Hawk vs Camp axe in real world use

I don't know...I think we have them up my way, too. There was a squirrel that got pancaked in the road one summer, and a few days in the sun dried it out into a squirrel potato chip. Along came another squirrel, picked up the "chip" and started munching away!!! :eek: Freaked me the hell out!:D

Stomper: Any thoughts on making a chopper similar to those cleaver mods that have been floating around lately? I'd love to see your take on one! :cool:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I don't know...I think we have them up my way, too. There was a squirrel that got pancaked in the road one summer, and a few days in the sun dried it out into a squirrel potato chip. Along came another squirrel, picked up the "chip" and started munching away!!! :eek: Freaked me the hell out!:D

Stomper: Any thoughts on making a chopper similar to those cleaver mods that have been floating around lately? I'd love to see your take on one! :cool:
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I actually will be making one for an order in late June. :D
 
Check out the Medium French Hawk from Great Rive Forge. I have one I got about 14 months ago and it's awesome!

As for real world use, I took it camping a few weeks ago and used it almost exclusively to split wood for kindling and such. It did a very good job of that and I also used it to pound tent stakes in. Me likey. :)

Heber
 
You can't go wrong with a GB light forest ax. It'll fit either in your backpack or strap along side of it; and, although it'll will do anything you need it to do, it's especialy good at limbing a downed tree for firewood. And it'll last you a lifetime - or at least until your son bridges out of Venturing.
 
Maybe off the mark here, but having gone through the same issue, I recently decided that if you take the coolness factor of a hawk and wed it to the strength of an axe, you get a Khukuri. Check out forum sponsor Himalayan Imports.
 
I don't have any experience with hawks but I can't see it NOT working for you. A little chopping every now and again on small stuff, seems like just about anything will do. I have a GB mini and love it. IMO it's a lot more useful than a chopper knife. I carved a figure 4 with it and other detail work and it was a joy to use. I have always found chopper knives to be really awkward for that kind of stuff.
 
Stomper said:
Generally I use something like one of these, a Wetterlings, old U.S.A. made Collins I picked up at a junk shop for $6 and am restoring, or the little one I made.

2vxolqx.jpg
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That Collins is pretty freakin sweet! Wanna sell it?? :D

It reminds me of the Young Campers Axe that S&N sells.

IMG_2874.jpg


As far as the original thread is concerned......hawks are cool and all, but remember this. Chopping is only one thing an axe is used for. I want an axe to be general purpose, as in, do as many things as possible.

The head geometry of a hawk is horrible for splitting.

Balance on a hawk is usually an issue too. If you grab any axe/hawk, and it does this........you are in trouble!

IMG_0025.jpg


Bottom line, hawks looks cool. An axe is the real tool.

B
 
I recently decided that if you take the coolness factor of a hawk and wed it to the strength of an axe, you get a Khukuri.
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Would love to,but can't. My state won't allow it.:mad:


I actually will be making one for an order in late June.
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Hmmm....Using My thread to drum up buisness John? I expect a discount on my EDC you are making for me.:D

(Or maybe a freebie small hatchet??????:D:D:D) Hey it doesn't hurt to ask.:)
 
Todd A said:
Would love to,but can't. My state won't allow it.:mad:




Hmmm....Using My thread to drum up buisness John? I expect a discount on my EDC you are making for me.:D

(Or maybe a freebie small hatchet??????:D:D:D) Hey it doesn't hurt to ask.:)
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Already had the order 2 weeks ago :D
 
Hawks are toys or weapons.
Last week i had to cut a dry log with a trailhawk and it was painful to do.
I got a couple of blisters :grumpy:
 
Face it, if you hang around here you are going to end up with more than one hawk/axe. Like many members, I'll bet I have ten or more of each. Even though my various axes may be more efficient for the work you describe, I've done it plenty of times with a hawk just because I felt like using a hawk. I enjoy using both and mix it up a bit. So buy whatever lights your fire and figure you'll be getting something else in a few months or a year.

DancesWithKnives
 
Todd A said:
I recently decided that if you take the coolness factor of a hawk and wed it to the strength of an axe, you get a Khukuri.
Click to expand...
Would love to,but can't. My state won't allow it.:mad:
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You can't own a khukuri in CT??
Damn things have changed since I left. . .that's what I was going to suggest you look at.

Next question is, how does what you want it to do compare with what you're really going to do? In other words, how much do you plan to actually use it?

If you're going to carry it a lot and look cool, can't go wrong with the hawk.

If you're going to use it a lot, the hatchet will probably be the better worker.

But then, there's a lot of hawk guys that say it's more about how you use the hawk that will determine how good a tool it is (If you've been at the axe subforum you've no doubt read those same posts).
 
A hawk is not an ax but I sure like mine. Just a simple trail hawk from CS. I have noticed some have trouble using one, but it is in many ways like a framing hammer. A khukuri is great to, but it grabs unwanted attention at times. Hawks are as American as apple pie and muzzle loaders.:)
 
I used a lathing hatchet for years for small camp chores, till someone "disappeared" it on me. It has a narrow blade like a hawk, but with a shorter handle. For real work though, I'd take an axe or hatchet.
 
I really like 'hawks (own three), but a large knife of comparable weight is so much more useful. The tomahawks are fun, but I find that I'm either served better by a 9" blade or an actual axe.
 
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