review – Last year my wife and I did something we had never done before: We built a paved patio next to the deck in the backyard. It’s not perfect, but we’re very happy with the results. Here we can relax after a long day, grill some burgers, and chat.We bought some patio furniture and Breeo’s Smokeless Fire Pit. We love this fire pit, but can be a little stingy at times when it comes to staying smoke free, which is why we need a fire pit tool to keep the burning wood in just the right place. That’s why I’m reviewing two new tools, Commander and Talon, All from Pit Command.
What is it?
commander is a 3-in-1 fire pit tool that combines a bayonet, serrated hook and chopper in one. claws is a set of monster-sized pliers for grabbing and moving small logs while they are still burning. Both tools are made of carbon steel with a high temperature powder coating and are secured with a custom molded handle (for the Commander) or handle (for the Talon).The pit command is an American company The company designs and manufactures tools so you can stay lit, all of their tools are made in the USA.
What’s in the box?
Pit Command was kind enough to send me two different testing tools. Each box contains its respective tools and stickers.
Hardware Specifications
commander:
- Dimensions: 30 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz
- Carbon steel high temperature powder coating
- Custom Molded Handles
- hook, pierce, chopper
- Color Options: Black, Orange or Green
Claws:
- Dimensions: 24 x 4 inches
- Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
- Carbon steel high temperature powder coating
- Custom Molded Handles
- claws for grasping
- Color Options: Black, Orange or Green
Design and Features
The Commander is a solid and stylish build. It’s a piece of carbon steel with a black powder coat on the head and green (or whatever color you choose) on the bottom half. The Commander feels very firm in the hand and takes a little effort to use, but its handle is soft and grippy. There is no doubt that it can be used as a self-defense weapon in an emergency.
Talons look a bit like a giant version kitchen tongs, a grabber with a very sharp spike on the end. Like the Commander, it’s a piece of carbon steel, the clip is covered in black powder coat, and the handle is green. Talons are shorter and lighter than the Commander, but they still feel tough and durable. Both tools are so well made that I don’t need to buy another pit tool no matter how long I live.
installation and setup
Both tools come in a sturdy case and are well protected. They were wrapped in dark blue paper and packed in an airtight plastic bag. No setup is required other than taking them out of the package.
Performance
There are three tools on the commander’s head. The tip is the poker used to push the log into place. On one side is a serrated hook for pulling the log into place.The other side looks like an axe, probably used for trimming small branches; however, if you really need to chop wood, you’ll want to get a real axe For that reason.
I find the hooks are great for pulling logs in my Breeo, this is the part of the commander I use the most.
Poker works equally well for pushing logs where I need them to go. Keep in mind that the Breeo I have is a fairly small fire pit, so the logs I use are fairly short (about 18 inches) and split. Commanders can certainly handle larger logs.
Pit Command describes the handle as a “custom-molded handle,” which is true, but doesn’t say what it’s made of.
Whatever it was, I had no problem holding either tool and never felt like they would slip out of my hands.
As a test, I put two tools, one at a time, on the edge of my Breeo and it got pretty hot. I waited a few minutes and picked them up. Although they were always that warm, nothing came close to being hot enough to burn me. The material of these handles is heat resistant; the coating is also heat resistant and prevents corrosion.
Talons are designed to grab logs and place them exactly where I need them.
I can pick up logs and relocate them in my Breeo with no problem.
Talons designed by Pit Command can be used in smaller fire pits and they are perfect for this task. Due to their nature as a pair of pliers, there is a limit to the size and weight of logs they can handle. However, in my Breeo they work just fine.
One thing to note is that these tools are very expensive ($179 and $169, respectively), higher than any other fire pit tool I could find online with a quick search. The bad news is that fire pit tools cost a lot of money; the good news is that they are powerful and powerful tools that can last a lifetime.
Extra features
If you like the Commander’s design but your fire pit is relatively small, check out Ranger.
what do I like
- Sturdy, robust, durable construction
- Simple, practical and stylish design
- Heat resistant handle/handle
what would i change
final thoughts
If you’re looking to buy a tool for your fire pit and are willing to spend your money on something really good, then I heartily recommend the Commander and the Claw. Which one should you buy? For my Breeo-sized fire pit, you can’t go wrong with either tool, as both are up to the job. I think Commanders are more of a power tool, able to push or pull any log anywhere; Talons are more of an ingenious tool that picks up smaller logs and places them exactly where they need to go. Personally, I give the Commander an edge just because it’s six inches longer; my Breeo gets hot, and the extra distance keeps my fingers from burning. I think whichever you get, you’ll be happy.
price: $179 (Commander), $169 (Talon)
where to buy: Pit Command’s online store – commander – paw
source: Samples for this review provided by pit command.
