Beginners Tomahawk

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guitardemon

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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I’m looking for a reasonable priced (maybe $50 or less). Beginner’s tomahawk. Ill probably attach it to my day pack and use it for day hikes, so it would have to be useable for general chopping needs. I really like the look of the old Indian tomahawks (the ones that look like they have a hammer on the back) and the one that was used in Vietnam. Would anybody be able to suggest a tomahawk to me??
 
For $50 or less i'd reccomend H&B Forge http://www.hbforge.com/. Their good durable hawks that come with a good handle and a good fit. I own their shawnee hawk with a medieval spike on the back.

If you want somethign more decorative maybe try Ragweed Forge, he can also put a mean edge on your hawk. I own a slasinski hammer hawk from him and it's nice, http://www.ragweedforge.com/s-ha.jpg . The slasinski is lighter, faster, and comes sharper than the H&B but the head/handle fit isnt as good and it's not as durable.

I'd stay away from Cold Steel though unless you wanna put in a lot of work to get it sharp and secure.

If you wanted to spend a bit more money i'd suggest Bear Mountain. I own their frontiersmen hawk which I like alot, comes with a good sheath and they have great customer service. Their cheapest hawk is around 100 though.
 
Fort Turner tomahawks are another good hand forged American hawk. Dana Turner will help you select one for your needs. Cold Steel isn't bad. The do take a little work to make them better but you could end up with something pretty nice for about 20 bucks like these:

f40e458c.jpg
 
Hatchetjack. I am totaly amazed with what you can do with a cold steel tomahawk.
 
I don't have a camera like Hatchet Jack, but I did mod a CS Frontier hawk. It took all of 30 min work and is alot like his. CS is OK.
You can get a CS and modify like Hatchet Jack or just get a H&B like Brody R. suggests, and then you can still mod it! I'm a H&B pimp ( best value) and I don't own one, but my rondy buddies do, though. Those Ft. Turner hawks look like real sweeties.... hint, hint
 
Hatchetjack those are some kick ass hawks. I really like that one in the front. Is that the Trail Hawk? What modifications did you make to it? It looks like you sanded the black finish off the blade and added some leather. Did you stain those handles and then burn them? Also did you make any modifications that make the head stay firm? I have heard that they become loose easily.
 
Thanks. Yes, it is a Trail Hawk. Check Elite Tactical Sources for decent prices and reasonable shipping.

Here's what was done:

1. removed head from haft
2. sanded clear coat from hickory
3. stripped black finish from head
4. apply 3 coats Birchwood/Casey gun blue to head
5. using a 1/2 round file, custom fit head/haft
6. burn patterns using propane torch
7. stain haft (3 coats dark walnut)
8. apply many coats of linseed oil. this takes several days to get a nice satin rubbed finish
9. reattach head and press together in a vise if you have one
10. add brass tacks for decorations if desired
11. paracord wrap is done with a hangman's knot. I used about 22' for the handles on the Frontier Hawk

Eventually, you will get some slippage from throwing. To me it's not a big deal. I have that happen on higher priced hawks too. I heard an arbor press is a good way to secure them but it doesn't bother me to tap them back in once in awhile.

The only one I haven't had slip yet for a 2 piece is an ATC VTAC.

Here's a pretty easy one using paracord, electrical tape and Krylon OD paint. It doesn't take long at all to do. Fitting is the most time consuming. I pinned this one and it seems to be holding well.

1_7_06001.jpg
 
Awesome! Thanks for the info. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me where to pick up some gun blue. I think I have a little bit in the garage, they got used of a few black powder guns I put together, but I’m not sure if it is enough. Can you buy it at any gun shop?
 
A gun shop or sporting goods store that sells hunting stuff will have it. There is also gun browning solution. I have seen some hawk blades that used browning and they looked very nice also.

The Frontier Hawk takes the bluing better than the Trail Hawk. I think it may be an alloy thing. Paint stripper works well on the Trail Hawk for removing the shiny black finish.

Give it a go and post some photos when you're done. I've been throwing that Trail Hawk in the photo for over a year now and it's probably my favorite.

There are some that use rawhide strips to wrap the head to the handle. It looks very strong and my next project will be one of those.

I think the Cold Steel hawks are a great raw material to build your own customized hawk. Sure you can spend 2, 3 or even 5 times more for one of the other makers but all it takes is one bad throw to knock a head off or split a handle on one of those too. I did those 3 in the photo for about 60 bucks.
 
these are the steps that were used to mod my CS frontier hawk:
1) remove paint from head using my buddie's wire wheel. < 5 min.
2) apply cold blue to head. It was 44-40 brand. A q-tip was the applicator. @ 15 min.
3) burnished the handle with propane torch using masking tape to cover the unburnished part of the handle. It was the barber pole spiral pattern.@ 15 min.
4) applied final finish to handle which was a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine. < 5 min.
Total time of project @ 35-40 min. Total cost: stuff already on hand.
If you don't have a friend with a wire wheel ,sand paper will work.
Its really easy to make a good looking hawk with minimal work. It helps if you have friends with tools b/c I don't have a propane torch either.;)
 
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