Hawk/Hatchet vs kukri

S

s12.aaxtell

Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
234
Hey guys,

I am going to be spending the summer at a summer camp as a counselor. It is a summer camp directed toward increasing outdoors skills. we will be hiking and camping almost the whole summer. I have a pocket knife and a fixed blade (4 inches). I am looking at something for bigger use around the camp site and on the trail, primarily for fire making and whatever else. I like the cold steel trail hawk (wood prep and the hammer end seems useful) and I am looking at a kukri. Which do you think would be more useful?

-Alex
 
They are both very useful tools.

Tomahawk: You have a chopping tool good for wood work, and either a hammer poll to assist with pounding stakes, or building some projects, or a spike to aid in digging chores. For weight, the hawk will be lighter than all but the lightest kukri.

Kukri: You have a tool that is a great chopper, can handle more machete-like tasks and is easier to split wood via either a swinging hit or batoning. You can cut a baton or digging stick to make up for its deficiencies, whereas you need to carry another long blade to make up for the lack of use in machete like tasks for the hawk. Most kukri (real ones, like the Himalayan Imports ones, not the kukri-like machetes) will weigh more than the same length hawk.
 
Take a look at your budget for this and go from there. Cpl. gave you some good advice on the strength and weakness of each. Also factor in your camp area. If it is more tropical and swamp like, I would opt for the Kukri. If it is more hardwoods, then I would want more of a hatchet or tomahawk. I have a trail hawk and like it very much. Some good hatchets might be a little better at processing firewood. Take a good look at the Eastwing hatchets. Steel handled and very durable in case someone else trys to use it and doesn't know what they are doing. It they break a haft you will need to make or obtain a new one. The Eastwing will not break and they are not too expensive either. Good luck and let us know what you choose.
 
Factor in your boss or management if you know anything about their attitudes towards big knives
 
ISP 5353 said:
Also factor in your camp area. If it is more tropical and swamp like, I would opt for the Kukri. If it is more hardwoods, then I would want more of a hatchet or tomahawk.
Click to expand...
I must politely disagree with this. As the Khukuri (especially H.I. khukuri) excel at chopping hardwoods and make great multi-purpose camp knives. You can prepare your camp/shelter with it, process your firewood and also process your food/game with your khukuri, it would be an easy choice over a hatchet/axe/hawk for bushcrafting. Here is a thread by Wildmanh comparing hawk and khukuri:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=746277&highlight=khukuri

Not so surprisingly they also make a great defense against the lions,tigers,bear and such:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/assets/images/Animals.htm
 
Last edited:
You're gonna want a kukri sooner or later (SOONER!), so why not buy both? The hawk won't set you back too much, and you can get some practice with both, to determine your own preference and comfort level. BTW, Karda is right, in that the kuk is truly versatile tool! When looking at 'hawks, try out the CS Pipehawk, I prefer it to the trailhawk (I own both) because it provides the extra heft and hitting power without adding too much more weight. Either way, make sure you're proficient with whatever you take, you don't want to have to learn to use your first aid kit instead of your tool! Good luck!

-Matt-
 
Thank you very much for the quick responses. I will definitly look at the comparison thread. and for further information I will be in Vermont, so nothing too tropical.

-Alex
 
I'll agree with Karda's post, and add further that the only real advantage the hawk has over a kukri as a tool is if it has the spike or hammer poll for those given tasks. Both of those functions can be worked around with the kukri.

The Trail hawk will be lighter than most other than a Sirupate, kobra or Tamang type kukri (see the links in my signature and visit the HI forum here on BF for more info), but if you go with the Pipe hawk as suggested, you're right up there with a mid sized kukri.
 
wyattT said:
Factor in your boss or management if you know anything about their attitudes towards big knives
Click to expand...

Agree. And also not sure why you would need/prefer to use a blade in camp, or teach someone reliance on a blade in camping, for that matter.

Just my $.02.
 
Yeah I read his situation, question is why anything bigger than the 4" blade?

Are we talking about for fun, necessity, convenience, self defense, re-visiting 19th century and older styles of outdoor craft?
 
I might be able to clear some things up. yes the 4inch blade will handle almost any task I have around the campsite with opening packages, cutting rope, etc. We have no electricity at the camp and sleep in adirondack shelters. We also have several backpacking trips over the summer. We cook all of our meals on campfires and making kindling and splitting wood is a regular occurrence. I do not want to pack an axe with me. From the advice I am receiving I am leaning toward the kukri.

-Alex
 
GUN SNOB said:
??????
Click to expand...

IMO a blade isn't a necessity for camping. Is it for fires? Are fires a necessity? I cook with a little stove. I like fires for pleasure at night, and for that my 4" mora is largely a convenience item for making fires, for shavings and kindling .... maybe opening food packages too. Without my little knife fire building would be a PITA but it would get done, with some delay. If it's wet or otherwise weather is bad, I probably would be in tent.... again fire a non-issue. When I camp over 3000 ft elevation in Wa state, fires arent a good idea anyhow. If we're talking about hypothetical survival/emergency situations I wouldnt want my warmth/life to be contingent on a fire... there are other ways to keep warm. In my defense I'm just a product of my learning.
 
Alex, Be advised that I moved a bit after starting the comparison thread so didn't get to finish. Dang, I'm actually suprised that anyone even remember it. Thanks Karda!

The length of a Khukri is measured from Tip to butt, so a 20" Khukri really is 20" long over all. My 20" Sirupati gets used a ton, not just as a machete and wood working blade, but in my camp kitchen. Bring a cantalope, honeydue or other mellon to camp and try cutting one with a 4" blade or hawk. It isn't pretty. But my 20" Sirupati will do this all day long with ease, then it will also help you clear the trail and chop firewood. It also makes a good draw knife.

Take a Hawk like the trail hawk, it has a small cutting surface but most of the force is there so it cuts deep. Depending on your needs, that might be perfect for you. The hammer pole on the back is great for pounding tent pegs, nails or busting open nuts. The blade works as a round knife/Ulu which are great for scraping hides, cutting jerked meat and plenty of other tasks.

Either tool by it's self will do a lot in skilled hands so be sure to practice with which ever you choose. But be aware that if you combine the two, you are much better off. Add a saw to the mix and you can pretty much build anything. For example you want to harvest logs for a cabin or fence or furnature. If you use all 3 tools, you'll have an easier time. The Khukri can clear brush away from the tree, all 3 will bring the tree down. Khukri can debark the tree the fastest. Saw will cut the log to size quickest, Hawk will pound pegs or nails better.

Processing an animal is another example of where the Hawk and Khukri would compliment each other. Of course what works for some might not work for others do to training, back ground and personal preference. I like to pair mine up.
 
Good point Karda. My only experience has been with the CS Kukri, which I found a little light for processing very much hardwood. It was great as a machete. I need to get a real Kukri and try it. I did love the blade shape though.
 
No problemo ISP5353!
Many people buy the Cold Steel, Kabar etc...khukuri like objects and think that they compare to a real well made and traditionally made khukuri. This could be due to the fact that long ago and far away it was hard to get a well made traditional khukuri.
That fact and the desire to help the untouchable Kamis, their families and give back to Nepal was and still is the reason that Himalayan Imports is in business and has fought hard against many obstacles to bring the finest khukuri available to the world market.
 
Thanks wildmanh, great breakdown. Unfortunately it seems I have two new toys to buy instead of one haha.

-Alex
 
The upside is, the CS Trail Hawk is cheap.

Want to know what I've found to be an outstanding combo? A kukri and an older (pre-Vietnam) entrenching tool. One with the straight wood handle and folding head with a pick on the back. They can pick rocky ground. Be locked in at 90 degrees to trench to redirect rain runoff, chop roots, dig catholes, and they work just fine pounding in tent pegs. I.e. everything the kukri either falls short in, or that you don't want to do (like dull the edge chopping roots). You can often find the German surplus shovels like what I'm describing for about the cost of a Trail Hawk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top