A dilemma

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VolundoftheForge

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Jan 3, 2012
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Hey guys. So, I've been looking back over full-tang tomahawks recently. I had thought about buying an Estwing 17" Riggers Axe, since Estwing has a good warranty and all of their products are tough, but I've been drawn to larger choppers and full tang hawks, so I'm not sure which way to go. It'd mainly be a camping axe/emergency use tool I'd keep in my car, so I'm not sure if I really want to throw down $3-600 on something like this. I don't have a whole bunch of funds, so if I were to buy something like that it'd be the end of my buying for quite a while. Mainly right now I'm looking at either a Winkler II Camp Axe, the Combat Axe, JK knive's Cassam Hawk, and the Estwing. Any opinions or recommendations are welcome. Thanks guys!
 
For an emergency use/leave it in the car. I think I would choose Eastwing, then a nice older boys axe or Council Tool Velvicut boys axe for camping. I hate leaving nice stuff untended in the car.

Today at a local flea market, I picked up a nice 3lb head with broad blade and thin cheeks for 3.00 and a nice 36" straight handle for 4.00. A couples hours work and for 7.00 I will have a very nice lightweight axe that I could leave in the car.

Bill
 
I've designed a hawk that I was planning to get custom-made, as I figured this was my best option, however I ran into a bit of a problem.
This is the design I had come up with:
And this is a quite well-known design by maker Daniel Winkler: sayoc_bg.jpg

Keep in mind I had seen this design before and had some design cues, but have no clue how mine became a pretty much identical design. Now I pretty much either buy his and REALLY bite the bullet, or go with a different design.
 
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I personally like the Swamp Rat Kill Devil tomahawk. Its a shade under 300 bucks made out of 52100 steel. It might be an option for you.
 
I always wanted a more expensive hawk,but I stuck with my cold steel hawks and finally got my second sog tactical with the bigger head,took the head off the fiberglass handle,and was going to fab up a aluminum or steel haft for it.well decided to go wood instead,had hickory or osage orange,i think. what I was told,went with the osage,got it measured,cut,holes drilled,new steel sleeve fabbed up,probably didn't need it,now gotta get new bolts.looks cool.. good luck with your choice, winklers are awesome.
 
Bargs, I'd be really leery of your wooden handle on the SOG. As I remember, they had a major recall on the first batch that had wooden handles because of breakage at the bolt holes (something I predicted when I saw it). They got away with the rabbet tang by using the synthetic handle. Good luck with it, but be aware.
 
Have you considered the CRKT hawks? I got the Kangee for $109 shipped, and I don't mind leaving it in the car. Yet, it's not really a great wood chopper.
I do love the Winkler's, but I don't leave them in the car. Plus, the Sayoc is really a fighting hawk.
For what you want, "camping/emergency use" you're better off with the Camp Axe. I think I've mentioned that before?:rolleyes:
One of my favorite "cheap" camp tools is the 12" Ontario Cutlass Machete. For something like $35 you can get a sharpened version by Baryonx Knives and a sheath.
Full tang hawks have their place, mostly it's fighting, breaching and hard use. For camping chores I still prefer a wood handled traditional axe or hatchet. Boy's axes, a Hudson Bay or similar makes for a great camp tool(depends on your AO and the amount of wood you need).
Maybe an Estwing and an Ontario heavy duty machete are what you need, for now? From there you can refine what you like about them, or dislike about them. You could spend less than $80 and have both right now, and not regret leaving them in your car, or having them go missing.
 
Agree with Foxx.

Besides full tang hawks make miserable woods tools compared to traditionals. I'd rather be stuck with a traditional for breaching than a full tang hawk for camp chores lol
 
It's hard to beat an Estwing, but why not one of the traditional woodchopping heads? They make a great tool.
Otherwise, pick up a decent head second hand, as suggested.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
It'd mainly be a camping axe/emergency use tool I'd keep in my car, so I'm not sure if I really want to throw down $3-600 on something like this.
Click to expand...

Get something that you won't hesitate to abuse if the situation warrants it. An Estwing would certainly fit that bill.
 
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