educate me on 'hawks

Joined
Jul 25, 2011
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I have been looking for a new hatchet but these hawks have been catching my eye. do they fill the same role as a hatchet? Do they chop wood as well as a hatchet? Thanks
 
Hi there OKW
A hawk will work as a hatchet depending on size and shape of the head, any hawk will work in a pinch. IMO a hatchet works better for hatchet work but hawks are a lot of fun to throw and will do a hatchets work once you learn the technique.

Regards

Robin
 
Yeah they can. I'm using a Trail Hawk right now. If I have to do a lot of woodwork I wouldn't choose it but then again if I were doing a lot of woodwork I wouldn't use a hatchet either.;) They're good at starting campfires and shelter building. Basic camp stuff that some use big chopper knives for. You pretty much want to stick to wood as big as your forearm and smaller but IMO that advice goes for hatchets too.
 
and they are a lot of fun to just destroy stuff with.... just way cool and depending on your requirements, they are off the charts useful once you start using them as a tool.
 
I've come to appreciate the trumpet shaped hawk heads such as Cold Steel's Norse Hawk and Ft Turner's Buck Hawk.

Not only are they great out in the woods, but the wider curved cutting edge also serves as a handy impromptu meat cleaver and ulu.
 
I Really Like Ragweed Forge's British Belt Axe which is kind of a compromise between a hatchet and a hawk but a very nice one:
http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html

23c.jpg

A-23C; The British Belt Axe is very similar to those issued to British troops during the American Revolution. The pattern was used by both sides, and examples have been found in the camps of both Brittish and American forces. The head weighs about 16 ounces and has a 3 1/2" cutting edge. It has a pronounced poll, which was coming into favor at this time. This improves the balance for ordinary chores. It comes with a 18" handle for $43.

Here's nice review: http://bill-hay.com/Ax/Ax.htm
 
I like hatchets better for chopping or whittling out little things, hawks are a lot of fun and they are light if you wanted to pack one on a hike. It is how well you master the skills of each tools on how well they work. Hawks are a speed, flick of the wrist kind of tool to me for chopping, but that is how i kinda use the mini sized hatchets too. I live in Mtn. Grove if you want to come by the house. Give a few a go out in the drive way on the old chopping block. I have a couple cold steel hawks and and a bunch of well known hatchets to compare to, if ya like?

Pat
 
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