Findings'and'analysis'of'the''tes0ng'process'of'the''MAXXIMUS'REXX''

from'Fire'Hooks'Unlimited'

As'performed'by''

Sean'Wilson'and'ScoA'Gardner'of' SEARCH & DESTROY FIRE TRAINING

The'Historical'Perspec0ve'Being'a'student'of'fire'service'history'was'helpful'for'me'in'

thinking'about'and'tes0ng'the'Maxximus'Rexx.'''

When'the'original'halligan'bar'was'introduced'in'the'1940s,'it'was'a'hardQsell'to'some'firemen.''Some'thought'that'it'was'too'light'to'be'effec0ve'and'would'likely'break'under'heavy'use,'and'that'it'could'never'compete'with'the'shorter'and'much'mea0er'Kelly'Tool.''

Seems'funny'NOW'that'Chief'Halligan'had'an'uphill'baAle'trying'to'sell'one'of'the'greatest'fire'tools'ever'invented.''Telling'a'bunch'of'skep0cal'firemen:''“Yes,'I'know'it’s'an'ugly,'funnyQlooking'tool….but'it'works,'I'swear'to'God!”.''''

Firemen,'for'all'their'good'quali0es,'are'not'known'for'being'quick'to'accept'new'ideas.''For'that'reason,'I'did'my'best'to'be'openQminded'myself,'and'put'my'own'skep0cism'to'the'side'momentarily.'

Introduc0on'Bob'Farrell,'the'owner'of'Fire'Hooks'Unlimited,'asked'us'to'help'him'test'his'newest'tool:'

the'Maxximus'Rexx.''We'were'asked'to'put'it'through'its'paces,'see'what'we'thought'of'it,'and'do'our'best'to'“destroy'it”.'

What'follows'are'the'results'of'SEARCH & DESTROY FIRE TRAINING’s'extensive'tes0ng'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx,'as'prepared'for'the'manufacturer.''This'expanded'version'of'the'report'includes'all'posi0ve'and'nega0ve'findings,'our'unabashed'opinion'of'the'tool’s'individual'components'and'of'the'tool'as'a'whole,'and'addi0onal'pictures'and'descrip0ons'for'interested'firefighters'and'fire'officers.''

In'all,'we'performed'over'200'conven0onalQforce'evolu0ons'and'over'40'lockQpulls,'in'addi0on'to'several'other'types'of'tests.'

Introduc0on'(cont’d)'In'this'analysis'report,'we'will'compare'the'func0on'and'individual'components'of'the''

Maxximus'Rexx'again'and'again'to'its'two'closest'cousins'(evolu0onarily'speaking):''

•  The'standard'30”'ProQBar''

•  The'standard'26”'Rex'Tool'

PART'ONE:''Individual'Components….what’s'changed?'

The'Steel'

The'Maxximus'and'Maxximus'Rexx'tools'have'been'forged'using'a'different'blend'of'steel'than'that'of'the'ProQBar.''Bob'Farrell'chose'to'use'a'blend'of'vanadium'4140'steel'that'is'proprietary'to'Fire'Hooks'Unlimited'(a'trade'secret).''This'steel'is'much'harder,'and'allows'for'a'thinner'fork'and'adz.''The'tool'is'then'chromed.'

Made'in'America'

From'Bob:'

“The%Pro)Bar%has%been%made%in%New%York%State%for%over%25%years,%and%I%have%used%the%same%%place%to%make%the%Maxximus….an%old)fashioned%foundry%run%by%guys%with%no%fingers,%but%sIll%%

the%best%in%the%business.%%The%original%halligan%was%made%in%Long%Island%City.%%Many%tools%in%the%U.S.%are%investment%casIng…not%bad,%but%not%as%good%as%drop%forging.%%The%Maxximus%and%

Lock)Slot%8%Axe%are%drop%forged,%not%a%casIng.%%There%are%many%standards%of%4140%steel%%throughout%the%world.%%The%mix%of%the%steel%varies%from%country%to%country.%%The%steel%in%the%

USA,%Canada,%and%Germany%(their%tanks%were%supreme)%is%the%best.%%Heat)treaIng%is%done%as%a%%complement%to%the%structure%to%get%the%most%out%of%the%tool.%%Many%special%blends,%like%mine,%is%%

private%informaIon%that%goes%to%the%grave,%like%Chief%Halligan%did.”%

The'Fork'To'say'that'the'fork'has'been'improved'is'an'understatement.''It'has'been'improved'in'

almost'every'possible'way.'

