I mentioned a while back that I was making a mounting plaque for one of our recently retired firefighters.  Here it is.  Told him the cost for him was to email me a photo with his presentation axe mounted to it on the wall.  The fighters' association (our club) got him the axe, but didn't give him a mount for it, so I did this as a gift to a friend.  Had the wood and stain, got the patches from the FD and the metal decorations from a local award shop. I had them stick all the accoutrements on for me. 

 

This axe is mine from my Air Force Reserve unit when I retired from there.  His is slightly different in color, but the same size.

 

Wood is red oak with Old Masters Golden Oak stain and their satin polyurethane.  I used to be a fan of P&L #38, but I can't get it in small quantities around here any more.

Edited December 6, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
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That's a beauty. He will enjoy it a lot. Very nice gift to a deserving friend.

Holy moses! That is one beautiful plaque John! It has it all, style, class, professionalism, clean, beautiful! The color is awesome too. Nice job sir.

It's hard to tell the context, but is that a smaller axe than typical as far fireman axes go? And if it is smaller, does it have a specialty purpose?

That is a beauty!

Very nice work and a wonderful tribute

SWEET!!

Thanks guys! It's actually a pretty simple project.  But to answer the question about the axe, it's the same size as the real McCoy, just a lighter head and a wood handle.  Real ones are now heavy steel heads and fiberglass handles. 

That's really very nice John.  Were the patches attached with anything special or simply glued on?

Cal

Well done, your friend will love it!

9 hours ago, clhyer said:

That's really very nice John.  Were the patches attached with anything special or simply glued on?

Cal

To be honest, Cal,  I'm not sure how they attached them.  My guess is they used the same super sticky tape that holds the metal parts on.  The patches (when new) have a plastic film on the back side to keep them somewhat rigid.

Very nice!!!

Great job and a wonderful tribute to a fellow firefighter.

Excellent job John to honor a friend and fellow firefighter with a tribute such a this. Thanks for sharing with us.

Great looking! I bet he loves it.