I found the set screw useless for any purpose. Misunderstanding its purpose when I first got the trailhawk, I tightened it up and started throwing the hawk. Being a complete beginner, I mostly failed to make the hawk stick and subsequently put a nice gouge in the handle made by the set screw as the head came flying off the handle. I removed the screw. As my throwing skill improved, I found I just had to tap the handle tight every once in awhile....no biggie. As for tightening the screw to chop with, I don't think the trailhawk should be pushed much beyond splitting kindling and it's last choice if you've got better alternatives. It's real light weight tool. I gave away both the trailhawks I bought a couple months after I purchased them. They are a great introductory throwing toy. They got my son excited about the hobby. The thin blade is eay to stick. The light weight doesn't wear you out. But it is entry level quality and doesn't compare well to hand forged hawks that cost as little as $20 more. There is a world of difference. My son has already killed one of the trail hawks through no intentional abuse. The first time he hit the hammer end of one with the cutting edge of the other [while throwing] the blade bent....the beginning of the end. Two words: hand forged......an opinion...that's all.
