A few years ago I was in the mountains of western North Carolina, in the wettest conditions I have ever encountered. That trip has made me rethink what kind of kit I should carry for firemaking. I am thinking now of adding a pocket chainsaw and a tomahawk to the kit. Looking for some recommendations on a tomahawk that can be used for firemaking (splitting wood for fuzz sticks, splitting wood to get to dry wood, etc.). I have debated on carrying a small axe, but I have been cutting down on weight, and think that the combo of a chain saw, tomahawk and heavy duty blade. Now don't flame me too hard here, but the "big blade" I usually carry is a Tom Brown Tracker. I also carry the TOPS Tracker Scout which attaches to the sheath of the larger blade. I am not a huge fan of the blade and am still considering having a different grind put on it (I love the grind that PitDog has in one of his posts on his Tracker). Anyway, I digress. Any recommendations for a Tomahawk would be appreciated.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
"Make fire in any conditions" kit
- Thread starter Sheltowee
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2007
- Messages
- 12,294
I'd been thinking about a Hawk myself. I did a little research and these appeared to be pretty decent for the price according to the reviews I read.
http://www.hbforge.com/
http://www.hbforge.com/
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
- Messages
- 924
I had a Cold Steel Rifleman Hawk for few years and I loved it, great chopper and carver. It is a little heavy due to the hammer, if weight is a concern I go with the Norse, or spike hawk.
TB Tracker...:barf:...just kidding
TB Tracker...:barf:...just kidding
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
I had a Cold Steel Rifleman Hawk for few years and I loved it, great chopper and carver. It is a little heavy due to the hammer, if weight is a concern I go with the Norse, or spike hawk.
TB Tracker...:barf:...just kidding
Tomahawks are a fun alternative and some are quite light. I have had a Cold Steel rifleman for years and also a Cold Steel Frontier for a year or two. The Rifleman has noticeable weight and the Frontier is a quite light. I did a chop off between my old Becker Brute and the Frontier hawk, the hawk was more effective.
This is an original\real belt axe that I found while metal detecting. Dated between 1790-1810
How cool is that!
man,that was some guys hawk....
did he loose it while chasing an animal he shot?
did he forget it while skinning a deer
maybe he just dropped it while running from the Indians
very very cool!
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Messages
- 854
Upnorth,
Ever thought of sharpening that sucker up and putting it on a haft?
Just curious.
Frosty
Ever thought of sharpening that sucker up and putting it on a haft?
Just curious.
Frosty
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
Soak it in Evapo-Rust for a day, you'll be amazed what it will look like on the other side.
HB Forge makes the best tomahawk for the money, IMO. Hand forged from tool steel, deferentially tempered, perfectly straight grain teardrop haft... Excellent thrower, carver, wood processor, self defense tool... It's got enough on the Cold Steel models to justify the extra bones, but since it's got all that's necessary in a bush 'hawk anyway, why spend any more? I've been using and abusing mine since '07. It's one of my most tested and treasured tools. It is an allarounder survival tool, and the haft is very easy to replace. (I've spent all week re-hafting axe heads and it can be a real PITA)
Yeah, it will fell trees. It's not super efficient at it... because there's no poll weight behind the head, it's hard to get a hawk head to really dig deep into anything but soft woods. If you're looking for something to crank out wood, nothing will beat a Scandinavian Forest Axe. The weight really is worth packing, and there isn't much to it anyway. That thing will fell, limb, split, bolt, chop... it's the be all, end all in efficiency. The tomahawk is really a compromise and as a do-it-all tool, sacrifices performance for individual tasks. The SFA is the culmination of everything we've learned in axecraft throughout civilization, from the grind of the edge to the steel to the shape of the haft, specifically designed to process the most amount of wood in the shortest amount of time with the least wear and tear on the tool and on your body.
I'd also very highly recommend a good folding or fixed blade pruning saw over a pocket chainsaw. Fiskars Woodzig, Bahco Lapplander, Silky... all professional quality saws that can fit in a pocket.
