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H&B Forge Tomahawks
- Thread starter Krieger
- Start date
I have several, from the smaller mini hawks to the regular models to the Viking axe. Also have their throwing knife.
The hawks are sturdy and stand up well to throwing. Fit and finish is decent but not elegant. At least in my mind, they have a rustic, authentic look. The steel is good but not as hard as something like a Gransfors axe. Hardness feels more like my Estwings so it will need sharpening more frequently than a Gransfors. On the other hand, I've never had any chipping.
The grind on the edges comes pretty thick. This is advantageous to provide durability for throwing but you'd need to thin it quite a bit for good chopping performance. They also need final sharpening when they arrive.
H&B were really nice folks to deal with and they have a reputation for standing behind their work. For the price range, I think they are good hawks and I'm glad I have them. However, if you are going to be doing a lot of chopping and not much throwing, you may want to spend more and get something with harder steel and a thinner edge already on it. I generally use other hawks/axes to chop.
DancesWithKnives
The hawks are sturdy and stand up well to throwing. Fit and finish is decent but not elegant. At least in my mind, they have a rustic, authentic look. The steel is good but not as hard as something like a Gransfors axe. Hardness feels more like my Estwings so it will need sharpening more frequently than a Gransfors. On the other hand, I've never had any chipping.
The grind on the edges comes pretty thick. This is advantageous to provide durability for throwing but you'd need to thin it quite a bit for good chopping performance. They also need final sharpening when they arrive.
H&B were really nice folks to deal with and they have a reputation for standing behind their work. For the price range, I think they are good hawks and I'm glad I have them. However, if you are going to be doing a lot of chopping and not much throwing, you may want to spend more and get something with harder steel and a thinner edge already on it. I generally use other hawks/axes to chop.
DancesWithKnives
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
I have a shawnee hawk. It basically throws itself. Balance and ergo are perfect and the blade holds up well to repeated impacts of throwing for hours at a time. The head is very simple and extremely well designed for throwing and light chopping/other camp activities. It simply cannot be beat for a 40 dollar hawk. Hickory haft has a super comfy profile. This is the hawk you can pick up with no experience and learn to consistantly throw after a few tries. I know because I did it. And you don't have to cry when it gets beat up because they cost 40 bucks, you may as well get two...
Another company that does hand forged hawks in this price range is Fort Turner. I own one but no HB hawks. If you want to know about them let me know.
I am thinking of purchasing a Fort Turner Tamahawk. What do you think of the build quality and overall use ability?
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2000
- Messages
- 1,926
I have the H&B Shawnee and the Fort Turner Buck tomahawk. The H&B is lighter, has a thinner bit, and an overall better finish. Both are well made hawks.:thumbup: