ok so with my finely tuned Google skills I was able to find the hawks you are referring to. I personally have never used one. The Track of the Wolf website does not seem to list a maker, but looking on the Crazy Crow site, assuming they are the same brand, I read that they are part of the Hawksmith series. Once again turning to Google, I found this post in the Axe/Tomahawk section:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/766338-Is-anyone-familiar-with-the-quot-Hawksmith-quot-series
The difference in price between the ones found on Track of the Wolf ($69.00) and Crazy Crow ($85.00) makes me think that there is a possibility that they are not the same. My experience has always been that you get what you pay for, but it might just be a good deal from Track of the Wolf.
Sticking with the assumption that the hawk you are looking for is a Hawksmith, I searched for it on amazon hoping that there would be a customer review. No luck, but I was able to find a little more information than was listed on the Crazy Crow site. Apparently the head is forged out of 6150 tool steel (the Crazy Crow Site lists them as being hand forged from 5160 high carbon steel alloy). you can see the info at
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BRJPTW/ref=asc_df_B002BRJPTW1566418?smid=A1R2XWQNVNKQIN&tag=dealtmp462042-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B002BRJPTW.
There doesn't seem to be much in the way of user reviews out there, but it looks like Hawksmith series from Crazy Crow have a lifetime warranty. The Track of the Wolf hawks are advertised with "Same day shipment, when you click ADD TO CART and complete shopping cart check out. Inspect the item, return it for same day refund if not delighted. You will be pleased with your choice. You pay postage, your only risk." I don't know if that means you only get to refund it if it is the same day you purchased it, but if you call and they aren't playing some sort of funny advertising game you could always get one try it out and send it back if it isn't what you are looking for. I do not see anything about a lifetime guarantee from Track of the Wolf.
Personally I feel that there isn't enough information out there to make a well informed decision. I would try to get one in hand before purchasing. Otherwise you are just sort of hoping that it turns out to be a good product.
Either way if you decide to get one please do a review on it so others will know how the product preforms. I know I would like to read it.
Also, in the first link to the thread posted on blade forums it was stated that Steve Liley of Coal Creek Forge (
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/member.php/222234-COAL-CREEK-FORGE) makes some hawks in that price range. I would suggest you get in touch with him and have a quality custom made. I haven't dealt with him, but I have ordered many knives from makers hosted on this forum and have never been unsatisfied with the quality of the work they have done for me. If I were in your position this would be how I would go about getting a new hawk. If you don't like the custom route I would stick with cold steel until you have the money saved up for that BG you were talking about.
Hope this helps
edit...I almost forgot for about the same price range you could also look into Wetterlings Axes. They are owned by GB. Almost exactly the same, only less expensive. I have a Wild Life Axe by them and I love it. Do a search for them on the web and I bet you like what you see. But if you like that old school traditional look of the axes you asked about above I would still get in touch with one of the custom makers.
