Key Highlights:
- The Fireman’s axe sits in Maintenance A on the northwest side, reachable after you get the Shovel.
- It hits the hardest of all axes, with high damage, high block, and a slow swing that staggers enemies.
- Great for building, dropping a regular tree in about five hits compared to 10+ with the Tactical axe.
The Fireman’s axe, sometimes called the Firefighter Axe, is the heavy hitter of Sons of the Forest. It is slow, but the payoff is huge damage, strong block, and frequent staggers. I treat it as my base-building workhorse and my opener against tougher targets. When it lands, enemies reel, and trees fall fast.
You need a short list of tools before you can dig it up. Start by clearing the Rebreather and Rope Gun, then push on to the Shovel. Stock food, drinks, and a light source. Caves in the northwest are cramped and noisy, so bring a bow, pistol, or Molotovs to control crowds.
Once the Shovel is in hand, head for the pulsing green GPS marker for Maintenance A on the northwest side, south of the north beach.
The digsite is easy to recognise. Look for two broken golf carts, surveying gear, and a mound of loose soil. Watch for cannibal patrols to the north and south. Digging locks your view forward, so clear the area first. Shovel until the hatch is revealed, open it, and climb down the ladder.
Inside the bunker, follow the short corridor. There is a small room on the right and a storage room at the end. Expect baby mutants in storage. Deal with them quickly, then sweep the back wall. The Fireman’s axe is mounted inside a glass case. Smash and grab, then check the other room for a bed and a save point.
This same bunker also holds the Maintenance Keycard, so take a minute to loot everything before you leave.
In combat, lean into what the axe does best. It has high damage, high block, and medium range, but low swing speed. Single heavy hits will stagger most enemies, and charged power attacks briefly stun even larger mutants, opening a safe window to reposition or finish. Aim at the head or neck for fast kills. I like to open with a stun or a Molotov against Fingers or Brutes, then let the axe do the rest.
For building, the difference is immediate. A regular tree drops in about five swings, whereas the Tactical axe often takes ten or more. The Modern Axe drops trees in 6 swings, so the Firefighter Axe is no doubt the best for farming logs.
Pick a fall direction, cut a neat notch, then walk the cut around the trunk. Rotate between chopping and stacking to manage stamina, and keep an ear out for patrols while you work.
If you want even more punch, the Fireman’s axe can be upgraded with 6 Solafite. The head takes on a gold finish and damage climbs to the highest tier among melee weapons. It cannot be thrown, but it stores cleanly on a Weapon Rack or Wall Weapon Rack back at base.
Once you have it, the Chainsaw is the only tool that rivals it for logging speed, but the axe remains my preferred all-rounder when I need both combat power and tree work in one slot.
A few practical route tips to remember. Drop a tarp and stick outside the hatch to mark the spot on your GPS and to save before you descend. Keep a spare light for the storage room, and listen for babies skittering.
If you have not grabbed the Modern Axe yet, it is found nearby at the north abandoned camp and makes a good stepping stone until you dig up Maintenance A. Need the rest of the island’s best tools and upgrades? Visit our Ultimate Sons of the Forest Guide for every essential item.