As'you'can'see'in'the'below'pictures,'the'more'slender'fork'allows'for'a'slightly'more'aggressive'curvature'without'making'toolQset'more'difficult.''This'more'aggressive'curvature'creates'approximately'¼”'addi0onal'spread'between'door'and'frame'when'performing'a'forkQside'force'on'an'inwardQswinging'door.'

GapQlines'and'setQlines'have'been'preQground'into'the'fork,'requiring'no'modifica0on'by''the'user.'

The'Fork'(cont’d)'

The'length'of'the'fork'when'measured'from'the'shoulder'to'the'forkQ0p'has'been'increased'by'approximately'3/8”'(from'6”'to'6Q3/8”).''However,'the'distance'from'the'forkQ0ps'to'the'termina0on'of'the'opening'(the'“crotch”)'remains'unchanged'at'4Q1/2”.''The'angle'of'the'opening'also'remains'unchanged.'''

This'addi0on'in'length'is'to'widen'the'opening'very'slightly'to'facilitate'the'use'of''the'fork'as'a'lockQpuller,'and'likely'to'compensate'for'the'slightly'more'aggressive''angle'of'the'bend'in'the'fork'(when'viewed'from'profile).'

The'Fork'(cont’d)'

The'forkQ0ps'are'more'slender,'have'a'constant'angle,'and'have'no'“ramp”'like'the'ProQBar….and'again'require'no'modifica0on'by'the'user.'''

Pro$Bar'

The'Fork'(cont’d)'

The'shoulders'of'the'fork'have'been'squared,'requiring'no'modifica0on'by'the'user.'

The'Fork'(cont’d)'

Two'blades'have'been'added'to'the'innerQangle'of'the'fork,'which'can'be'used'as'a'second'lockQpuller.'

Other'than'the'S&D'Rex'Tool,'I'don’t'know'of'another'commerciallyQavailable'tool'with'two'lockQpullers'installed'on'the'same'bar.'

The'Fork'(cont’d)'

A'raised'Fire'Hooks'Unlimited'logo'appears'on'the'curved'side'of'the'fork,'and'the'back'is'marked'with'the'number'“2014”'to'signify'the'first'full'year'of'produc0on.'

The'Adz'

The'harder'steel'allows'for'a'much'thinner'adz'than'that'of'the'ProQBar,'and'makes'possible'the'bifurca0on'of'the'adz'and'its'machined'lockQpuller.'''

The'adz'has'a'gapQline'preQground'into'both'edges,'and'requires'no'modifica0on'by'the'user.'

The'Adz'(cont’d)'

The'widest'por0on'of'the'adz'of'the'Pro'Bar'is'2”'wide.''The'widest'por0on'of'the'adz'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'2Q3/4”'wide.'''

The'adz'flares'out'on'one'side,'the'side'opposite'the'pike.''This'will'be'explored'fully'later'in'the'report.''

The'Adz'(cont’d)'

The'narrowest'por0on'of'both'the'adz'of'the'ProQBar'and'the'adz'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'1.5”'wide.'''

This'is'a'significant'factor'in'prying'and'will'be'explained'fully'later'in'the'report.'

The'Pike'

Our'tests'focused'far'less'on'the'pike'than'on'the'adz'and'fork,'but'overall'we’re'pleased'with'the'pike.''It'seems'largely'unchanged,'and'matches'the'pike'on'the'ProQBar'for'length'and'angle.''It'seems'slightly'thicker,'which'is'fine'with'us.'''

You’ll'no0ce'the'pike'on'the'ProQBar'in'these'pictures'(which'has'taken'much'use'and'abuse)'is'slightly'bent'near'the'end.''Due'to'the'harder'steel,'we'look'forward'to'giving'this'Maxximus'Rexx'the'same'abuse'without'distor0on.'

The'LiAle'Groove'I’ve'been'asked'a'number'of'0mes'about'this'liAle'groove'on'the'back'of'adz/pike'side'

of'the'tool.''I'admit,'I'was'kind'of'curious'about'this'myself,'as'the'ProQBar'doesn’t'have'one.''I'asked'Bob,'and'he'said'that'it'was'a'necessity'of'the'drop'forging'process.'''

Because'the'adz'is'so'slender,'the'groove'is'necessary'to'maintain'shioing'of'the'dies,'which'weigh'6500'lbs.'''

