Good tomahawk?

erhodes

erhodes

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
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536
Hey guys and gals. I'm looking for a good tomahawk to take with me on field exercises and maybe deployments. I'm active duty with the 82nd infantry and am a weapon squad team leader. I want one that I can use to make firing positions, fires and other random things that we infantry guys come up with :). I've been looking around and rmj hawks look pretty awesome but not sure I can swing the price for one. What do you guys recommend as a good one that can take a beating and still be light enough to not weigh down my already heavy pack?
 
Swamp rat makes the Rattle hawk and the Kill Devil sniper hawk.

For deployment, I'd probably choose the kill devil.

I have the rattlehawk.

I am not, however, a soldier, or operator, or any thing else impressive.

I do own and use hawks. I've been throwing them for about 15 years.
 
RMJ is pricey but worth it, I pm pretty sure they offer a discount to military guys.
They come up for sale in the exchange occasionally aswell. But I've also heard good things about the swamp rat ones.
 
While I am not in the military, I have a couple of RMJs and love them all. They may not be the cheapest, but they are strong, hold an edge well, and take a beating. I keep on in my truck, carry a small one on my pack when I go hunting, and always have one camping. Whichever way you go, thank you for your service, and stay safe!


Jerry
 
I may have to splurge at some point. After looking at all the rmj tomahawks I really am liking some of the designs. The berserker looks like it could really do some work.
 
I think I would also look at Eastwing, Cold Steel, and some of the other options on the lower end of the price band. That will give you one to test some to see if the tool is a good fit for you. If it's not, you aren't out much. If you like it but that tool isn't up to your wants/expectations then you have a better idea of what you want in the next one. Then, put down more money on it. It sucks when you spend a lot of cash and get a model which wasn't the bit fit for you.

I took a Lagana VTAC with me to OEF and after a few trips out the wire it was put in my duffle till I returned home. Sold it to my Brother when I got back. For me, it didn't fit into my needs enough to justify the weight and costs. Your mission may dictate more need for it than I had.
 
I got a rmj shrike and love it, insulated handle for cutting power or going through walls with power and damn near indestructible. I got the 15.5 inch model and it is a keeper; I say shell out the cash and grab a shrike. Lifetime warranty against failure and a resale value that rivals gold.

Good luck brother I got out the army in 2012. Come back whole and healthy.
 
I never understood the military tomahawk. It doesn't do a good enough job at anything to justify the weight for an infantryman IMHO.

An e-tool does a better job digging in and filling sandbags... but on the other hand hesco bastions and front end loaders do a better job still. Breaching requires breaching tools.

If you are going for the fun and morale boost... you don't have to go with the top shelf hawks. Unless you want to ofc.

Get what you enjoy and be prepared for the reality that it might spend most of it's life in a footlocker somewhere. If regulations don't get it, weight on foot patrol will.

I'm not going to recommend a tomahawk. I'll instead recommend extra batteries for your critical combat enhancing gear or an e-tool.

RMJ, ATC, Winkler, CRKT, Cold steel, Swamp rat, benchmade and SOG all make tomahawks.
 
There is a video rmj put out on where the guy brings up how a squad of infantryman were saved by using a rmj hawk to put a hole in a concrete building and escape being pinned down for days.

In todays urban settings I can see how something like the shrike is very worth its weight imho.
sideways said:
I never understood the military tomahawk. It doesn't do a good enough job at anything to justify the weight for an infantryman IMHO.

An e-tool does a better job digging in and filling sandbags... but on the other hand hesco bastions and front end loaders do a better job still. Breaching requires breaching tools.

If you are going for the fun and moral boost... you don't have to go with the top shelf hawks. Unless you want to ofc.

Get what you enjoy and be prepared for the reality that it might spend most of it's life in a footlocker somewhere. If regulations don't get it, weight on foot patrol will.

I'm not going to recommend a tomahawk. I'll instead recommend extra batteries for your critical combat enhancing gear or an e-tool.

RMJ, ATC, Winkler, CRKT, Cold steel, Swamp rat, benchmade and SOG all make tomahawks.
Click to expand...
 
Well, if you like the look of RMJs, but they're too pricey take a look at the CRKT Kangee. It's also designed by Ryan Johnson, the man behind RMJ, but is significantly more affordable.
 
I suppose... though I'd rather use breaching tools for that job. The pick on a Halligan bar and a sledge hammer would work better than a hawk or if you are in a rush an explosive charge would work. A tomahawk would be a poor substitute IMHO.

I'm getting off topic though.

Good hunting OP and enjoy your hawk. :thumbup:
 
Check out a memnber here StormCrow. He is the owner of Helm Forge in TX, makes wicked Hawks. Good prices and he is a huge military supporter and all around good guy. I own 2 of his Hawks and a custom knife he did for me. You won't go wrong wih him
 
sideways said:
I suppose... though I'd rather use breaching tools for that job. The pick on a Halligan bar and a sledge hammer would work better than a hawk or if you are in a rush an explosive charge would work. A tomahawk would be a poor substitute IMHO.

I'm getting off topic though.

Good hunting OP and enjoy your hawk. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

The argument for a tomahawk is that it's a jack of all trades in a reasonably lightweight portable package.

COMPARED TO actual breaching gear, it's more versatile and carryable. No it won't smash open a door like a ram but it will pop a lock / chain, deflate a tire, break and rake glass, give you a little extended reach, make a hole in a wall for a firing position, etc, and although it's not light it's still light enough to not be absolutely prohibitive to walk around with all day like a full size halligan bar is.

Obviously individuals will have different regulations dictating what they can carry as well as different opinions as to what's worth carrying. I keep one in my truck and over the years I've used it for things like whacking branches off a log so I can move it out of a road, cutting off a muffler that got bent off-roading and was dragging, making a burn barrel, hot dog sticks, etc. if I ever needed to I could use it to smash a car window in an emergency or pop a padlock....fortunately I've never had to. I carry one hiking for the same kind of reason. I know I can use it to build an emergency shelter, make a crutch or walking stick, etc.
 
I would start with ATC Lagana.
It is trusted design. Although not as practical when it comes to axe-jobs (edge too thick) it will be proper one hand breach and preach tool.
And it is very lightweight.
 
Hardcore Hardware Australia make a few tomahawks designed for the military market. I have spoken with a couple of guys in the Australian Army who use them and have had nothing but good to say. They aren't cheap but the exchange rate is on your side there.
 
I'm actually liking the look of the helm forge tomahawks as well. They seem to fit what I'm looking for and the price is reasonable.
 
erhodes said:
I'm actually liking the look of the helm forge tomahawks as well. They seem to fit what I'm looking for and the price is reasonable.
Click to expand...

You won't be disappointed, James is a great guy to work with and his hawks are top notch. I have a 15 and 18, the 15 gets carried a lot more. It seems to be the perfect length to carry.
 
Welp. Went ahead and ordered a 15" from helm grind. Hope he responds to my email soon!
 
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