Hawk for belt

[Mountainwind]

I really like to see what I am buying, but since I can't, will ask some of you who may know.
I am wanting another belt hawk, but want one made here in the US and these two are the ones I have to decide on.
I need a small to med handle (Diameter.)for belt carry so it's not to uncomfortable, and not sure of the handle sizes on these. The one from Ft Turner, looks rather large, but it a pic. so I'm not sure.


It's the trapper hawk at Ft Turner
http://www.fortturner.com/store/index.htm
And the small camp ax at H&B
http://www.hbforge.com/products/tomahawks.php

 

[NorthStarXO]

Try Bear Mountain Tomahawks and check under belt axes - the Rainier Scout would work nicely. They're hand-forged all in the US with US steel, handmade leather blade covers and short, straight-grain hickory handle. Call me if you have any questions that we can answer for you.

 

[Brody R.]

I have a H&B hawk, I too had to decide between H&B and FT and went with H&B because I liked the look of it better and it works well. Later I bought a similar Bear Mountain hawk which I like better and seems tougher but their a bit more expensive (worth it in my opinion though if you plan on using it alot). I hear FT makes good hawks but don't know from first hand experience, i'd imagine either hawk would serve you well so go with whatever looks/sounds best to you.

 

[littleknife]

I have the largest regular hawks from Fort Turner (the Buck hawk) and H&B Forge (the Shawnee).
From those two the H&B has a much heavier head and a larger diameter handle.
Also, the Fort Turner has a thinner bit which IMHO makes it more suitable for hardwood chopping.

I never handled the Trapper hawk and on the Small camp axe, but I would think they are similar in weight.
You might e-mail Dana Turner about the exact specs (weight) of the Trapper hawk. He is a very nice guy, who also frequently goes to reenactments, so if he does not answer right away your e-mail, he might be simply away for a few days.
The Fort Turners seem to have smaller eyes to begin with, so even though the FT Trapper hawk's handle looks thick on the photo, it might be the same or very similar thickness as the H&B Small campe axe.

I think you should choose mainly on the basis which head style is more of your liking.

After forging the Fort Turners are deliberately left with a rougher surface for a more rustic look, while the H&B are filed and smoothened more for a more uniform final look and smoother surface.

One additional thing to consider is the sheath.
The Fort Turner sheats are superior IMHO to the H&BH ones.
I've seen many H&B sheaths in mountain men shops and I own one, but none was made of so nicely tanned/prepared leather and with the precision as the Fort Turner one.

Also, personally I like better the handle treatment of the Fort Turners, which are first flamed and after that coated with some finish (polyurethane? I don't know, but feels like it).
My H&B Shawnee handle, with the hawk head already on, was soaked in (linseed?) oil. After several months it still smells, plus the surface is much rougher due to the treatment. However, you might actually prefer this handle treatment over the smoother Fort Turner's one.

Whatever your choice, you probably won't go wrong with any of these two hawks.