The'Rubber'Grip'

Bob'had'a'personal'friend'in'the'FDNY'get'shocked'recently'while'using'a'ProQBar'during'an'extrica0on'on'a'hybrid'vehicle.''Bob’s'thought'was'that'an'insulated'grip'would'at'least'lessen'the'chances'of'this'happening,'though'of'course'nothing'can'negate'the'possibility'altogether.'''

The'rubber'grip'is'insulated'up'to'24,000'volts.'

The'Shao'I'told'Bob'not'to'be'altogether'surprised'or'insulted'if'a'number'of'firefighters'who'

purchase'the'Maxximus'as'a'personal'tool'(“toolQnerds”,'like'me)'remove'the'grip.'''

Some'firefighters'prefer'a'naked'bar'or'their'own'par0cular'type'of'wrap.''If'desired,'the'grip'is'very'easily'and'quickly'(though'permanently)'removed'with'a'u0lity'knife.'

Weight'The'Maxximus'Rexx'weighs'about'a'pound'less'than'the'ProQBar.''This'is'a'great'benefit'as'

we'see'it.''The'slight'reduc0on'of'weight'makes'it'more'easily'heoed,'carried,'and'maneuvered'into'place'without'any'real'reduc0on'in'force'or'momentum'when'swinging'the'tool'forcefully.'''

We’ve'used'the'0tanium'halligans'made'by'Tico,'and'that'tool'was'just'too'light'to'be'effec0ve'as'a'baAering'ram'or'during'other'swinging'applica0ons,'such'as'shocking'the'door'or'spliqng'the'frame'with'the'baseballQball'technique.''The'Maxx'Rexx,'while'lighter,'is's0ll'a'substan0al'tool'with'a'good'heo'to'it.'''

Marriage'to'Other'Tools'

The'new'fork,'having'the'same'angle'(though'slightly'longer'fork)'s0ll'marries'well'to'striking'tools'commonly'used'with'the'ProQBar.'

PART'TWO:'Conven0onal'Tests'

The'Adz'Tests'

The'adz'of'tool'was'the'first'thing'we'explored.''Our'first'baAery'of'tests'were'aimed'at'stressing'the'adz'in'an'aAempt'to'see'if'either'“tooth”'could'be'bent,'broken,'twisted,'or'otherwise'permanently'damaged'in'any'way.'''''

The'Adz'Tests'The'adz'tests'focused'mainly'on'conven0onal'prying'against'our'forcible'entry'doorQprop,'using'

heavyQresistance'to'simulate'forcing'heavy,'commercial'inwardQswinging'and'outwardQswinging'doors.''

'Among'the'more'extreme'tests'we'subjected'it'to'were'combining'the'tool'with'a'6’'Roof'Hook'used'as'a'“cheater'bar”,'and'linking'the'forks'to'a'standard'ProQBar'to'extend'the'leverage.'''

The'linkedQforks'technique'is'the'most'extreme'test'of'a'halliganQtype'tool'that'we'know'to'perform….so'much'so'in'fact,'that'when'we'teach'this'technique'in'our'classes,'we'use'one%specific%older%bar%for'the'first'tool'(the'one'inserted'into'the'door),'because'that'one'has'been'bent'along'the'shao'due'to'repeated'overQstressing,'and'we'don’t'wish'to'ruin'our'other'bars.'

The'Adz'Tests'(cont’d)'

A'good'many'of'the'prying'mo0ons'were'aAempted'to'the'point'of'“methodQfailure”….that'is,'I'(or'my'partner'and'I)'aAempted'to'pry'with'the'tool'against'the'resistance'to'the'point'where'the'resistance'itself'stopped'us'cold.''Pushing'with'all'my/our'strength'could'neither'break'the'resistance'being'pried'against,'nor'the'tool'being'pried'with.''

'This'was'done'inten0onally'(and'repeatedly)'to'stress'the'tool'to'test'whether'or'not'it'could'be'broken'or'permanently'bent.'

The'Adz:'Leverage'VS.'Spread'

In'our'tests,'we'discovered'the'reasons'for'the'oneQsided'flareQout'of'the'adz.''The''lopQsided'shape'allows'the'user,'when'prying'against'the'shortQaxis'of'the'adz,'to'choose'in'certain'instances'the'amount'of'leverage'and'spread'by'par0ally'inser0ng'or'fully'inser0ng'the'adz.'''

A'parIal%inserIon%of'the'adz'before'prying'up'or'down'(away'from'the'pike)'provides'2Q3/4”'of'spread'of'the'door'from'the'frame,'at'an'approximate'mechanical'advantage'of'11:1'(30”'bar'divided'by'2.75”'wide'adz'='11'MA).''

