Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk, thoughts and such...

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
So how many of us have one? A Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk?

I am thinking of getting one.

This seems to be a really great tool.

And wicked in a cool way.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

Check out my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper. http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/kasperafck.html

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770/index.html


 
We're in the same boat.I saw them mentioned in a recent post, and have been thinking of getting one, primarily for the historical value. Some background research would probably be interesting, as I understand that their issue and use in Nam was very limited.Perhaps some members have information they could share.

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
I don't know if this is what you are looking for but the tomahawks were never "issue" in Vietnam. They were all private purhase items like most of the knives carried over there. The Cold Steel model is accurate as I borrowed an original for Lynn to copy. It was hard to tell the copy from the real thing.
 
They are a good close combat weapon but only a fair wood chopper. The standard hatchet model is better for normal use.
 
I`ve got one of the`Nam hawks. I bought it for the "oooh thats cool" factor. It seems to be a well made piece. It`s painted a medium green color and comes with a sturdy leather sheath. The head of the hawk is made of some very hard steel. I attempted to even up the grind with a file and pretty much gave up. The only modification I made was drilling a lanyard hole in the end of the handle. It`s an interesting addition to my collection.

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never a dull moment
 
I have one, primarily a collection piece. It seems to be very well made and not too heavy. In my untrained hands it moves very fluently. I remember a very old issue of Fighting Knives (the one with the damascus Halo 1 on the cover, I believe) in which James Keating thought very highly of the Tomahawk as a close combat weapon, perhaps you could contact him for more information through his ComTech site.


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www.geocities.com/Collegepark/Residence/4027/


 
I was there in `66-`67.I never saw one.I would have, if they were in use.I saw plenty of strange weapons.

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A friend of mine that I used to work with before he retired carried one in Viet Nam as well as a lot of people in his company. I think they got busted for them when they took a journalist out into the field with them. The journalist did a report from the field and voila they weren't allowed to carry them anymore. I think it was the 173rd AB. Not positive though. I should look him up and get the scoop. I know it was an area that had a ton of tunnels around it. Keep'em sharp
 
Mr. Dick, glad to see you've surfaced and no longer lurking, your experience and wisdom will be appreciated.

As for me, I have plans to modify a Spax by removing the lower cutting edge down to 2 inches or so and seeing if the fun quotient goes up. -Brian
 
I bought one because I thought the spike opposite the blade would balance it out and make it a good throwing hawk (throwing knives and such is a hobby of mine). I was right, it throws really well, but the handle is too flimsy and it split after a short while. Some duct tape took care of the problem and I still throw it though...
 
I got a couple of them from Cold Steel when the company first offered them for sale. Unfortunately, it took many months for mine to arrive, as Cold Steel had tons of problems with their supplier and couldn't seem to get any of them delivered till nearly a year after they first offered them for sale in their catalogues.
I tried sharpening mine as a curiosity thing, and the blades on them are now hair-popping sharp. Really! I used a fine-grit belt on a belt sander clamped into a workbench vise upside down to lengthen the edge bevel to allow thin enough metal at the edge for a lotta sharp. A whole lotta sharp. And bear in mind that these things were designed for combat, not wood chopping. That said, they're well designed (copied from the originals) for quickly and effortlessly separating parts of human beings from the human beings.
 
Hi All,

I have one just for collecting and fun. It looks VERY authentic with military like green wooden handle and greenish-grey painted head. it is another replica of Mr Thompson I think is just Irresistable.



[This message has been edited by AG (edited 12 September 1999).]
 
I kinda recall seeing the photograph that got them banned....the soldier was holding a severed human head suspended by the hair. He actually had posed for the pic.
Bad PR
And that is ALL I criticize him for!



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Brian W E
ICQ #21525343
Money : spend it before it's all gone

 
I went to buy a Vietnam Hawk, and instead I obut the Rifleman's Hawk.

The Vietnam was too small, and felt weird, strange balance.

But the Riflemam Hawk is very nice. I used my new Livesay Little Pecker to put grooves in the handle, very nice. Great balance, effective blade, and useful.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.

 
FWIW... soldier of fortune did an article on 'hawks in the early to mid 80's. now i'm sorry that i gave all of my old issues away.
 
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