Crash Ax vs Kill Devil Hawk

BlackKnight86 · Apr 22, 2013

Hi, guys!

Was just wondering, since the Kill Devil Hawk has been out for a bit, what folks think about each? In playing around with mine, I personally like the feel of the Crash Ax a little bit better....it's a more compact package, in both manuevering and carrying; but that's just in terms of my own handling experience. They each cover a slightly different range of purpose; but there seems to be a lot of overlap. The Kill Devil has a better fighting pedigree; but then, it's not a dedicated fighter, so one would ideally not be carrying it specifically as a fighting ax. Plus, one could certainly fight with the Crash Ax...it just wouldn't be as effective. And then there's the steel difference....the toughness of S7 vs the edge holding of SR101.

So, assuming that one would spend more time in demo and cutting/chopping chores than pure fighting, which one would you guys prefer? Those who have both, what do you think of the two compared?

Thanks!

BK86

Hindsight · Apr 22, 2013

That is a great question. I have not played with a crash ax in a long time. Guess I have something to do this weekend.

snwbrdr202 · Apr 22, 2013

Hey BK, good to see you on here bruddah! I have both and I can tell you that the Kill Devil is a much more usable tool. The Crash Axe is a classic, no doubt. At .3" thick SR-77, you will never break the damn thing no matter how much you chuck it! However, it is heavy and the handle was just a bit too short for my liking (others thought it was perfect). The Kill Devil is thinner, has a longer distance between the head & handle, and just chops a little better due to a quicker swing weight. If you don't have one yet...I would snatch one up for sure! Instant classic.

Hindsight · Apr 23, 2013

Nice little review. I would have to agree.

=MAX= · Apr 23, 2013

I like them both a lot but the KDSH is in my pack 24/7/365. As the O'l saying goes to hard to decide so I need to own both.

Hindsight · Apr 24, 2013

Those are some well loved blades.

dingy · Oct 30, 2013

MAX,i really like your posts and your hard use style.

Vegas Blade · Nov 8, 2013

This post is making me JONES!!! I got notified by Trissy yesterday that my KDSH is done. My credit card was fired up in SECONDS.

Now in about 9 days she will be here. I plan on putting mine in my go bag at work. I'm a LEO. I can HONESTLY see many good uses for it as a real tool at work. Anything from a car crash to an emergency breaching tool. I really think about things like a fire or an active shooter scenario where we have to do multiple door breaches to gain access. This hawk looks like it will cut hinges off a door, or smash a car window out. Aside from the pure joy and fun of having it (my wife and I throw hawks together) it looks like a genuine work tool.

MattinLA · Nov 9, 2013

Max great pics! I was wondering, the butt of the handle looks used. Have you used it to breach a door or pry anything open? And if so how effective did you find it?

Thanks

=MAX= · Nov 11, 2013

Hi MattinLA no door breaching yet but soon I am sure. I have pried with it just not doors, lots of chopping and throwing. The butt end is mostly worn from throwing as it sticks into things from all angles and points. If you don't have one yet try to get one they are alot of fun. The below pics are examples of what I was able to do with the KDSH from about 30 feet away, it hits hard and bites deep.

Hindsight · Nov 11, 2013

That Hawk has seen some use. I like it.

oge14 · Nov 11, 2013

the pry end's work well after the spike open's a hole in something. the kill devil is easier to get a bite because of the taper. while the crash axe bite's a lot deeper. with the bigger hole required to get the pry end started. also the scale on the crash make's a nice fulcurm vs. the cord wrap version.

worldwood · Nov 12, 2013

Another vote for the KDSH!

I had both, but the CR had to go in order for me to get my chopweiler. I never regretted that choice for a second. The CR was a very nice hawk dont get me wrong, but i preferred the kill devil by a nice margin and the chopweiler is now my favorite blade.

Hindsight · Nov 12, 2013

Oge you have all the cool toys.

oge14 · Nov 13, 2013

nah just the one's that royaly tear stuff up.

jball1125 · Nov 14, 2013

Oge did you do the cord wrap on the KD brother? Looks bad arse!

MattinLA · Nov 14, 2013

Thanks for the info! I'm gonna get a KDSH soon I think. Do you guys prefer the Micarta or the cord wrap version?

worldwood · Nov 14, 2013

I have held both and prefer the cord wrapped. I know some others prefer the handled versions to reduce shock, but i use mine for throwing and playing mostly. If you are wanting it more as a chopper then the handled version might be the way to go.

The cord wrapped ones you have to find on the exchange or other secondary market, but the handled ones can still be had from the swamp.

oge14 · Nov 14, 2013

jball1125 said:
Oge did you do the cord wrap on the KD brother? Looks bad arse!

sure did and thank ya, that is a 4 bight, 17? lead turk's head knot.

jball1125 · Nov 14, 2013

oge14 said:
sure did and thank ya, that is a 4 bight, 17? lead turk's head knot.

That's awesome, gotta look up how to do that.

Crash Ax vs Kill Devil Hawk

Say my name, cheesers!