Fort Turner Camp Hawk

M

Menawa

Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
8
Can't find any specs on Fort Turner's Camp Hawk (other than handle length). Does anyone know the weight, or how it feels compared to the Cold Steel Trail Hawk which weighs between 19 & 20 oz?
Your kindness will never be mentioned,
Menawa
 
I have both. The FT is heavier in the head and the handle is smaller in diameter. The FT also has a longer cutting surface. The poll is larger so precise hits are not so important.

They both throw well but I think the FT makes a better camp chore hawk.
 
I also have both the trail hawk and the FT camphawk. As hatchetjack says the FT is heavier with a bigger hammer poll and wider cutting edge. While the FT has a fairly thin blade, the trailhawk blade is even thinner. Sorry, but I don't have a scale accurate enough weigh the FT hawk but it is smaller than I expected it to be from the picture on the FT website. The handle is smaller in diameter and an inch shorter than the trailhawk. I gave the trailhawk to my son as it's dimensions and weight don't suggest it will double as an all around camping hatchet, plus I prefer the FT for throwing. Frankly, I don't think the FT camphawk is really big enough for more than splitting kindling but it is a bit heavier and I believe stronger than the trailhawk if you are going to use it for chopping. The FT's thin blade does make it a good "sticker" and it is relatively light so it doesn't tire the arm quickly. It's also a nice size to carry on walks in the field. Certainly the FT is a more substantial piece of steel than the trailhawk. But it ultimately boils down to your needs and preferences. My son has two trailhawks and loves them. His uses are also throwing and companion tool when out in the woods. For real hatchet/axe like utility out of a hawk, something bigger like an H&B large camp axe or a Bear Mountain Rainier seems a more likely choice. In fact, I am anxiously waiting for a Rainier belt axe to arrive. Once you start handling, throwing and chopping with some kind of hawk, you start to learn what your requirements/preferences really are. I must say that the trailhawk is an inexpensive place to start and should give a good starting reference point for future tomahawk acquisitions.
 
I am also interested in fort turner hawks, how is the overall quality and how well does the edge hold up?
 
I'm not a heavy user. I whack at small diameter deadwood that threatens my eyes and body along the woody trails my wife and I walk almost daily. That's the only practical "work" I do with them. Otherwise I throw them at wood. Unless I hit something other than the wood of the target, the edge holds up well. I usually clean the steel and touch up the edge with a coarse Spyder stick after use. It never needs much. I only have one Fort Turner and could only compare it to my other hawk, an H&B Shawnee. On that limited basis, the H&B seems to be better made and more completely finished. That said, I have no complaints about the FT. It's a fair exchange for the price. Service from FT was good also.
 
Thanks for the responses. I have two "Vietnam style" hawks, a Cold Steel Frontier, and three Cold Steel Trail Hawks. The Trail hawks are my favorites and I have modified all three for specific purposes: one for show, one for throwing, and one for carrying/camp use. I love its thin blade and lightweight utility, plus the cheap price. Looking at the Fort Turner Camp Hawk, I thought it might be a more useful camp tool with its wider face and larger hammer surface, but didn't want anything too heavy. From your comments, it sounds like it should be close to ideal for my intended purpose, but I am disappointed to hear that the handle is smaller in diameter. I guess I could wrap it to give my hand a better purchase however. Again, thanks for your comments.
Menawa
 
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