D2 Plataxe from Platatac,Downunder

JayGoliath

JayGoliath

Joined
Mar 27, 2010
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4,988
LFT01 tactical tomahawk is ready for the extreme end of Hardcore use as an impact/MOE/CQB tool. At two-thirds the size of our BFT01- 02 hawks, the LFT01 is designed for those operators who require a more compact tool capable of devastating performance.

The primary cutting head is razor sharp and the spike at the business end of things has a modified tanto point specifically designed for maximum penetration. Its pommel is well suited for hammering and incorporates a large lanyard hole for the attachment of a carabineer or rope lanyard. The LFT01’s ergonomic G10 handle has been designed for multiple handhold positions to suit all operators, during single or double-handed use.

Some of the tasks we expect you'll use our LFT01 for include the following: chopping, hammering, digging, cutting, as a climbing aid, defeating locks, smashing windows & windscreens and raking out their frames, puncturing steel radial tyres, smashing steel clad doors and breaking through walls including those made of brick.

The LFT01 is constructed from D2 tool steel, has a robust black Teflon coating and G10 contoured handle. Our G10 grip scales are available in coyote & black and are secured with Torx screw, all steel fittings
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hha_lft01_02.jpg

hha_lft01_03.jpg


I like the shape a lot. Black one looks the best.
Could D2 be a good stock for impact-prone application?
 
HandAxeProMan said:
Looks awesome. Are you going to do a complete evaluation and post it for us?
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Hi HandAxeProMan,

I'm not getting it. Waiting for a Winkler though.
The ergo looks good but i'm not too sure about D2.

It says D2-K100
If it's made from Bohler K100 it's a D3 with slight more toughness than D2 whilst maintaining the high wear-ness.
 
Guys D2 is a super tough steel and virtually unbreakable if heat treated correctly. Seen it useD in applications from cut throat razors, high end tactical fighting knives, in industrial cutting blades and even swords. Have no doubt D2 can take the worse kind of abuse and is ideally suited to impact apps.

After seeing this thread, I did some back-ground checking and came across a piece on Soldier Systems http://soldiersystems.net/2011/12/21/plataxe/

Accept for the similarity in the high hand hold this platax looks pretty rad and kinda over engineered next to the Winkler at less than 1/2 the price.

If anyone gets on to one before new year can you post a review? I'm a bee's dick away from taking a chance on this. It just looks tough as f#$*!

Jontan888
(It's an asian thing)
 
Jontan888 said:
Accept for the similarity in the high hand hold this platax looks pretty rad and kinda over engineered next to the Winkler at less than 1/2 the price.
Jontan888
(It's an asian thing)
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Daniel Winkler and Ryan M.Johnson have a lot under their belt and they have been working with special teams for their feedback.
My Talon and Kestrel have continued to amaze me and the excitement of waiting for a Winkler is hard to conceal.

The profile and shape is very well-defined. Performance-wise I haven't heard any application on D2 so i can't say much.
Maybe a video or two will be essential to back-up the rap sheet. At 12.5" it's pretty compact.
Hopefully they are that good.

BTW, I'm an Asian, what's an asian thing?
 
Is the primary bevel on this concave? If so, design error, especially with using D2 steel. IMO, and in industry's, D2 is the wrong steel for this application. Any of the S series steels, 5160, 9260 or even 10XX steels would be better for the application. Do some research of how industries outside of the knife/axe industry, review charpy test info, etc and it will be evident.
 
Take a look at the steel manufacturer's website linked, click on the little computer monitor next to the K100 listing. You will download their Cold Work tool steel PDF. There is a chart showing basic characteristics of their tool steels. K100 is the LOWEST rated steel for toughness out of this class of steel they make. If you are chopping, bashing, prying and torquing this is the most important property if you want the tool to survive.

http://buau.com.au/english/b_2536.htm
 
I don't know about D2..... Maybe they can heat treat it in the low 50's and get it tougher? That's well over 10% chrome in the alloy. I would expect chipping. I guess it depends on the warranty; if the back it then it doesn't matter
 
Kabar offers a fixed blade fighting knife in D2 (D2 Extreme model). I'm not well-versed in steel properties or metallurgy, but I would assume D2 is fairly durable for rugged edged weapon use.
 
Jontan888 said:
Guys D2 is a super tough steel and virtually unbreakable if heat treated correctly. Seen it useD in applications from cut throat razors, high end tactical fighting knives, in industrial cutting blades and even swords. Have no doubt D2 can take the worse kind of abuse and is ideally suited to impact apps.

After seeing this thread, I did some back-ground checking and came across a piece on Soldier Systems http://soldiersystems.net/2011/12/21/plataxe/

Accept for the similarity in the high hand hold this platax looks pretty rad and kinda over engineered next to the Winkler at less than 1/2 the price.

If anyone gets on to one before new year can you post a review? I'm a bee's dick away from taking a chance on this. It just looks tough as f#$*!

Jontan888
(It's an asian thing)
Click to expand...

This seems a lot like a sales pitch, especially for a first post on this website. Do you work for Platatac or Hardcore Hardware?
 
it's a fantastic knife steel. It's not a fantastic breaching axe steel. Too brittle. Too much chrome. Much better choices available. It may work fine as a woods tool, but they advertise it specifically for breaching applications. Maybe they have a lower hardness heat treat that is working well for them?

The hawks that are 'heavily inspired' by the RMJ original designs are another issue
 
The price for the Platatac hawk on the site is $349. For $25 extra, I'd be more inclined to purchase a Shrike from RMJ.
 
There's plenty of worthwhile info out there on the properties of D2 and heaps of credible knife and tool makers use it and rave about its superior quality. We’ve come a long way since the middle ages and backyard forgings. On heat treat the common thread amongst the actual “experts” is just how important it is, lets hope HH they got it right, time will tell I guess. Maybe the other players don't use D2 coz it's too much like hard work or they just don't know how to make it work?

Found these on another Tac hawk - looks ok to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNQZclhW4jA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqJiQh9qahg

$349? I thought they were $379? What's the wait on an rmj/winker? What I don't get is why the HH site doesn't have them listed but plat does??? Can any of the other Aussies chime in hear?

Merry Christmas to all!

Jontan888
(It's an asian thing)
 
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Jontan888 said:
There's plenty of worthwhile info out there on the properties of D2 and heaps of credible knife and tool makers use it and rave about its superior quality. We’ve come a long way since the middle ages and backyard forgings. On heat treat the common thread amongst the actual “experts” is the heat treat and how important it is, lets hope they got it right, time will tell I guess.

$349? I thought they were $379? What's the wait on an rmj/winker? Do they export? What I don't get is why the HHA site doesn't have them listed but plat does??? Can any of the other Aussies chime in hear?

Merry Christmas to all!

Jonatan888
(It's an asian thing)
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absolutely, there is tons of info on all modern steels. That is why it's confusing why it was chosen for a breaching tool. A2 is twice as tough. S7 is seven times tougher.
 
Zombiechopper said:
absolutely, there is tons of info on all modern steels. That is why it's confusing why it was chosen for a breaching tool. A2 is twice as tough. S7 is seven times tougher.
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Good heavens, quoted for truth!

Jon8cubed, some of us might not be as novice as you'd suppose. Of course proper HT brings out the most from a steel! But in the end, different steels were ENGINEERED to perform different jobs. D2 (or in this case D3 -which has LOWER toughness than D2) is not ideal for this job. Doesn't mean it won't work, just not the best. Take the time to research, heck send an email to an apps engineer or metallurgist at Boehler and see what they say.
 
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