The'Adz:'Leverage'VS.'Spread'(cont’d)'

A'full%inserIon%of'the'adz'before'prying'up'or'down'(away'from'the'pike)'provides'1Q1/2”'of'spread'of'the'door'from'the'frame,'at'an'approximate'mechanical'advantage'of'20:1,'(30”'bar'divided'by'1.5”'wide'adz'='20'MA).''This'narrowest'point'of'the'adz'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'equal'to'the'narrowest'point'of'the'adz'of'the'Pro'Bar'(1Q1/2”),'and'thus'offers'the'same'leverage'when'used'as'described.'

This%finding%was%a%major%revela3on%in%our%tes3ng,%and%even%if%taken%alone%is%reason%enough%for%us%to%declare%this%tool%superior%to%other%commercially<available%and%home<modified%halligan%bars%that%flare%on%both%sides%of%the%adz.%%This%kind%of%innova3ve%versa3lity%is%truly%astounding.%

Pro$Bar'

The'Adz:'Leverage'VS.'Spread'(cont’d)'

I'realize'that'this'topic'is'one'that'is'hard'to'write'about'and'make'clearly'understood.''I'would'encourage'anyone'who'hasn’t'done'so'already'to'watch'our'full'series'of'videos'on'our'Maxximus'Rexx'tests.''It'can'be'found'on'the'SEARCH & DESTROY FIRE TRAINING'youtube'channel.''

This'specific'topic'is'covered'in'Test'Video'#3,'and'helps'to'clarify'this'point'with'the'aid'of'fullQac0on'video'of'the'adz'at'work'in'various'ways.''''

The'Adz:'CrushingQGap'We'were'very'curious'about'the'difficulty'of'establishing'a'crushingQgap'on'a'commercial'

outwardQswinging'door.''We'knew'from'our'prior'tests'that'the'tool'would'withstand'it,'but'we'were'concerned'that'the'widest'por0on'of'the'adz'would'have'to'be'used,'at'an'expense'of'leverage.'

For'this'reason,'we'used'the'toughest'commercial'hollowQcore'door'at'our'disposal.''One'of'a'heavy'doubleQdoor'set'we’d'been'saving'for'something'special.''This'seemed'like'the'ideal'project'for'its'sacrifice.'

We'had'no'problems'gapping'this'door'whatsoever'with'the'Maxximus'Rexx.''It'performed'beau0fully,'and'the'slender'adz'was'easy'to'insert'into'the'seam'between'door'and'frame.'''

The'Adz:'CrushingQGap'(cont’d)'

It'also'worked'very'well'establishing'a'purchaseQpoint'for'the'spreaderQ0ps'while'doing'some'extrica0on'training.'

The'Adz'VS.'Carriage'Bolts'In'driving'carriageQbolts'through'a'door'(to'push'dropQbars'and'slidingQbolts'off'of'the'inside'of'

the'door),'we'thought'we'would'have'to'work'significantly'harder'with'the'Maxximus'Rexx'than'a'standard'Pro'Bar.''We'assumed'the'bifurca0on'of'the'adz'would'slow'us'down,'and'that'possibly'finishing'the'job'with'the'forkQend'might'be'required.''We'were'wrong.'''

Aoer'several'aAempts,'we'finally'landed'on'this'technique:''1)'Drive'a'channel'above'the'bolt'using'the'pike.''2)'Place'the'tooth'of'the'adz'that'is'closest'to'the'pike'on'the'boltQhead'and'drive'the'boltQhead'par0ally'into'the'door.''3)'Switch'back'to'the'pike'and'finish'driving'the'bolt'through'the'door'in'this'fashion.'

It'requires'more'aAen0on'be'paid'to'the'opera0on'in'step'3,'but'resulted'in'no'loss'of'0me'whatsoever.''In'fact,'we'may'begin'teaching'this'technique'in'our'classes'even'when'using'a'standard'Pro'Bar.'

2' 3'1'

The'Fork'Tests'The'more'slender'fork'allows'for'a'slightly'more'aggressive'curvature'without'making'

toolQset'more'difficult'for'either'inwardQswinging'or'outwardQswinging'doors.'

At'full'development,'when'the'fork'is'inserted'to'the'level'of'the'gapQline,'the'Maxximus'creates'approximately'¼”'of'addi0onal'spread'(over'that'of'the'ProQBar)'between'the'door'and'frame'when'performing'a'forkQside'force'on'an'inwardQswinging'door.'''

