- Joined
- Nov 22, 2002
- Messages
- 67
I recently participated in a passaround for the American Tomahawk Company Vietnam Tactical Tomahawk. I evaluated the Vietnam tactical tomahawk from two standpoints, its usefulness as a tool, and its effectiveness as a weapon.
First Impressions
This hawks only beauty is through its function and excellent ergonomics. Its entire design screams usefulness and robustness. It is all black, with a very secure handle attached to a head with a 2.75 inch blade and a 3 inch spike. It balanced very well, and while the edge on the blade was not shaving sharp, it was certainly sharp enough for most tasks. I cut cardboard, some cord, and some paper as soon as I got it out of the package. I took a few practice swings with it, and was happy to find that the hawk was quite easy to reverse direction in mid swing to use the spike.
Chopping
I had to wait a few days for my day off, but it was worth the wait. The temperature on this January day was approximately 28-30 degrees.
I found a selection of different tree limbs, some extremely hardened and seasoned by years of the elements(approx 12 and 16 inch wide, one log which had been cut down a few weeks previous(8 inches), and a few branches that I cut on the spot with my Gransford Bruks hatchet(1-4 inches). I then started chopping. The hawk did extremely well on the fresh wood, and the one month log. It is a little too light for serious chopping, but is superb for cutting down branches, small trees or trimming stakes. I chopped through the mid sized log within a few minutes, and the branches in one to two swings. The log that was several years old was too much for the hawk. It was chipping, but I was having to exert too much force to get very far. I gave up after chopping three inches of this very hard wood.
Throwing
I didnt have a true target to throw at, but I did have one of the logs from that one month old stump. I was able to throw the hawk very accurately, but could not get it to stick. I think this more operator error than tool error, its been almost ten years since I threw axes in boy scouts.
Digging
Digging is a area where I was truly shocked on this hawks effectiveness. The ground was frozen solid, as I begin swinging the spike to break up the soil. Within 4-5 swings, I had a 6-8 inch area of loosened dirt, which I scooped out with my hands. Ive used military etools for breaking up the soil, and in comparison, the hawk did much better.. Im sure in warmer weather I could have dug a foxhole, but even with the ground frozen, a slit trench or cat hole is easily possible. I also hammered a steak into the ground using the flat of the blade, it wasnt glamorous, but it worked.
Combat
Im not the best person to be evaluating this as a cqb weapon. I have only basic combat skills in hand to hand, and a little bit of knife training. Ive had no formal or informal training in axe or tomahawk fighting. That said, I would love to get some training, as the hawk balances well, swings great, and strikes in a very solid fashion at stumps and logs,. Im sure the combination of a 3 inch blade, a 2 inch spike, and a long handle to exert force with, would make this a truly awesome weapon in the right hands.
Sheath
The sheath is well made, but would not be my personal choice. If I win this hawk, or purchase one later, Ill probably contact survival sheath systems for a custom kydex. The sheath that arrived with the hawk is od green with two black clips to hold it closed. The sheath as loops for attaching it to a belt or pack. The hawk handle is placed into the sheath with the handle down into a hole. To draw the hawk, you must push up on the handle, and grasp the head to pull it back out. A excellent sheath for administrative carry, or to attach to a belt or pack. I would prefer one that is easier to access, but realize that would raise costs too much and each end user would most likely want to choose their own sheath.
Final Thoughts: I truly enjoyed my time playing with this tomahawk. IF I acquire one for myself, I will most likely get a new sheath, and take a class or two on hawk fighting. I believe this tomahawk is a excellent choice for a soldier headed over seas, or anyone wanting a multiuse tool for the outdoors. It is not the master of any task, but it is certainly a jack of all trades, being capable of chopping or trimming wood, digging holes, hammering stakes, or defending ones life. A great product, from a great company.
First Impressions
This hawks only beauty is through its function and excellent ergonomics. Its entire design screams usefulness and robustness. It is all black, with a very secure handle attached to a head with a 2.75 inch blade and a 3 inch spike. It balanced very well, and while the edge on the blade was not shaving sharp, it was certainly sharp enough for most tasks. I cut cardboard, some cord, and some paper as soon as I got it out of the package. I took a few practice swings with it, and was happy to find that the hawk was quite easy to reverse direction in mid swing to use the spike.
Chopping
I had to wait a few days for my day off, but it was worth the wait. The temperature on this January day was approximately 28-30 degrees.
I found a selection of different tree limbs, some extremely hardened and seasoned by years of the elements(approx 12 and 16 inch wide, one log which had been cut down a few weeks previous(8 inches), and a few branches that I cut on the spot with my Gransford Bruks hatchet(1-4 inches). I then started chopping. The hawk did extremely well on the fresh wood, and the one month log. It is a little too light for serious chopping, but is superb for cutting down branches, small trees or trimming stakes. I chopped through the mid sized log within a few minutes, and the branches in one to two swings. The log that was several years old was too much for the hawk. It was chipping, but I was having to exert too much force to get very far. I gave up after chopping three inches of this very hard wood.
Throwing
I didnt have a true target to throw at, but I did have one of the logs from that one month old stump. I was able to throw the hawk very accurately, but could not get it to stick. I think this more operator error than tool error, its been almost ten years since I threw axes in boy scouts.
Digging
Digging is a area where I was truly shocked on this hawks effectiveness. The ground was frozen solid, as I begin swinging the spike to break up the soil. Within 4-5 swings, I had a 6-8 inch area of loosened dirt, which I scooped out with my hands. Ive used military etools for breaking up the soil, and in comparison, the hawk did much better.. Im sure in warmer weather I could have dug a foxhole, but even with the ground frozen, a slit trench or cat hole is easily possible. I also hammered a steak into the ground using the flat of the blade, it wasnt glamorous, but it worked.
Combat
Im not the best person to be evaluating this as a cqb weapon. I have only basic combat skills in hand to hand, and a little bit of knife training. Ive had no formal or informal training in axe or tomahawk fighting. That said, I would love to get some training, as the hawk balances well, swings great, and strikes in a very solid fashion at stumps and logs,. Im sure the combination of a 3 inch blade, a 2 inch spike, and a long handle to exert force with, would make this a truly awesome weapon in the right hands.
Sheath
The sheath is well made, but would not be my personal choice. If I win this hawk, or purchase one later, Ill probably contact survival sheath systems for a custom kydex. The sheath that arrived with the hawk is od green with two black clips to hold it closed. The sheath as loops for attaching it to a belt or pack. The hawk handle is placed into the sheath with the handle down into a hole. To draw the hawk, you must push up on the handle, and grasp the head to pull it back out. A excellent sheath for administrative carry, or to attach to a belt or pack. I would prefer one that is easier to access, but realize that would raise costs too much and each end user would most likely want to choose their own sheath.
Final Thoughts: I truly enjoyed my time playing with this tomahawk. IF I acquire one for myself, I will most likely get a new sheath, and take a class or two on hawk fighting. I believe this tomahawk is a excellent choice for a soldier headed over seas, or anyone wanting a multiuse tool for the outdoors. It is not the master of any task, but it is certainly a jack of all trades, being capable of chopping or trimming wood, digging holes, hammering stakes, or defending ones life. A great product, from a great company.