The driving of a peg or stake flush with the ground is also achievable.  

As mentioned above, much experimentation was given to the handle. With a standard “wedge-fit” axe handle the risk of head loosening is real, with repetitive wet/dry cycles. I wanted to eliminate the chance of this occurring, especially given its use for digging and pulling, hence the drop in, “jam-fit” handle, of premium hickory. The large eye was engineered with a fine taper for solid coupling. With each order, the head is individually custom fitted to its respective handle, and denuded areas from the fitting process refinished.

Head migration down the handle with overhead use is a possibility and is precisely the reason why this handle configuration primarily has been reserved for tools used below the waist. The risk however I consider remote with the Triple Threat with its custom fitting and a solid seating.

Advantages of the jam-fit handle include:  Having “take down” capability for packing or transport; the handle is thick and the eye formidable resulting in unrivaled strength; if need be, a new handle could be fashioned in the field, and dropped in; and different length handles can be used interchangeably with the two different head sizes offering modularity.

The two Triple Threat sizes are of similar geometry, but with different dimensions and weight. The eye of each is the same, allowing for interchangeability of different handle lengths:

Denizen: At 3.75 pounds (head and handle) and 27” overall length a tremendous amount of work and array of function is available. Its balance and size however lend itself to being your mobile partner. Comes with an individually handmade leather sheath.  

Nomad: This variety weighs 2.5 pounds (head and handle) and has a 15.5” overall length. With this length and engineering the amount of work capable with this tool is alarming. I felled a 9 inch diameter solid tree in 4 minutes with the original prototype. The average man could probably do it in 3 minutes. Comes with an individually handmade leather sheath. 

The Triple Threat fits perfectly with my vision of all DeEvolution products:  Very select offerings, thoughtfully designed, constructed, researched and sampled over a prolonged period, each with functional eclecticism at their essence, and of extreme heirloom quality.  Your Triple Threat will come with a personalized Certificate of Authenticity. 

The heads are made individually by one man. It is not a quick process. It may be just days depending on inventory, but please anticipate up to several weeks for delivery. I assure you, the whip will not be spared as I want them in your hands and on your hip as soon as possible.