Kelly tool
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with K-tool
.
The Kelly tool is a tool used in fire and rescue service for forcible entry
and other prying and striking tasks. The predecessor of the Halligan bar
, it has largely been superseded by the latter, but still sees some use.
The kelly tool is named after its designer, Captain John F. Kelly of H&L Company 163 (FDNY). It consists of a straight steel bar, generally about 28 inches long. One end is formed into a chisel; the opposite end has an adze
blade. The primary advantage over the claw tool it replaced is that the striking end (the adze) is in a straight line with the rest of the tool; on the claw tool the corresponding end was curved into a hook with no flat surfaces.
The kelly tool was intended specifically for opening doors and other barriers. Modern versions often are modified along the lines of the Halligan bar, especially at the chisel end. Originally the chisel blade was flat and straight; more recently it has tended to take on a curved and forked form, similar to the claw of a carpenter's hammer
. There are similar tools referred to generically as "kelly tools", but in general they are variations on the original form.
K-tool
The K-tool is a tool used by many fire departments for forcible entry. It is used in conjunction with a Halligan bar and a flat-headed axe or maul to remove a cylinder lock...
.
The Kelly tool is a tool used in fire and rescue service for forcible entry
Forcible entry
Forcible entry is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law as the unlawful taking of possession of real property by force or threats of force or unlawful entry into or onto another's property, especially when accompanied by force....
and other prying and striking tasks. The predecessor of the Halligan bar
Halligan bar
A Halligan bar is a special forcible entry tool commonly used by firefighters and law enforcement. It was designed by and named after Hugh Halligan, a First Deputy Fire Chief in the New York City Fire Department, in 1948...
, it has largely been superseded by the latter, but still sees some use.
The kelly tool is named after its designer, Captain John F. Kelly of H&L Company 163 (FDNY). It consists of a straight steel bar, generally about 28 inches long. One end is formed into a chisel; the opposite end has an adze
Adze
An adze is a tool used for smoothing or carving rough-cut wood in hand woodworking. Generally, the user stands astride a board or log and swings the adze downwards towards his feet, chipping off pieces of wood, moving backwards as they go and leaving a relatively smooth surface behind...
blade. The primary advantage over the claw tool it replaced is that the striking end (the adze) is in a straight line with the rest of the tool; on the claw tool the corresponding end was curved into a hook with no flat surfaces.
The kelly tool was intended specifically for opening doors and other barriers. Modern versions often are modified along the lines of the Halligan bar, especially at the chisel end. Originally the chisel blade was flat and straight; more recently it has tended to take on a curved and forked form, similar to the claw of a carpenter's hammer
Hammer
A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head,...
. There are similar tools referred to generically as "kelly tools", but in general they are variations on the original form.