I find myself in need of a tomahawk/throwing axe

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
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On our next camping trip my brother-in-law has challenged us to a tomahawk throwing contest. He bought a Condor and says he's going to whoop us all. I can't let that happen so I need something I can start practicing with. I don't care dor the Condor's feel so I'm looking for something else. So far I've been looking at the Cold Steel Trench Hawk. Now I have 0 knowledge of what makes a decent tomahawk, so here I am. I'm looking to keep this under $100 so let me know if you have any suggestions. I have kind of always wanted an old school blacksmith forged hawk but I don't think that's possible in my budget. Any assistance appreciated.
 
It's very possible with that budget. Read this thread, and contact Kentucky. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-I-ask-you-Hawk-guys-a-question-Input-please

I see very nice hawks made by KY for less than $100 pop up here all the time. IMO, for that money you will get a great tool, that will chop well, hold and edge, and make a pretty good thrower.
IF, OTOH, you just want a thrower, you can get a CS or look around the web for an inexpensive purpose built throwing hawk. You can get several of those for $100, I think.

Whatever you get, get a straight handle/haft. Any curves, or finger grooves, etc. will affect your throwing release, your won't let go as smoothly. In competition axe throwing they use a double bit, it can land upside down, and still stick. Spike hawks are pretty cool, but don't spike yourself in the back!
Remember, a hawk haft is supposed to be loose(wood handles) for several reasons. First, during a throw, the impact energy isn't as hard on the handle, it's free to move so it won't break as easy. Second, you can re-hang it in the field, making a new handle by using the head. Third, the head comes off for travel, or using it as a wedge, or in hand as a knife.
Good luck and have fun!
 
hard to beat the CS norse or frontier hawks for throwing. norse would probably be a bit more forgiving to the novice thrower, what with the longer bit and all. can be had for less than 30 bucks all day long. be sure to pick up a couple of spare handles if you get more than one. you'll be surprised how quickly you can throw a tight group (and cut/nick/chip/break handles).



-ben
 
Thanks for all the input guys. Right now I'm looking at the Shawnee model from HB Forge. I will check out Kentucky's work as well. Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!
 
Also note the shape of the norse hawk. As bjp mentioned it is more forgiving to the novice thrower and that is also due to the fact you don't need to stick it perfect with the upper tip extended like it is it will stick even if the handle is not perpendicular to the target

My favorite axe like object to throw though is the Gil Hibben Generation II pro throwing axe, a bit on the small side but truly exceptional performance as a thrower.

If you go with the trench hawk though keep in mind the handle on that will also break but is replacable
 
I've got the norse and the trail hawk - the norse is a lot easier to throw (accurately). You can't go wrong at that price! If you're going to be throwing a cold steel hawk around, be sure to either finish the haft well where it meets the head, or don't ditch that set screw. The head came lose as hell on my trail hawk.
 
The frontier is the best thrower of the CS hawks IMO. Kentucky makes great hawks for a very good price.

Regards

Robin
 
I like all the CS hawks for throwing. I lean towards the Norse and Frontier for purely throwing hawks. Kentucky indeed makes great hawks for very good prices.

Howard
 
Right now I am leaning towards one of the HB Forge hawks. Specifically looking at the medium and large camp axes as well as the "Medieval Spiked" axe. All of these look like they would be good for throwing and still serve some use around the camp. But I will defer to the expertise here if you tell me they are not what I'm looking for. I have never been fond of CS products or marketing and this would be a nice alternative.
 
Hm. Well I actually just snagged a NIB 2 Hawks Longhunter in the trader here. It is pretty much wxactly what I have always wanted as far as the styling, I have looked at them more than once in the last couple years and according to interweb reviews they are decent for throwing. If I like this hawk as much as I think I will I may still pick up an HB or something similar to use for a beater. I was also looking at the Crazy Crow American Blacksmith series French Personal axe. Anyone know anything about that one?
 
looks like you made a good choice.......now that I've spent a few mins. on the two-hawks website looking at your choice.........well, damn, I might have to get one. I've been wanting a "good" hawk to use when going to my buddy's house for our alternating-home-contests.


enjoy!


-ben
 
Like the look of the 2 Hawks Longhunter but here in the UK I throw a CS trail hawk as it's reasonably cheap and easy to pimp. Strip the paint off the head remove the screw and it's just great. We also throw a SOG battle axe but we removed the scales and replaced with a para cord wrap. Both throw well even for my 7 year old.
 
Get one from Kentucky. If you want a best custom at best price, That's gonna come ready to roll. Everything else may require some modification before getting bizzy. If not, your best bet is to go with Cold Steel. For a thrower, you cant go wrong with the Frontier, Norse, Spike, Pipe, or Trail. These are gonna be your best chance for throwers unless you want to spend more. The Hawks like the SOG's, United, Cold Steel Trench Hawks, VTAC and other Combat Axe/Hawks will throw, just not as easy because they were made for a different primary roll.
 
I am still looking for another hawk to use as a beater and I like that CS upgraded version but I would like to stay away from CS if possible. Still looking at Kentucky's hawks but they seem to go FAST whenever they get posted! Another couple I was looking at are from the American Blacksmith Series at Crazy Crow Trading Post. I like the Personal French and also the Kentuckian. These are smaller at 16" OAL. Made of 5160. I could see one of these becoming a handy addition to the 2Hawks for hiking/camping. I don't want to link to them so here is the site pic:

Kentuckian is L, French is M. The one on the right is the Missouri but is out of stock. I prefer the French.
4934-253-500x300.jpg


What do you guys think of these? Anyone have any experience with them?
 
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I have a Fort Turner Camp Tomahawk in the mail right now. Should have it this coming week.
Dana has been a great guy to talk with, and even though I have yet to handle one of his hawks, I have heard nothing but good about them. They are also very reasonably priced for a hand made hawk.

If you want to find his site, just search "Fort Turner".
 
I have a CS Rifleman hawk. Great heft for throwing. If you have the strength, I prefer throwing heavier heads. I find, that even with the same length handle, the heavier head slows the spin down, and makes the axe more predictable.

I have been throwing the rilfeman hawk for about a decade.

I also have a norse hawk, and a spike hawk (not the trench hawk) from CS. The spike hawk ships with a longer handle, and, it seems to me, tends to "bounce" from the target more than the rifleman. The only throwing I have done with the spike hawk was at a frozen tree stump, in about 3 feet of snow, up in the cascade mountains. This winter.

The top of the spike hawk (top above the edge) is thicker on the spike hawk than the rifleman. This combined with the fact that the target was frozen seemed to cause more "bounce outs" where the hawk would bounce off the target even though it was an edge on hit.

The rifleman stuck much more often. Of course, I have thrown it for 11 or so years, and the spike hawk I just got.
 
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