Pro$Bar'

PART'THREE:''Pulling'Locks'

Pulling'Locks'

Obviously,'one'of'the'real'innova0ons'in'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'the'lockQpuller'machined'into'the'adz.''While'modeled'on'the'Rex'Tool,'it'is'both'similar'in'some'ways'and'different'in'others.'''

By'virtue'of'the'fact'that'the'Rex'Tool'is'a'singleQpurpose'tool,'and'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'a'mul0Qpurpose'tool,'it'is'almost'unfair'to'compare'the'two.''In'some'aspects,'the'Rex'Tool'is'superior'at'pulling'certain'types'of'locks….and'in'other'aspects,'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'superior'at'pulling'the'same'locks'due'to'its'length'and'versa0lity.'''

Let’s'start'this'sec0on'by'a'comparison'of'func0on'to'the'standard'Rex'Tool.'

Rex'Tool'VS.'Maxx'Rexx'One'of'the'things'that'sets'the'standard'Rex'Tool'apart'from'other'lockQpullers'is'its'highlyQ

angled'ramp.''This'feature'is'a'real'asset'when'pulling'rim'and'mor0se'lock'cylinders,'because'it'keeps'an'outwardQpulling'stress'on'the'cylinder'as'it'bites'into'it.''''

But'that'same'aggressive'ramp'can'be'something'of'a'detriment'when'pulling'deadbolts'or'keyQinQknob'locks'because'it'makes'the'tool'hard'to'“steer”'to'the'angle'that'may'be'most'desirable.''This'ramp'may'make'it'difficult'to'set'behind'a'deadbolt'or'collar'of'a'keyQinQknob'lock,'necessita0ng'pulling'the'knob'off'instead.'''''

The'Rex'Tool'is'a'fantas0c'and'versa0le'lockQpuller,'but'every'tool'has'its'limita0ons.'

Rex'Tool'VS.'Maxx'Rexx'(cont’d)'

1'Q'The'Maxximus'Rexx,'by'necessity'as'a'conven0onal'prying'tool,'doesn’t'have'the'ramp'that'the'Rex'Tool'does.''Therefore,'it'doesn’t'grab'rim'and'mor0se'cylinders'quite'as'aggressively.''Although'that'was'not'a'problem'in'any'of'our'tests,'it’s'something'to'bear'in'mind.'''

But'that'same'feature,'the'slender'adz,'makes'it'easier'to'set'behind'the'collar'of'a'keyQinQknob'lock'or'deadbolt,'and'offers'the'user'more'choice'as'to'the'EXACT'angle'of'placement'of'the'lockQpuller'onto'the'neck'of'a'doorQknob.''

Pike'and'DoorQFrame'

The'pike'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'may'interfere'with'pulling'a'lock'installed'on'a'rightQside'opening'door'(as'it'may'hit'the'doorQframe),'however'the'tool'need'only'be'adjusted'to'another'angle'to'be'used'effec0vely.'''

Maxx'Rexx'VS.'Rim'&'Mor0se'Locks'

The''Maxximus'Rexx,'despite'having'no'aggressive'ramp'like'the'standard'Rex'Tool,'did'a'fantas0c'job'of'bi0ng'through'or'around'collars'and'onto'rim'and'mor0se'lock'cylinders.'''

Second'only'to'the'standard'Rex'Tool,'in'our'opinion.''Easier'to'ini0ally'set'than'the'''''Lil’'Rex'or'Adz'Rex'(though'both'great'tools).'''''

Maxx'Rexx'VS.'Bored'Locks'With'the'bifurcated'adz'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx,'it’s'easy'to'drive'one'tooth'of'the'adz'behind'

the'collar'of'most'keyQinQknob'and'deadbolt'locks'(aka'“Bored'Locks”).''Not'unlike'using'a'Mini'Pro'Bar'or'Truckman’s'Tool.''

Although'it’s'certainly'possible,'trying'to'set'the'head'of'a'standard'Rex'Tool'behind'the'collar'on'these'types'of'locks'can'some0mes'be'awkward.''In'this'way,'the'Maxximus'Rexx'clearly'stands'out.'

Truckman’s''Tool'

Maxx'Rexx'VS.'Bored'Locks'(cont’d)'We'absolutely'fell'in'love'with'one'of'the'ancillary'uses'for'the'bifurcated'adz.''Aoer'ini0ally'

gapping'a'deadbolt'(which'usually'has'heavier'screws'than'keyQinQknob'sets),'the'screws'can'be'grabbed'from'behind'the'lockQface'and'pried'up'or'down'very'easily.'''