HB Forge makes the best tomahawk for the money, IMO. Hand forged from tool steel, deferentially tempered, perfectly straight grain teardrop haft... Excellent thrower, carver, wood processor, self defense tool... It's got enough on the Cold Steel models to justify the extra bones, but since it's got all that's necessary in a bush 'hawk anyway, why spend any more? I've been using and abusing mine since '07. It's one of my most tested and treasured tools. It is an allarounder survival tool, and the haft is very easy to replace. (I've spent all week re-hafting axe heads and it can be a real PITA)
Yeah, it will fell trees. It's not super efficient at it... because there's no poll weight behind the head, it's hard to get a hawk head to really dig deep into anything but soft woods. If you're looking for something to crank out wood, nothing will beat a Scandinavian Forest Axe. The weight really is worth packing, and there isn't much to it anyway. That thing will fell, limb, split, bolt, chop... it's the be all, end all in efficiency. The tomahawk is really a compromise and as a do-it-all tool, sacrifices performance for individual tasks. The SFA is the culmination of everything we've learned in axecraft throughout civilization, from the grind of the edge to the steel to the shape of the haft, specifically designed to process the most amount of wood in the shortest amount of time with the least wear and tear on the tool and on your body.
I'd also very highly recommend a good folding or fixed blade pruning saw over a pocket chainsaw. Fiskars Woodzig, Bahco Lapplander, Silky... all professional quality saws that can fit in a pocket.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
I apologize for side tracking the O.P.'s thread but I go all over with my interests, and sometimes they blend together.
The area were the hawk was found is historically documented and several fur traders were killed in the area and posts burnt, killing women and children. The Gros Ventre or ''Big Bellys'' took their wrath out on the local traders for various indiscretions. The North West Company and Canadian independent traders were far less scrupulous than the Hudson Bay Company in regard to trading alcohol for furs. More than once local natives woke up hung over with nothing left but a handful of rings for their trading efforts and a winters trapping.
There were bad actors on both sides but the traders really soured Native relations with the massive use of alcohol because it was so cheap to buy for trade, as opposed to bringing kegs of hawk heads, knives etc. a few thousand miles through the river systems. Once again I apologise for moving this thread in a different direction and will stop now.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
Amazing find. I'd recommend consulting an Archeology prof at a local college. They'll go apey over this stuff, and then slap you with the back of their hand for destroying context 
Chances are they've seen this stuff before, know exactly how old it is, where it came from and who made it.
Chances are they've seen this stuff before, know exactly how old it is, where it came from and who made it.Thanks everyone for the great feedback and photos. PayetteRucker, I have really been vasciallting between going with a Scandinavian Forest Axe and a Hawk and pocket saw. The weight considerations and safety issues are leading me towards the Hawk solution. When I was much younger I got pretty handy with an axe under the tutelage of my grandfather (who made using an axe look so easy). Being very much out of practice now I think that I will make the Hawk and saw the standard part of my backcountry kit. Although, I still plan on getting a SFA to have around the house and keep in the truck.
Great find on the tomahawk, UpNorth. Those other items look really cool as well. I live here in Kentucky and remember as a kid finding the arrowheads in the plowed fields. My dad has a really cool stone tomahawk that my great grandfather found. A great author (who is about as controversial as the Tom Brown Tracker) is Allan Eckert. He wrote a lot about the period of 1750 to 1820 in his book the Fronteirsmen. He is controversial with historians because he created dialogue that never took place as a device to keep the readers engaged, but tried to remain very true to the historical facts. Thought you might enjoy his writing.
Happy New Year everybody, and thanks again for the great feedback. If you are taking part in New Year's festivities be sure to stay safe!
Great find on the tomahawk, UpNorth. Those other items look really cool as well. I live here in Kentucky and remember as a kid finding the arrowheads in the plowed fields. My dad has a really cool stone tomahawk that my great grandfather found. A great author (who is about as controversial as the Tom Brown Tracker) is Allan Eckert. He wrote a lot about the period of 1750 to 1820 in his book the Fronteirsmen. He is controversial with historians because he created dialogue that never took place as a device to keep the readers engaged, but tried to remain very true to the historical facts. Thought you might enjoy his writing.
Happy New Year everybody, and thanks again for the great feedback. If you are taking part in New Year's festivities be sure to stay safe!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2010
- Messages
- 484
I really like my Coal Creek Forge Hawk
works great for all i ask of it
[/IMG]
works great for all i ask of it
just my $0.02
I used a CS riflemen's hawk, and the trail hawk for a while (few months) however, I found a wetterlings LHA, and even the SHA to give me a better performance than the hawks did.
start off with one of the cold steel products and give hawks a whirl, see if there is something you like over another model, but try one as a primary tool for a little bit before picking up a custom one. This is what I did, and ended up not liking hawks, hence why I mention to do it.
