Hawk vs. Knife

H

Hawker

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
34
Which would you consider to be the more versatile tool/weapon, knife or tomahawk? Why?
 
If it was a survival situation and what else I had with me . Its tough cause I am new to survival . If we are talking pocket knife and hawk I would say hawk . I can build a better shelter easier with it throw with it chop a small amount of firewood and kindling with it . If it was a knife more meant for a survival situation then the choice might be harder . In the long run it depends more on the person behind the blade than the kind of blade .
 
A parang/bolo is far more versatile as a tool that a tomahawk concerning woodcraft and most utility work in general as the tomahawk is more focused. The main advantage of the tomahawk for wood craft is chopping very thick woods which there is little reason to do and should be avoided in most cases for a variety of reasons. For other utility purposes, the tomahawk can be better as an entry tool and for heavy prying / hacking in general.

-Cliff
 
as a more versatile tool i would choose a good fixed blade knife. if this was an outdoor situation, a good fixed blade knife (like a CS SRK or similar). it can cut the framework for a shelter (maybe taking a little longer than cutting it with a hawk/axe), but it can clean your fish, skin your game and slice your meat better than hawk.

as a weapon, thats a tough one, both are proven in the field. probably a knife as that is what i have more experience handling. hawks are "long distance" weapons generally. knives are CQC, more so than a hawk is. hawks pack more punch when struck. hawks are a more of a chopping weapon, and knives slash and stab. either weapon i would never throw at an opponent in a fight.

ideally, i hope to have both if i am ever in a situation.... :D
ol' Mel Gibson raised some hell in "The Patriot" with a knife and hawk combo. Hollywood is sooo much fun.

dhawk
 
Both is the correct answer.

I would have to take the hawk.

It can cut like a knife, better defensively and can chop wood and dig.

I want to buy an Emerson CQC-T. :eek:

I think it is close to perfect.
 
RGRAY said:
Both is the correct answer.

I want to buy an Emerson CQC-T. :eek:

I think it is close to perfect.
Click to expand...

Me too.
They really got it right with that model.
I think it's ATC's best one since their Wally Hayes collaboration.


Regards,
B.
 
As an alternative to the Emerson, take a look at the K-5 tactical. It is superior to the Emerson (IMO) and a fraction of the cost. If you do not keep it as a combat/entry weapon, there are enough blades on the thing that you could custom hone different ones to different uses. In effect having several tools in one. Kind of like the WSK only bigger. The challenge would be figuring out how to grip it for the different cutting surfaces.
 
I think Bladewolf sums up what we all truly think . One is not superior to the other . If you have only one tool in a survival situation then the outcome would be decided much more by who is holding the handle .
 
garythenuke said:
As an alternative to the Emerson, take a look at the K-5 tactical. It is superior to the Emerson (IMO) and a fraction of the cost...
Click to expand...
K5 $149.99 ("Conflicting scales, 26 and 32 ounces. But I say 32", Eddie Killian).
Eagle Talon $350/295 (1 pound 12 ounces).
Emerson CQC-T $275.00

Check these links out:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361496&highlight=K-5+tactical
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362406
http://www.rmjforge.com/eagle_talon.htm

I do not know which is "better". I do know I like the set up of the K5 better. I also like the Talon.
 
RGRAY said:
...it only weighs 16 ozs. and under 14 inches long. :eek:
Click to expand...
Probably true. I looked on their web page for the weight and did not find it. However, I still like the blade/edges set-up on the K5 & Eagle Talon as noted previously. As in all things bladed or otherwise, it comes down to what you want and like. If you like the Emerson CQC-T, you can get your sheath from K5: http://k5tactical.com/product_info.php?products_id=122

Plus, based on the information you provide...you pay alot more per pound:D
 
:D :D :D K5 = $4.70 per ounce (based on 32 ounce)
:D :DEagle Talon = $10.54 per ounce (based on military price $295 & 28 oz)
:DEmerson CQC-T = $17.19 per ounce (based on 16 oz)

Thank you for the specs. I clearly did not look very hard.
I will get my K5 in 3 or so weeks. I have some customizing to do. I will probably get the Eagle talon next year unless I can convince my wife I "really need it" before then:p...I just can't afford the "weight" of the Emerson:eek:
 
difficult choice....i would prefer a good fixed blade ( obviously full tang) at least 6 inches in length, but you will be pretty well off with a hawk if you go that route....
 
Hawk hands down. A good hawk with a back spike and wide head can do anything a knife can and better. In a combat situation a hawk is much better suited, though if you’re going to fight with one there’s no excuse for not having an off hand weapon, as its impossible to control or correct a miss or over swing with a hawk. As far as taking the knife for close combat, just hold the hawk up under the head and use as a punch, slash. Also, if the head is wide enough you can stab with the top. Further, if your knife breaks, good luck. In any good hawk the head is guaranteed for life, and if the handle breaks, you can fashion a new one with just the head as the primary tool. Anyone wanting to read some good techniques should go to the Cold Steel website and look under their article section, at the tomahawk article. Good stuff.
 
some of the hawks mentioned are better for fighting i think like the emerson. hate to take that to a camp site but i have used the atc rr spike with little problem taking wood for campfires. the problems i have run into with a hawk is the edge holding is substandard compared to what a survival knife will have and you cannot baton with a spike hawk.

i own a rmj eagle talon and this is a solid hawk that has more options to it than just fighting but i would still just grab my busse battle mistress E for many reasons. the bm-e is easier to carry all day, more versatile doing both that of a small knife and big chopper. try cutting a sapling with a hawk and then with a big knife and see the difference. many would say the hawk is much more durable than a knife but not by a great degree imo.

i know little about hawk fighting but i would probably grab the hawk first in that kind of situation. there is/was a great thread in the prac tac forum called bowie vs. hawk worth checking out

ii
 
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