This'can'be'done'either'to'further'increase'the'gap'between'the'lockQface'and'the'door,'exposing'the'latchQmechanism'for'a'dentalQpick'type'manipula0on,'or'for'a'full'lockQface'removal'with'Key'Tool'manipula0on'aoerward.'''

Rota0onal'Force'The'greatest'disadvantage'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'as'a'lockQpuller,'versus'other'lockQpullers,'

lay'in'the'shape'of'the'adz.''Because'the'lockQpulling'jaws'are'slightly'offQset'to'the'shao,'the'tool'has'a'tendency'to'turn'to'the'right'and'can'be'difficult'to'steer'back'to'a'neutral'posi0on.'''

However,'as'a'fairly'experienced'lockQpuller,'I'find'this'issue'to'be'a'minor'annoyance'more'than'a'real'impediment'to'the'opera0on.''In'most'cases,'the'slight'rota0on'of'the'tool'will'not'be'a'major'factor'in'the'success'or'failure'of'pulling'a'lock.''If'a'firefighter'can'pull'a'lock'with'other'tools,'then'he'or'she'should'be'able'to'pull'a'lock'using'the'Maxximus'Rexx'without'any'trouble,'regardless'of'this'issue.'''

Heo'of'Tool'Another'disadvantage'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'is'that'it'is'somewhat'awkward'to'use'by'

yourself'as'a'lockQpuller,'as'it'was'a'bit'cumbersome'to'hold'the'tool'with'one'hand.''Although,'truth'be'told,'that’s'exactly'how'it'was'used'in'nearly'all'our'lockQpulling'tests….so,'even'if'a'firefighter'is'working'alone,'it'can'certainly'be'done.'''

Then'again,'the'enormous'advantage'of'the'tool'is'that'the'standard'Rex'Tool'need'not'be'carried'separately….one'firefighter'or'one'crew'with'the'Irons'carries'most'everything'that'is'likely'to'be'needed'for'forcible'entry,'whether'conven0onalQprying'or'throughQtheQlock'work'is'required.'

Harder'Blades'The'harder'steel'held'up'EXTREMELY'well'with'regard'to'the'jaws'of'the'lockQpuller.'''

On'the'far'leo'is'a'picture'of'one'of'our'Rex'Tools'that'has'taken'a'lot'of'abuse,'both'in'the'real'world'and'in'our'training'classes,'and'it'shows'in'the'blades….which'have'been'chewed'up'quite'a'bit.''The'middle'and'far'right'pictures'show'the'adz'of'the'Maxximus'Rexx'at'the'conclusion'of'all'tests,'aoer'200+'conven0onal'forces'and'40+'lockQpulls.'''

The'adz'is'straight'as'an'arrow,'and'the'blades'look'pris0ne.''

Rex'Tool'

Fork'as'LockQPuller'

The'new'fork'has'two'blades'integrated'into'the'innerQangle'of'the'gap.''Having'a'lockQpuller'integrated'into'the'angle'of'the'forkQopening'adds'to'the'versa0lity'of'the'tool.''

The'adz'would's0ll'be'the'preference'in'most'cases,'but'it’s'always'good'to'have'op0ons'in'the'realQworld.'

PART'FOUR:'Summary'of'Findings'

Durability'Given'the'new'blend'of'steel'combined'with'the'thinner'components,'durability'was'obviously'a'

factor'of'interest'in'all'our'tests.%%ABer%many,%many%tests,%we%have%not%found%durability%to%be%any%nega3ve%issue%in%any%of%the%steel%components%or%working%ends%of%the%tool.%

The'pictures'below'on'the'right'and'in'the'middle'show'the'only'damage'we'were'able'to'inflict'on'the'tool'in'over'200'conven0onal'forces'and'over'40'lockQpulls:'a'slight'curl'on'the'0p'of'the'tooth'of'the'adz'closest'to'the'pike.''In'adzQprying,'this'is'the'leading'edge'of'the'adz'that'remains'in'contact'with'the'fulcrum.''All'of'our'Pro'Bars'for'our'company'and'for'our'fire'department'show'this'same'mark,'which'leads'me'to'believe'that'this'is'common'to'any'workingQtool'and'not'a'significant'finding.'''

Pro'Bar'

Durability'(cont’d)'' ''''''''Again….aoer'200+'conven0onal'forces'and'40+'lockQpulls,'the'adz'is'straight'as'an'arrow,'and'the'blades'look'pris0ne.''