Sheer profile is what does it for me.
With that said, this one my grand father made for me before he died was a blast to use.
I used a CS riflemen's hawk, and the trail hawk for a while (few months) however, I found a wetterlings LHA, and even the SHA to give me a better performance than the hawks did.
start off with one of the cold steel products and give hawks a whirl, see if there is something you like over another model, but try one as a primary tool for a little bit before picking up a custom one. This is what I did, and ended up not liking hawks, hence why I mention to do it.
Sheer profile is what does it for me.
With that said, this one my grand father made for me before he died was a blast to use.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
Wouldn't fault ya for getting a decent Frontier style hawk and a folding saw, and then a SFA later. That's exactly what I did. Makes for a nice well rounded arsenal of wood processors.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,205
just my $0.02
I used a CS riflemen's hawk, and the trail hawk for a while (few months) however, I found a wetterlings LHA, and even the SHA to give me a better performance than the hawks did.
start off with one of the cold steel products and give hawks a whirl, see if there is something you like over another model, but try one as a primary tool for a little bit before picking up a custom one. This is what I did, and ended up not liking hawks, hence why I mention to do it.
Sheer profile is what does it for me.
With that said, this one my grand father made for me before he died was a blast to use.
The picture makes a significant point. The typical hawk - and Small Forest Axe for that matter, is a suburb cutter but not optimized to split - especially hardwood.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
I agree completely. I bought the hawks more out of nostalgia than 100% wood processing intent. I found them to be fun to play with..and they do chop wood...just not as well as a good axe. My full sized axe is in the car trunk. What I take for farting around could be anything.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
I used a CS riflemen's hawk, and the trail hawk for a while (few months) however, I found a wetterlings LHA, and even the SHA to give me a better performance than the hawks did.
Sheer profile is what does it for me.
Without a doubt...and the quality of your Wetterlings is night and day better than the C.S. stuff. These hawks are moderate use fun day out stuff, not hard core survival use in my book. Hey Fonly, I have a virtualy virgin J.A.B. Potbelly sitting gathering dust in a box. I could send it to you to play with say until spring if you wish. Would let you test a knife for a while. Up to you. PM me if you want to check it out.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,205
And for fire in any weather, a big wad of WPJ-smeared cotton comes No. 1 on my list. I find tinder the hardest to find in the Wet/Gray. (There is a county in western NC that is the wettest county east of western Washington. Camped there a week once and never saw the sun. Did see Gaylord Perry in a market. He "loaded up" before removing bills from his wallet. [Just kidding about loading up. HE just wanted you to think he did. ^___^ ] )
I have never used a Hawk
What is the weight of a hawk?
I have a Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet, and it weights 1 1/4 lbs, and it is an awesome chopper and cutter
For less money there is the Wetterling Wildlife Axe
And a mess of cotton soaked in Mineral oil and a fire stick
And a folding saw like the Bacho
I need an axe and saw to cut and split enough wood to get dry wood to start a good fire
Once the fire is going it will dry the wet wood, so I will not need to be cutting and splitting the wet wood
So a smaller axe and saw is fine
What is the weight of a hawk?
I have a Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet, and it weights 1 1/4 lbs, and it is an awesome chopper and cutter
For less money there is the Wetterling Wildlife Axe
And a mess of cotton soaked in Mineral oil and a fire stick
And a folding saw like the Bacho
I need an axe and saw to cut and split enough wood to get dry wood to start a good fire
Once the fire is going it will dry the wet wood, so I will not need to be cutting and splitting the wet wood
So a smaller axe and saw is fine
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,038
Yes, every one of my fixed blade knives has its own self contained petroleum jelly coated cotton balls\dryer lint and fat wood stash in something waterproof, along with an ignition system. What I am currently doing is looking for indigenous primary fire starters, fluffy stuff. I recently moved much further south so it's all new for me here. A challenge that I enjoy is trying to start a fire with all natural and local materials. I have to wean myself off of grass for a starter because that is the easy way out for me. My main challenge now is to start a winter fire without grass as the starter. Forget a wet start for now, I'll build up to that later down here. I found old empty wild hornet nests up north to be handy for starting in wet conditions. So far I have not seen one down here. Ironically I'm in grass country trying to start a fire not using grass, as a challenge.