Wildland Crew Patch — Order This Water Drop & Axe Maltese Cross
Design S1472A at a glance
A gold-merrowed Maltese cross in green, gold, tan and red, with a water drop and an axe set in front of a stand of pine trees. Lettering carries the wildland unit name and the crew number — a compact, symbolic layout where the water drop stands for suppression, the axe for cutting line and the pines for the ground the crew defends.
Maltese cross shapeGold merrowed borderWater dropAxePine treesCrew number line
About this water drop and axe wildland crew cross
Wildland crews bond hard over a season, and the crew patch becomes the thing everyone keeps. This cross keeps the symbolism simple — a water drop, an axe, a line of pines — so it reads instantly on a dusty shirt. Green and tan suit wildland gear, red keeps the fire accent and the gold border frames it cleanly.
Design your own version: put your unit name and crew number in the lettering, swap the axe for a Pulaski or McLeod, or redraw the pines as the forest type your crew works most. This page shows a design concept we manufacture to order — your stitch-ready proof arrives 6–12 hours after you order, and nothing is produced until you approve it.
Wildland crew patch quick facts
- Embroidered wildland crew patches cost $3.00–$20.00 each depending on quantity, with a 10-patch minimum.
- Rush production takes 7–10 days and is available on every custom patch.
- Crew patches often carry the crew number in its own line so the art can be reused each season.
- A water drop and axe stay recognizable even at 2.5" on a hard hat or cap.
- Many crews order a second run at season’s end for members to keep.
- Owl Badges is a US-based badge and patch manufacturer in Simi Valley, California, in business since 1999.
Customize this wildland crew cross: backing, size, and thread options
- Backing: sew-on for brush shirts, iron-on for hoodies and caps, hook-side velcro for packs
- Sizes: 2"–10" — 3.5" on shoulders; 2.5" on hard hats and caps
- Colorways: green, gold, tan and red as shown, or a tan-and-brown subdued build
- Border: gold merrowed (shown), or green to blend with gear
- Thread: standard or high-visibility thread for the water drop
- Artwork: the axe redraws as a Pulaski or McLeod at no additional art charge
Who orders this design
Wildland hand crews, engine crews and seasonal fire programs order this cross for brush shirts, crew hoodies and packs. Crews that return each season often reorder with the same art and a new year line. Crew alumni and families buy extras at season’s end.
Custom wildland crew patch pricing — embroidered
| Quantity | Price per patch |
|---|---|
| 10–19 | $20.00 |
| 20–29 | $14.00 |
| 30–49 | $11.00 |
| 50–74 | $6.50 |
| 75–99 | $6.00 |
| 100–249 | $5.50 |
| 250–499 | $3.00 |
Rush production in 7–10 days is available on all custom patches. Design your changes in the markup tool above, or get this patch quoted exactly as shown.
What your quote covers
- Your exact spec — quantity, size, backing, and colorway, priced to the piece
- A free digital mockup within 4 hours, before you commit to anything
- Rush production in 7–10 days whenever you need it
- No setup, digitizing, or art fees — the table price is the whole price
How ordering this patch works
Request a quote
Send this design (marked up or as-is) with your quantity. Quotes are answered 24/7 within 4 hours.
Approve your proof
Your stitch-ready proof arrives 6–12 hours after ordering. Nothing is produced until you approve it.
We verify & produce
Law-enforcement orders are verified with your agency before production — standard practice since 1999.
Delivery confirmed
We confirm your shipping address by phone, then email tracking the day your patches ship.
🏛 Bidding for your department or agency? We answer bids, RFQs and purchase-order quotes — see how agency bids and RFQs work, or tick “This quote is for a bid” in the quote form.
Wildland crew patch questions
Can the crew number change each season?
Yes. The crew line restitches with each reorder, and the art stays the same.
Can the axe become a Pulaski?
Yes. We redraw the tool as a Pulaski or McLeod at no art charge.
What size works on a hard hat?
A 2.5" version fits most hard hats; the pines simplify slightly at that size.
Will the gold border show on a yellow brush shirt?
Yes, though some crews prefer a green border for stronger contrast on yellow Nomex.
How do I propose changes to this cross?
Open the markup tool in the quote form, circle the drop, axe or trees, pin notes and choose colors. The proposed changes are sent along with your quote.
Looking for another wildland or station patch?
This page covers one crew cross. Engine, ladder, battalion and authority designs are grouped in the fire department patch gallery next to this water drop and axe wildland cross by shape. Comparing PVC with embroidery for gear that sees smoke and dirt? The patch buying guide that prices a green water-drop and axe crew cross from ten pieces lays out every build.
Notes
Drop a 📍 pin on the patch, then type what you want changed there.