Tomahawks

[Hammerson]

So, what does everyone think of the good old 'hawk? I love throwing mine but I have been wanting a new one for quite a while...something more tool than weapon so I have been looking around. I like Dave Canterbury's new design but it will probably be some time before I can get one.

Just thought I would throw it out there (so to speak) and see what everyone thought.

 

[IlikeSA]

I love my hawk and it travels just about everywhere with me. It is a modded Cold Steel Trail Hawk and has been with me about 8 years now. For mods I drilled the handle and paracorded it, then sharpened the beard using a file. I had also drilled the handle and attached it, but after throwing it a while, it sheared the set screw off. All is well though, as the head stays on tight as ever now.

 

[JShirley]

I like them in general, but some of the voguish recent "tactical" designs <cough>SOG</cough> seem pretty silly.

 

[Mitch from LA]

A cold-steel trailhawk is currently on the wishlist. I love throwing them, and they are tough to beat for utility when you're camping

 

[HorseSoldier]

I have one of the ATC Vietnam tomahawk repros/updates. While I've never used it to dispatch (or even scare off) bad guys, it is pretty useful for assorted chopping and smashing tasks that do come up from time to time.

Never tried throwing mine, feel like it's a recipe for spending more money on another tomahawk (having lost a very nice Gerber Mark 2 when I was very young and very stupid I don't fancy throwing things that I ever want to see again . . .).

 

[Markus]

I have a HB Forge tomahawk that has been with me since 1990. It's great for most light chopping and even finer cutting and carving. It has spent so much time in my hands that I'm sure it would be a very effective weapon. I just like the feel of it in my hand as I walk in the woods.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a HB Forge tomahawk that has been with me since 1990.

I have had my first one since 1973!

It's great for most light chopping and even finer cutting and carving.

I totally agree. It is a faithful example of a frontier tomahawk. Since you walked everywhere back then, things had to be light. It is an outstanding cutting tool.

Daniel Boone TV shows notwithstanding, the primary use of these were for wood cutting, not combat, but in a pinch, they could be a devasting weapon.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Daniel Boone TV shows notwithstanding, the primary use of these were for wood cutting, not combat, but in a pinch, they could be a devasting weapon.

I feel like they definitely make it to the "that's going to leave a mark" category . . .

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I feel like they definitely make it to the "that's going to leave a mark" category . . .

haha! Funny.

They have a place in an outdoors kit. But, other than that, I'm not sure a saw does a worse job in camp and a whole host of other weapons do better in a pinch.
I have a CS trail hawk too. I carry it on short backpacking trips if there's a lot of deadwood around the area. Honestly though, a pack saw and knife does way more for me in terms of fire building and such.

That being said, I've never personally had to fend off anyone in camp. So, I have no idea if I would wish for a hawk or not. So, there's that.

 

[KevininPa]

Been using a .........

.........CS Riflemans Hawk for years for camping, yardwork, whatever. Always liked the longer handle for leverage. Kind of like the framing hammer I used for years.

 

[country boy marksman]

I have a few hatchets and one or two tomahawks. I love tomakawks! I carry them all the time, and use them often. I finally broke down and ordered a sog tactical tomahawk... I guess i'll find out in a few days wether it is worth it or not!

 

[JShirley]

The tactical tomahawk looks okay. It's the "battle axe" that's just silly.

 

[Dr.Rob]

A good 'hawk is a useful tool, throwing them is just fun. I prefer the sturdy hammer back designs to the tacticool spike.

 

[memphisjim]

That benchmade one looks awesome But as said earlier the ones with hammers are probably better all around

 

[Fred Fuller]

My favorite hawk was forged for me back in 2003 by Bob Ogg's stepson, Max. Far as I know it was his second 'hawk head, the first was made out of an old railroad spike. Mine is a poll hawk, and was made out of a chunk of old driveshaft. The splines are still visible at the corners of the hammer head.

lpl
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