Full tang/fiber handled hawks.

From what I've seen and read, the GGG hawk is thick, heavy, and unwieldy. It would probably best serve in a breaching role where the objective was to pound through stuff versus quick cutting.

The K5 hawk is also thick, coming in at 3/8"... Never handled one, but I assume based on it's size and thickness, that it's also a heavy beast

The VTAC Lagana is the smaller and lighter, so it would probably be the fastest and have the best actual cutting/slicing capability, just based on the dimensions and pictures.

All these are opinions, and I haven't actually handled any of these in person... Just familiar with the designs, specs, and a few reviews from others.
 
The K5 is a heavy breacher, the edge is thick, so it's not for delicate work, wood chopping, and it's probably too heavy to be a fighting hawk. I'm sure it's well made, there's a good video review on You Tube, it's easy to find.

The GG&G Battlehawk is just as thick as the K5, both are 3/8" thick, throughout, they aren't tapered like a Winkler. The GG&G has a thicker edge angle than the K5, it is not going to chop wood, but it will break it, eventually. The 44oz weight is pretty massive, considering it's only 13" long. One negative, as a breacher, is the large opening behind the edge. It can get hung up on the inside of a car door, or house door etc.. and slow you down. You will need to wear gloves with this one, the G-10 is pretty textured, and has a sharp edge all around, it's tore up the palm of my glove, but it's grippy.
OTOH, it's indestructible, the DVD they sent with it shows them using it to wench a Toyota Landcruiser, the GG&G has a chain aroundthe handle and it's placed between some rocks. The 44oz weight causes lots of damage, it will force itself through sheet metal, break chunks off of fence posts, and the spike is very serious. I've thrown this one over and over, I'd hurt myself before I could hurt it.
I didn't plan it this way, but by owning the GG&G it has helped my endurance towards my other hawks. It's the same length as the Winkler-Sayoc, but it's 20oz heavier. So, after training with the GG&G, the Winkler feels very fast, to me.
It's not for everyone, nor would I grab it for backpacking, camping, fighting, bushcraft, throwing, or anything other than breaching. And then, I'd only carry it in a vehicle, not on my person.
One last item to mention, the sheath is great, it's a Buy Brown, the website doesn't mention that, but mine came with it.

IMG_0225.jpg


I've never held one of the LaGana's, but out of the three you mentioned, it would be the fastest in hand, for fighting.

You should also look at the Self-Reliance tools/Omnivore tools http://selfrelianceessentials.com/category/tomahawks/
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
I've got a Jackal and a Badger Claw ETA on order with Jared! He makes some mean stuff. I'm REALLY looking forward to testing his hawks out.

I'm also waiting for the Swamp Rat hawk to be released publicly... I'm hoping it will show up at the Blade Show next month.
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You've got to do a review of those once you get them. Jared's edges look very sharp, like they will make great wood choppers, at least more than the usual full tang hawk. At least take some pics of those, when you can.
 
foxx said:
You've got to do a review of those once you get them. Jared's edges look very sharp, like they will make great wood choppers, at least more than the usual full tang hawk. At least take some pics of those, when you can.
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Sure thing, man. I actually (when I get TIME), plan on doing a full review of a lot of stuff I have on order. This is what I've got in the works coming my way...

-RMJ Shrike (should be here within a few days!:D)
-SRE Badger Claw ETA
-SRE Jackal
-Brad Roe (Guild Knives and Tools) Heavy Ugly
-Winkler WKII Combat Axe


I'm also toying with the idea of putting in an order with JK Knives for either the Cassam hawk or the Urban Spike. As well as waiting for the Swamp Rat hawk to debut... Yes, I have a sickness :D
 
Wood Splitter said:
If your looking for a battle ready fighting hawk, look no further then RMJ Tactical.
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RMJ Tactical?

Edit: Nevermind. Too expensive for me. xD I think I'm pretty much going Bladetricks as they seem the only option I can afford with combat in mind, plus the owner seems like a good guy.
 
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VolundoftheForge, if you're looking for a value priced hawk with a full tang, be sure to check out the Condor throwing hawk. You can easily give it a cord wrapped handle and be set.

