Damn...lost my hawk...get a BK9 now?

S

Survivormind

Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
399
Wow, I am seriously racking up the losses lately. BK11 and now this...

I left my hawk in a tree along the Sprague River 3 weeks ago. I would have gone back the next day but was totally out of gas budget for the month. I went back a few days ago and it was gone. Some clown sauce used it to unnecessarily limb the tree and hacked against the trunk a dozen times, pointlessly. I'd had hoped that at the minimum, it would go to someone worthy of the great tool that it was. I'm bummed and pissed at myself. :mad:

Since I need to replace it in a month or two, I wanted to ask those with BK9s and hawks what they think about the two side by side. Mostly, I'm concerned about their ability to cross-cut. I have no doubt the BK9 can outperform a hawk when it comes to splitting wood but how do they do on the crosscutting?

Survivormind
 
Depends on the tomahawk I suppose but I've found the 9 works much better than my CS hawks for where I'm at with lots of hardwood. I imagine it's the thinner edge getting a better bite.

On the bright side, you can always hope whoever is dorking around with your hawk drops it and loses a toe!
 
I have a hawk/hatchet but I prefer the 9. When using the 9 to get it to really perform amazing you can chop with it, but batonning with it is amazing!
 
a hawk with a proper edge profile will outchop the BK9 in just about anybody's hands.
CS hawks fresh from the wrapper generally do NOT have a proper edge profile.
HB Forge, Coal Creek Forge, Wolf Creek Forge hawks, OTOH... (see a trend in those names?)
 
1066vik said:
a hawk with a proper edge profile will outchop the BK9 in just about anybody's hands.
CS hawks fresh from the wrapper generally do NOT have a proper edge profile.
HB Forge, Coal Creek Forge, Wolf Creek Forge hawks, OTOH... (see a trend in those names?)
Click to expand...
I'm gonna go with Forged for $800 Erik
 
I had a wolf creek forge hawk and a BK9. I only have a BK9 now. Well actually, I have 3 BK9's.

The 9 is as good at chopping as the wcf hawk that I had and is MUCH more versatile.
 
+1 on the bk-4. I have one and I love it. Doesnt chop quite as well as my buddies 9 but very close. However I think it outshines the 9 in other areas due to the odd blade shape. For one it makes a great improvised draw knife.
 
BK9 is a great knife, probably the best all-around woods tool I've ever used. A 'hawk is a better chopper though.
 
1066vik said:
a hawk with a proper edge profile will outchop the BK9 in just about anybody's hands.
CS hawks fresh from the wrapper generally do NOT have a proper edge profile.
HB Forge, Coal Creek Forge, Wolf Creek Forge hawks, OTOH... (see a trend in those names?)
Click to expand...

That's great information from all of you.

I re-profiled the edge on my CS Pipe Hawk and it pretty much owned. Kept it razor sharp and could limb a tree so quick it amazed me. Sounds like the verdict is: Hawk wins in crosscutting but BK9 is more versatile overall. And look into the BK4...

Survivormind
 
I highly recommend the BK9, I love mine to bits.
You can buy one for splitting and another for chopping!
Why carry an axe/hatchet/hawk and a knife when you can have TWO BK9s!

Haha I digress, Each tool will shine with it's own specialized uses, from what I've seen the BK9 is an excellent option that can do just about anything this world has to throw at it in the brush.
 
1066vik said:
check out the "Ship builder's hawk" at HB Forge? :D
Click to expand...

I'm actually trying to find some more first hand info on one of these, as I'm in the same boat as the OP. My brother borrowed my CS pipe hawk for a week long canoe trip and liked it so much he's refusing to give it back. I saw the ship builder's hawk and really liked the blade shape, but I'd love an excuse to get a bk9.
 
asmith80 said:
I'm actually trying to find some more first hand info on one of these, as I'm in the same boat as the OP. My brother borrowed my CS pipe hawk for a week long canoe trip and liked it so much he's refusing to give it back. I saw the ship builder's hawk and really liked the blade shape, but I'd love an excuse to get a bk9.
Click to expand...

No one needs an excuse to buy a BK9! It's a freaking BK9! I've never had first hand with Ship builder's Hawkss but my buddy has, he likes for quick chops but he thinks it's a tiresome job if it's not biting quickly or if it's hard wood to cut.
He could just be a sissy though :P I'd look around at work for you but DoD locked down virtually everything so I can't help you on that asmith.
 
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