another day hike: tomahawk vs. axe.

[upnorth]

that's an awesome find! it should clean up nicely.

Thanks, but it's finished. Hours in electrolysis, a brass wire brush scrub down in fresh water. Baked in oven for a while at 200 degrees. Then final coats of conservators wax. Same stuff that museums use. It has been stable for several years now.

 

[Zemapeli]

Nice thread.

 

[utah_fish]

Excellent review and pics. Thanks for doing this. I've got a nice hawk too but it does not compare to any of my hatchets or axes for power, especially with our tough splitting wood out here.

 

[BillyJoeBobJim]

Oops, wrong thread...but I enjoy your trip threads and photos.

 

[JV3]

Thanks, but it's finished. Hours in electrolysis, a brass wire brush scrub down in fresh water. Baked in oven for a while at 200 degrees. Then final coats of conservators wax. Same stuff that museums use. It has been stable for several years now.

got any pics of how it turned out? what's the reason for baking it in the oven?

Nice thread.

thanks!

Excellent review and pics. Thanks for doing this. I've got a nice hawk too but it does not compare to any of my hatchets or axes for power, especially with our tough splitting wood out here.

thanks! this 'hawk is just downright fun to use.

Oops, wrong thread...but I enjoy your trip threads and photos.

thanks!

 

[upnorth]

The low temp baking was to remove any lingering moisture after electrolysis. The entire process is to stop rust and preserve the 200+ year old fur trade belt axe.

 

[A.L.]

This winter I tested tomahawk for the first time. I was impressed how good chopper it is, but I didn't like it as splitter at all (too lightweight head). Pretty darn good companion if you want to save the weight though.

 

[JV3]

The low temp baking was to remove any lingering moisture after electrolysis. The entire process is to stop rust and preserve the 200+ year old fur trade belt axe.

ah, got it...thanks!

This winter I tested tomahawk for the first time. I was impressed how good chopper it is, but I didn't like it as splitter at all (too lightweight head). Pretty darn good companion if you want to save the weight though.

yup - that's the key for me. it's light enough and fun to use that i'll take it with me far more often than any of my axes.

 

[JV3]

JV3 you're an awesome reviewer! I learn from your posts and enjoy them. Thank you. I guess you came to the same conclusion many of us did a long time ago...a mule can be used as a horse but a horse doesn't pack like a mule. The hawk is a fighting tool and is designed for quickness, tip speed and deep-deep cuts which are to pass through bone, muscle and flesh. It isn't designed to split or separate the interlaced fiber of plants/wood. It is designed to be nimble in one's hands to be use as a bludgeon and long knife all in one. An effective splitting axe and wood processor it does not make. A hawk can be used to process wood but unlike its cousin the hatchet or axe it is really as effective.

thanks, man! i've had several months more use with the h&b tomahawk and i can now say i prefer it over most of my gb axes...in fact, i'll be getting rid of most of them since i don't use them anymore save for the scandinavian for when i have to chop a dead standing tree (which i rarely do - whether out of need or fun).

 

[notajerryskid]

Nice comparison. I was turned on to Hawks when I traded for one, Now I have (2) 2hawks. One long hawk and one war beast. I have a GF small forest axe as well and will no longer use the small axe.

Which hawk are you useing? the small, med, or large? sorry If I missed that.

 

[bored2deth]

Good review and pictures. I liked the two axe pose pic, you look youre ready to throw down with a grizzly.

 

[JV3]

Nice comparison. I was turned on to Hawks when I traded for one, Now I have (2) 2hawks. One long hawk and one war beast. I have a GF small forest axe as well and will no longer use the small axe.

Which hawk are you useing? the small, med, or large? sorry If I missed that.

thanks! that's the shawnee tomahawk.

Good review and pictures. I liked the two axe pose pic, you look youre ready to throw down with a grizzly.

thanks! what i didn't show is my extra pair of underwear and bear spray nearby in case a bear does show up