Also consider the Sog hawk with the fiberglass handle. I had one 3 years ago and the handle broke within 15 minutes of moderate use, right below the metal collar they use on the handle. They sent me a replacement and THAT one broke within 15 minutes as well, same place, same exact usage. I wasn't trying to break it or anything. I tell you that because apparently they've changed the composite a little bit to avoid air bubbles, which if present severely degrade the strength of the handle.
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
VolundoftheForge, if you're looking for a value priced hawk with a full tang, be sure to check out the Condor throwing hawk. You can easily give it a cord wrapped handle and be set.

Also consider the Sog hawk with the fiberglass handle. I had one 3 years ago and the handle broke within 15 minutes of moderate use, right below the metal collar they use on the handle. They sent me a replacement and THAT one broke within 15 minutes as well, same place, same exact usage. I wasn't trying to break it or anything. I tell you that because apparently they've changed the composite a little bit to avoid air bubbles, which if present severely degrade the strength of the handle.
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I got a Fasthawk back before Chistmas, for $20. I've thrown that thing many times at a dead tree stump and fence posts. I've beat the crap out of it, and it's going strong. The edge could come thinner, not just sharper, same for the spike. You can't use a top hand position on these either, it hurts for hard use, I guess it could be wrapped.
You know these are about the same length as a Winkler-Sayoc, 13", but they are only 19oz. It's not a bad "disposable" hawk, you won't be too hurt if you loose it, or loose interest in learning how to fight with a hawk. OTOH, it's like getting a POS as your first car, you know there are better cars, but can only imagine what is better. I wouldn't trust my life to the Fasthawk, where the RMJ's and Winkler hawks, and plenty of others, are stronger and better than my needs or skill set.
 
Just got my RMJ Shrike in the mail. What a BEAST! I just cut a grapefruit with it, super sharp. Sliced it EASILY in mid-air. Not what I would call a hard-use test, but still fun nonetheless.

Anybody got suggestions for evaluating once I have all these hawks delivered? I'm not trying to totally destroy any edges by chopping through sheet metal or anything (even though they would hold up to that), but I would like to see how all these hawks do, and especially what strengths/weaknesses each one has.
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
Just got my RMJ Shrike in the mail. What a BEAST! I just cut a grapefruit with it, super sharp. Sliced it EASILY in mid-air. Not what I would call a hard-use test, but still fun nonetheless.

Anybody got suggestions for evaluating once I have all these hawks delivered? I'm not trying to totally destroy any edges by chopping through sheet metal or anything (even though they would hold up to that), but I would like to see how all these hawks do, and especially what strengths/weaknesses each one has.
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do they have any budget models? I've seen the cheapest at 350
 
Check out Equinox Coronado. Vec's handles are tough to beat, and the warranty is second to none. They use modified Cold Steel Trail Hawk heads, which are generally well regarded. His prices were under $300 last I checked.

I keep holding off on getting another because he has a design in the works I am really excited about. They're a small business, but they will treat you right. I've never waited a full day for an e mail to be returned.


http://equinoxcoronado.com/
 
What design do they have in the works? I'd be interested for sure.

scouter27 said:
Check out Equinox Coronado. Vec's handles are tough to beat, and the warranty is second to none. They use modified Cold Steel Trail Hawk heads, which are generally well regarded. His prices were under $300 last I checked.

I keep holding off on getting another because he has a design in the works I am really excited about. They're a small business, but they will treat you right. I've never waited a full day for an e mail to be returned.


http://equinoxcoronado.com/
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swimmerdude1127 said:
Just got my RMJ Shrike in the mail. What a BEAST! I just cut a grapefruit with it, super sharp. Sliced it EASILY in mid-air. Not what I would call a hard-use test, but still fun nonetheless.

Anybody got suggestions for evaluating once I have all these hawks delivered? I'm not trying to totally destroy any edges by chopping through sheet metal or anything (even though they would hold up to that), but I would like to see how all these hawks do, and especially what strengths/weaknesses each one has.
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I thawed out a turkey breast to test out my Winkler RnD. IMO, it was a "flesh" test, and all it took was a swing from the elbow to pass through the ribcage. With my other hawks, I had an old metal folding chair. The GG&G, Renegade, and my Ontario RD Hawk put holes right through em, do damage to the hawks
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
What design do they have in the works? I'd be interested for sure.
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He calls it the "Daisy Cutter" because the hammer poll has a profile similar to a bomb. The type that would be dropped from a plane.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/724459-Daisy-Cutter-Protoype

They are a small company, but last time I asked he said they are still on a back burner as they get caught up.

That's not a utility hawk, by any measure. thick edge, long bit and narrow profile. It's got a purpose though, for sure.
 
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