cold steel hawks???

Runsalone

Runsalone

Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
1,150
What does everyone think about cold steels line of hawks ? I have the trail hawk and the frontier hawk, the latter of which I have not used much yet. As a consequence of owning these I am completely enamored with the idea of usimg a hawk of some make or model for all my outdoor needs. I would like to know how to spot a good quality one for future reference. I have come to consider a hawk as my "perfect survival knife", and I am happy with the trail hawk and have used it for all sorts of projects , including dressing deer. I dont know how to look for a better or more funtional one however.
Any advise would be much appreciated!!!!!!
 
Hi!
Runsalone, it's funny because I've been in EXACTLY the same situation as you're now! Ive' been searching for a hawk in quiet some time to take it as "partner" in my outdoor trips and hunt trips.
In the begining I didn't knew it could be so much difference between differents brands of tomahawks, and since I've been well served by some of my Cold-steel knives I took a Trail Hawk and a Rifleman hawk!
They came to me with NO EDGE and a very disapointed TAIWAN writed on the head of the hawk...but anyway, I went to the local bladesmith who made a quiet OK edge on them...I tough they were OK...untill one day I meet some americans GI's playing with a Vietnam Hawk from American Tomahawk Compagny.
My first tough was "Damn it look much better in real life than on the pictures from internet". And then I took it in my hand...I can tell you brother I saw the light!This hawk is extremely well balanced, it's SHARP, and it's almost impossible to destroy (som of the GI's showed me how they could drive with a Humvee on it!!!).
So I buyed one, and since then it's on my side or in my backpack everywhere I go!
If I had to compare this 2 brands of Hawks (Cold-steel and American Tomahawk) it would be like to compare a Rolls royce and a Yugo...Honestly!
The service at ATC was very very great experience (ordered it on thursday from Denmark got it on monday!!!).I know that www.knifecenter.com have some in stock too.
I hope it can help you, but again, if you're looking for the one and only hawk, the 169$ a vietnam hawk cost might be the last dollars you spend on a hawk!
Oliver.
 
Howdy,
I love my Trail Hawk but I too have been looking for an upgrade. I order a Crash Axe from RJM Forge about a year and a half ago but have heard nothing. I was considering a hawk from ATC but I really want a hammer poll and the hawks I am interested in that they carry are all spiked. H&B has some nice ones but I really want something more modern looking and feeling. Let me know if you find anything.
 
WOW - These hawks are beautiful. I have been looking for someone other than RJM Forge that makes high quality traditional hawks. Do you know of anyone that has and actually uses one. These look great but at the price point, I might refrain from using one as a multipurpose hunting/camping tool. I spoke to the guys at ATC and they will make a custom Next Gen Ranger with a hammer poll - and a lifetime warranty.

Thanks for the info - I will definitely keep Mr Hansen on my wish list.
 
Hi Woodsman!
cool you could use it!
Actualy, if you want a multipurpose Hawk, then I'll go for the ATC...
I really like the ones Hansen make, but for multipurpose I'll allways have in mind "what if I break the handle"?
The ATC handles are virtualy undestructable...
RJM forge...good luck...I've send 3 mails to ask about availability they never answered...A friend of mine ordered a hawk from them for over 1 year ago...still nothing...
It's very important while buying a hawk to buy from a dealer who give a good service, and for me a good service start by answering customers mails!;)
 
I ordered (and paid) for a RJM hawk in April of 2002. No news yet. Still out $350. I was stupid to pay first.
I think I will go with the Hansen for the wall and the ATC for the woods. Thanks again for the input.
 
I have cold steels Vietnam,trail,rifleman and frontier hawks. I dont have any other brand of hawks so i cant relly compare them to others but like someone else said i have been happy with the quality of the cold steel knives i have so for the price i think i have a good valued product. I have only used the rifleman and trail because they all look so good i dont want to scuff them. The rifleman chops very very well (hard to get it out of a stump) but i find it a bit too heavy for carrying around in the bush so i carry the trail hawk. The trail is very light for the amount of destruction it can cause when chopping and even slashing in the bush and you could carry it all day without noticing the extra weight. I used to carry a kukri in my pack but now i carry the trail hawk cause it also throws very well and i enjoy throwing it as i walk along. I have only had them for about 6 months and have only taken the trail out maybe 5-6 times so it would be interesting to see what state it is in in say a couple of years.
 
