Hawk vs Spike for Camping/Bushcraft Tomahawk

That really was a great post, very well thought out with good points throughout.

I have and love both spike and poll hawks but the spike is my favorite, for reasons written above and for some that I can't put into words.
To each their own though and I'm glad there's debate over it, just means that people will keep making new models for me to drool over, buy, and use.
 
I think part of the safety issue is in making the axe safe in camp means burying the bit in wood, either a log , a piece of firewood or a standing dead tree. Same is not possible with either a spike or a double bit. Carrying unsheathed could also complicate safety. I do see uses for the spike though and look forward to trying one.
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It's no more unsafe than carrying an ice axe.
 
That "bury the bit in the wood" thing is largely Hollywood to me. Why leave it out at all? Ok, the edge is somewhat protected from rain - if it's dry wood, not a fresh stump. Otherwise, it's just sitting in wet wood. Wet = Rust.

Doesn't do the handle any good, either. I give points to the older ones, tho, they were fashioned from a small sapling of the right contour, and largely had concentric growth the entire length. New age factory handles are cut with the grain exposed and it soaks up rain, causing it to rot, plus being weaker. My generation was taught by our elders to inspect the grain patterns to see that they didn't run off near the axe head - or that would be exactly where it would break off. They knew the cheap store axes had poor handles compared to the ones their fathers had.

In todays camping, out of sight is out of mind, I wouldn't leave an axe out anymore than an Iphone. It's a different generation now and thieves abound.
 
My comments referred to when work is ongoing in camp. I generally do not store any equipment outdoors. After doing a pile of splitting and while picking up and stacking wood, it is safer to "set" the blade into a block than lay it on the ground to trip over.

On the whole, I do see use in the spike as I have said and intend to try one out when opportunity permits.

Bill


Oh by the way... I have visited California but never the Hollywood area.
 
I agree with everything said about uses of a spike in camp and on the trail. If you need to pound in tent stakes, the flat of the hawk works, but even better, a baton. I sliced into my tent once using an unsheathed hammer poll for pounding in stakes :eek: I always use a baton, now.

I like spiking the 'hawk into a stump or log and then using the blade as a stationary tool for fine splitting with a baton, working roots or reeds for weaving/cord making, or as a scraper.
 
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