Abstract: A a tire bead breaking tool is disclosed comprising a handle and a wedge head. The shaft is configured having a gripping portion, a shield portion, and a working portion at a forward end. The working portion is configured having an oblong cross-section comprising protruding opposite end surfaces and substantially less protruding opposite lateral surfaces disposed between the end surfaces. The working portion of the handle is press fit into a circular bore of a tool head and contacts sidewalls defining the bore along the handle protruding end surfaces. The wedge head is configured having an elongate wedge arm extending forward to a rounded terminal edge. A protrusion extends outward from the wedge arm and is offset rearward from the forward wedge arm edge. The protrusion includes a beveled leading surface terminating at an outer edge.