Discount hawks ?

L

LoneWolf7

Joined
May 26, 2008
Messages
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Hey everybody , I was looking at all the budget tactical hawks coming out lately and wanted some of your opinions . I am on a budget and i have always been facinated with them , i have owned a couple of trail hawks over the years but what do you guys think of these ?

United M48 hawk
Colt X-1 Tactical hawk
Sog Tactical tomahawk
Sog voodoo hawk :jerkit:
Condor TRT

Any reviews or opinions are appriciated , thanks
 
Personal opinon is these are mostly crap, except the Condor. United is made from AUS6, which isnt the greatest for a hawk. The Sogs are 420, IINM, which is even worse. Condor is made from 1070, and while I don't own one, I own several other Condors, all of which are great products at twice the price, though they could stand to have and edge thinning, but only a bit. Baryonx may sell them, and if he does, he might be willing to do just that for you.
It might also help if you define "budget". What's your range, 50-100? Also, what do you want the hawk for, breaching, outdoors work, throwing, general screwing around, etc?
And does it have to be a tactical hawk? I'm waiting on a Rogers' Rangers spike hawk from Fort Turner, which set me back a mere $110, plus shipping. A greatd deal, but you'll wait for a couple months. He has other hawks for under 100.
 
I have the SOG tactical hawk ,I like it and it chops pretty well but the spike freaks me out when I use it . I am thinking about making the spike shorter so I don`t have to worry about jabbing myself. The handle seems plenty strong enough for chopping and whatnot but throwing might cause it to break. Also if you have not handled one be aware of the thin handle . I may have to buy the new Voodoo hawk because of the head shape and handle cap both look like moves in the right direction.
 
the sog isn't bad (tactical...no experience with the voodoo). That being said, I'm partial to 1 piece hawks. On a budget, take a look at the browning black label hawk. you can find them for around $50 and they are 1055 solid construction. A bit more compact at 10.5", but worth a look
 
For screwing around, the SOG Fasthawk isn't too bad. I've thinned the main edge down a bit, I'll do the spike at some point. Mine has been thrown many, many times, at a dead black locust tree stump (very hard wood). I had imagined that something would have broke by now, but it keeps on going.
It's not a wood chopper, nor a serious breacher, well it's not a great hawk. In a pinch, I guess it's better than nothing, but don't take it to war.
That Black Label didn't feel too bad in hand, as far as the weight and size. The handle wrap is epoxied, so it's hard cordage, wear some gloves. The edge seemed alright, and the overall grind/head thickness was somewhat of a suprise. Seems like it would be better for a fight than the Fasthawk, IMO.
 
There's a pretty decent tactical style hawk on the for sale page right now from ARCHERHERE aka Chris Palmer
 
when i say budget i mean around 60-70 bucks btw .i love the look of the tac hawks but i would use it mostly for cleaning up trails on my property , and some throwing
 
If that's your price point I suggest a couple of condors; you could get a double bit and the spike combat model for probably 80 shipped if you shop around
 
thanks for all the help everybody , i hadnt seen that estwing black eagle but i cannot find a price . anybody know where to find one ?
 
LoneWolf7 said:
thanks for all the help everybody , i hadnt seen that estwing black eagle but i cannot find a price . anybody know where to find one ?
Click to expand...

The black w/ leather grips will be $57.10
The all black will be $53.10.
The blue one will be avail through Home Depot and the price is not known yet but it will prob be the most affordable.

They are hoping all will be avail for sale by end of October.
 
Just have to choose wisely. Lots of tactical hawks just aren't designed for wood chopping, the edges just aren't ground for it. Some of them are just too wide of an angle, and the thickness of steel behind the edge is just too much. The SOG Tactical and the Fasthawk aren't going to chop well, unless you change the edge angle. Even then, they still won't perform as well as a camping hatchet, the straight edge is for utility.
 
Both SOG hawks are excellent. The head design is very solid and effective. The balance between weight and function is right on the money for my needs. The fasthawk in particular is really a multi-tool, and I am a big fan of versatility. I prefer the stainless steel head also as I live in Hawaii, where carbon steel will rust quickly if not constantly cleaned and oiled.

Be aware that the handle kinda sucks out of the box, IMO. Simplest way to improve the grib is buy a handle wrap for a baseball bat (usually about $5).

I have a knot tying habit that allowed me to stumble on a more creative solution though... while paracord often is not the best handle material because it is very porous and therefore not sanitary to use around liquids (especially blood, for example). I put a turk's head knot on the handle of my fasthawk and sealed it with surfboard resin, which makes it completely waterproof. I then used a thick brush tool on a dremel and ground down the resin until the texture of the cord was revealed. This is now the best handle on any outdoors tool I have, good wet or dry and very easy to clean! It fits my hand perfectly and sometimes I go hiking or camping specifically so I can wield this baby :D

2clBg.jpg


The two grip knots are very effective, and meant for the index finger to sit over. One is at the balance point for light work and one is for chopping. This provides a grip that works so well that I haven't even thought of a lanyard! I would definitely recommend this tool, especially for the price. The hard nylon sheath they make for it is also very worth it.

SwDHi.jpg
 
I have a friend that has a sog fast hawk and he seems to like it but i have heard that the sog hawks have some problems with breaking the haft . Has anyone had this problem ?
 
LoneWolf7 said:
I have a friend that has a sog fast hawk and he seems to like it but i have heard that the sog hawks have some problems with breaking the haft . Has anyone had this problem ?
Click to expand...

The problem has been fixed, there were air bubbles in some of the original handles. I guess they worked out the manufacturing issues. Mine is doing great after much abuse, hard hits from throwing.
 
I just ordered a large spike axe from here..

http://www.hbforge.com/

At that price and talking with the guy you cannot beat it......the cutting bit is 1095 wrapped in 1018 and forged in a 500000 BTU furnace into one piece..
 
well i decided on the fast hawk , i got one yesterday and have been putting it through the paces now for two days . i have to say i am really pleased with the quality of the tomahawk so far . I dont know why but i think i have hawk fever nor lol . my next project is gonna be a estwing hatchet mod project
th
. gonna try to make it look like this
estwing14.jpg
, i have a machine shop in my basement so i think i can make that happen lol
 
I have both the (SOG)fast hawk and tactical hawk. In my opinion there not very usable. the blade is to thick and the spike is way to thick. The fast hawk is alittle better, i was able to get an edge on it, but it doesnt hold very long. The almost cut into my leg when i was splitting 2x4's for a fire,It totaly let me down. I mean it didnt even split wood. It got stuck 2 inches in and i had to hamer it all the way down till it split. If yer gonna get a "cheap" hawk stick with the cold steel brand. If you want a hawk that will look beautiful and be deadly than I suggest a handle forged one. though not cheap, they sure are great. Heres a place that makes hand made hawks and are usa made plus there "Cheap". Not on quality but on price.. HBFORGE

KNOTTY, That is a pretty sweet lookin tanto spike on the fast hawk......:thumbup::thumbup:
 
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