Guess it's time for me to stick up for Ryan Johnson/RMJ Forge:
I have ordered and received a Duck hawk and a Singman hawk head from Ryan over the past 2 years. Like many of you I was very impatient for their delivery and talked with him a number of times . He is not dishonest or incompetent, simply overwhelmed with the number of orders he has backlogged, his new teaching position, loss of Bob in the shop, and the flood of military order which, you'll agree, should come first . Further, he's an artisan, not a businessman. His new system for orders should improve everybody's experience. Those of you who have orders outstanding...you'll get your hawk...be patient...it's worth the wait. My Duck hawk was ordered on Oct 9, 2001 and arrived, unannounced, on July 26, 2003.
I'm quite pleased with both my RMJ axes . I use the Singman heavily ; the Duck I use, but not as much - it's almost too beautiful to use. Give Ryan a chance and you will eventually have your hawk.
 
Originally posted by B.C
I have only had them for about 6 months and have only taken the trail out maybe 5-6 times so it would be interesting to see what state it is in in say a couple of years. [/B]
Click to expand...


I have used my trail hawk for all kinds of chores and it just keeps on kicking. Its cut through several 12- 14 inch trees (just to test the edge endurance) and held up impressively. The most recent work it did was a young buck my brother shot. I wanted to test it as a survival instrument and I figured as such it should be able to dress a deer. Some parts of that job are just suited to a smaller knife, but the hawk held up very well, we cut all four legs, the head, both slabs of ribs and the pelvic structure (very carfully) with the hawk, then I slid the blade off the handle and used it much like an ulu (sp) to skin the deer out (not all in this particular order of course)

After cutting all that bone material, and busting up 4 or 5 milk jugs frozen full of ice (just cheaper)with the blade and hammer pole I expected the edge to be in pretty bad shape. Now, considering that it was shaving sharp when I started I expected a mangled mess due to the thin edge. That said, it was still quite functional there was a small chip or two in the edge but considering the hell we put it through (REALLY..NO MERCY!!!) I was quite impressed. What inpressed me even more was how quickly and easily it took back an edge, about 15 minutes total-light work on the diamond stone to rub out the chips and then a little polishing with a ceramic triangle. Couple of good runs on an old leather belt and she's hair flinging sharp again, no sweat!
Overall for the money, I am very happy with this tool. I wish I could post a pic of the asthetic improvments I made, as they are very plain from the factory.
 
Hi Runsalone!
well you asked for advices so you got some :)
If you're pleased with Cold-steel tomahawks then you'll fall in love for other brands!Peter Laganna was well know for cuting up Deers with his Vietnam Hawk!
I really like some of Cold-steel knives, but when speaking about Tomahawks to campare a Cold-steel with a ATC or RMJ is about to compare a Hummer and a yugo!Believe me!
Endgame, I'm sure RMJ is a very honest guy,and damn professional, it's great you was lucky to receive one of his hawks,but you have to agree that when you pay for a Tomahawk and wait over 1 year without even receive a mail you will be pissed off! And even more when you're not alone in this situation...And let's say you didn't but you're a guy intersted in a well made Tomahawk, what will you say about a knife maker if you send him about 4 mails and never got ANY answer? :grumpy:
There is a lot of goods Tomahawks out there,some are better than other, and unfortunately, a lot of people can easely use 200 or 300 $ for a knife but think it's stupid using 170$ for a Tactical hawk!:confused:
And like for knives, you can find a good sheap knive that will do the job...but can't compare a Strider or a Busse to a sheap taiwnan made knife.(and yes...on my cold-steel hawks there is writed TAIWAN)...
 
It's good to see so many hawk lovers out there. I have to admite that I have become obsessed with making hawks, thats all I want to make anymore. I thank you guys for your kind words concerning my hawks but I would like to add that my hawks are made to use, and very much so. It's nice to hear someone would like to adorn there home with one of my pieces but they are really meant to use. Most of mine are forged from a single piece of 52100 and taken through a very long heat treating process, for optimum performance. But has been mentioned hafts can break if miss used, especially when a target is missed. For a heavy user adorned with natural wood it's hard to beat good old Hickory but for those that use less and admire more, curly maple is candy to the eye. I am in the process of radically changing my finishing method and hope to have something you can see on my web page in a couple of months. Be patient with Ryan, he'll come through. I to require payment before shipping but one thing I require from all my customers is that they hold payment until I am one or two days from completion. At that point I notify them and by the time I recieve payment the hawk is complete and ready for shipment. It's really a good time for hawk buyers these days because there are truly several talented craftsmen out there.
Lonnie
 
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