Durability'(cont’d)'For'some'of'our'more'extreme'tests'(usually'while'“bouncing”'on'the'tool),'some'flexion'of'

the'adz'was'no0ced'in'the'Maxximus'Rexx.''Most'likely'due'to'the'slenderness'of'the'harder'vanadium'steel.'''

Our'decided'opinion'at'the'conclusion'of'tes0ng'was'that,'despite'the'flexion,'when'placed'under'extreme'stress,'we'were's0ll'unable'to'break'or'permanently'distort'the'adz.''It’s'our'feeling'that'some'slight'flexion'is'a'small'price'to'pay'for'an'integrated'lockQpuller,'and'that'a'Pro'Bar'soQused'would'not'have'been'any'more'successful'in'prying'against'the'resistance,'and'possibly'would'have'bent'at'the'shao'instead'(see'picture'below).''

It'is'also'our'opinion'that'ALL'TOOLS'can'be'damaged'or'broken'by'misuse,'and'that'if'a'Maxximus'Rexx'is'broken,'it'is'more'likely'a'lack'of'training'than'a'flaw'of'engineering.'

Standard'single$piece'halligan'bent'at'the'sha<'from'repeated'linked$forks'evolu?ons'

PROs'PROs:'•  Harder'metal'

•  One'pound'lighter'•  Thinner'adz'and'fork'

•  Squared'shoulders'of'fork'•  PreQground'gapQlines'and'setQlines'•  No'ramp'on'forkQ0ps'

•  Rubber'grip'insulates'to'24,000'volts'•  RexQtype'lockQpuller'machined'into'adz'that'can'pull'bored,'rim,'and'mor0se'locks'

•  ForkQend'can'also'be'used'as'a'lockQpuller'•  No'need'to'buy'or'carry'a'separate'lockQpulling'tool'•  Cost'of'ProQBar'+'Rex'Tool'='$370'/'Cost'of'Maxximus'Rexx'='$270'

•  The'benefits'of'a'wideQadz,'with'the'op0on'to'use'a'standardQadz'(if'desired)'in'some'situa0ons'

For'us,'the'last'three'points'are'the'gameQchangers.'

CONs'CONs:'•  Rubber'grip'may'feel'“too'thick”'for'the'smallQhanded'while'wearing'gloves'(easily'removed,'

and'Bob'is'talking'with'his'grip'guy'about'thinning'the'rubber)'

•  ToolQsize'can'make'singleQFF'lockQpulling'feel'somewhat'awkward'

•  Pike'may'interfere'with'pulling'locks'on'rightQside'opening'doors'(though'easily'overcome'by'adjus0ng'angle'of'tool)''

•  Because'of'the'lopQsided'adz,'the'tool'has'a'tendency'to'rotate'slightly'to'the'right'when'being'driven'down'onto'a'lock''

•  Some'slight'flexion'of'adz'when'prying'against'an'absolutely'immovable'object'(which'for'us'is'preferable'to'permanently'bending'the'shao'of'a'ProQBar)'

•  Forced'to'use'fullQwidth'of'the'adz'in'certain'situa0ons,'like'gapping'and'inwardQswinging'commercial'door'

Summary'of'Findings'1'First'off:''Don’t'worry….Bob'Farrell'has'no'plans'to'discon0nue'the'ProQBar.''That'said,'the'

Maxximus'Rexx'is,'in'our'opinion,'the'next'great'evolu0onary'leap'of'the'halligan'tool.''The'versa0lity'of'the'adz'for'mul0ple'kinds'of'prying,'and'for'pulling'all'major'types'of'doorQlocks'is'truly'astounding.'''

In'our'conven0onalQprying'classes,'we'always'talk'about'the'need'to'consider'throughQtheQlock'methods'for'lowQpriority'calls.''And'in'our'throughQtheQlock'classes,'we'constantly'stress'the'good'prac0ce'of'ALWAYS'bringing'the'Irons'to'the'door'along'with'the'lockQpulling'tools,'even'for'lowQpriority'calls'where'throughQtheQlock'techniques'are'going'to'be'tried'first.'''

With'the'Maxximus'Rexx'as'part'of'the'IronsQset'and'a'Key'Tool'in'your'pocket,'you'have'both'bases'covered'for'forcible'entry'into'most'regular'houses,'apartments,'and'businesses.''Having'the'op0on'for'either'conven0onalQprying'or'throughQtheQlock'work'in'one'tool'makes'it'more'likely'that'the'situa0onallyQappropriate'technique'will'be'used.''And,'so'long'as'an'individual'firefighter'doesn’t'object'to'the'wideQadz,'there'is'no'real'reason'to'object'to'the'presence'of'the'lockQpuller,'whether'it'is'used'or'not.'

