Sorry to revive a really old thread but I got some info out of a much large
group of FF.

On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 9:39 AM, Gye Greene  wrote:
>
> It reminds me of a firefighting axe -- except that it's the size of a
> hammer.
> http://www.toolexchange.com.au/our-tools/axes-
hatchets/8169">http://www.toolexchange.com.au/our-tools/axes-hatchets/8169
> Why is the cutting edge at such an angle -- rather than parallel to
> the handle?  And what's with the spike?
>

To quote someone who knows what they are talking about:
"This is a ladder-climber axe (aka California axe) and would be used for
roof operations - assisting ventilation & breaking glass."
" The long plunge to the beard is so you can reach up and hang it off of a
ladder rung while you climb."

Bob