Summary'of'Findings'2'Our'own'tool'philosophy'has'always'been'this:'

'If%an%individual%firefighter%likes%a%par3cular%tool%and%can%use%it%to%good%effect,%then%they%have%the%right%to%do%so%without%being%insulted%or%cri3qued.'

There'are'certainly'many'great'tools'and'tool'combina0ons,'and'we'would'never'presume'to'tell'you'what'you'like.''We’ve'always'tried'to'incorporate'a'wide'variety'of'tools'into'our'classes'so'that'individual'firefighters'can'try'tools'they'may'only'have'seen'pictures'of'online'or'in'catalogs.''They'may'learn'that'they'have'a'personal'preference'for'one'tool'or'another,'or'discover'that'one'type'of'tool'would'work'best'for'the'way'their'department'runs.''Such'is'the'benefit'of'prac0ce,'which'is'the'point'of'our'training'classes.''

This'report'reflects'our'own'findings'and'our'own'opinions,'which'were'honestly'come'by,'and'honestly'expressed'here.''Upon'explora0on'and'use,'your'own'preferences'may'lie'with'another'tool,'or'you'may'come'to'see'what'we'see'in'the'Maxximus'Rexx.''Either'way'is'fine'with'us.''We’re'not'trying'to'tell'you'to'throw'away'your'ProQBar,'or'trying'to'sell'you'anything,'we'merely'want'to'share'what'we’ve'learned.''

Summary'of'Findings'3'The'owners'of'SEARCH & DESTROY have'no'financial'stake'in'whether'or'not'a'single'

Maxximus'Rexx'is'sold.''We'don’t'sell'the'tools'ourselves,'nor'did'we'create'it.''We'won’t'see'a'nickel'from'any'sale.'''

We'were'not'compensated'for'our'work'during'the'tes0ng'process,'beyond'receiving'a'free'prototype'of'the'tool'which'we'get'to'keep'now'that'our'tes0ng'is'complete.''And'given'the'manQhours'we’ve'put'into'tes0ng,'photographing,'shoo0ng'video,'edi0ng'video,'and'wri0ng'this'report….I’d'say'our'perQhour'pay'rate'would'be'well'below'minimumQwage'when'considering'the'retail'value'of'the'tool!'

We'jumped'at'the'chance.''It'was'a'labor'of'love,'and'an'extremely'enjoyable'experience.''It'furthered'our'own'educa0on'in'forcible'entry,'and'made'us'appreciate—as'always—that'there'is's0ll'more'to'learn.'''

Summary'of'Findings'4'We'hope'that'any'ques0ons'about'the'tool’s'durability'will'have'been'laid'to'rest'by'our'

tes0ng'process,'and'similar'tests'being'conducted'by'the'FDNY'on'the'regular'Maxximus'tool'(the'version'without'the'adz'lockQpuller).'''

Certainly,'any'tool'can'be'damaged'or'destroyed'by'misuse'or'abuse.''We’ve'all'seen'heavy,'old'pinchQpoint'pryQbars'bent'from'extreme'stress.''It’s'our'opinion'that'any'opera0on'that'would'damage'the'Maxximus'Rexx'would'likely'damage'the'standard'ProQBar'or'any'other'halliganQtype'tool'on'the'market.''''

SEARCH & DESTROY FIRE TRAINING is'proud'to'have'been'asked'to'par0cipate'in'the'tes0ng'process,'and'we’d'like'to'take'this'opportunity'to'thank'Bob'Farrell'for'asking'us'to'be'a'very'0ny'part'of'fire'service'history.''It'was'truly'an'honor.'''

We'hope'that'our'tests,'test'videos,'and'this'analysisQreport'have'been'helpful'to'not'only''Fire'Hooks'Unlimited,'but'also'to'fire'department'purchasingQofficers'and'individual'firefighters'at'large.''''

For'More'Informa0on:'Watch'all'seven'videos,'covering'all'manor'of'tests'we'did'on'the'Maxximus'Rexx'on'

Youtube,'and'check'out'all'our'pictures'of'the'tool'itself'(75+)'on'our'facebook'page.'

'Youtube'channelQname:''SearchAndDestroyFire'

'Facebook'page:''www.facebook.com/SearchAndDestroyFireTraining'

'Email:''SearchAndDestroyFE@me.com'