My first hawk - Longhunter

shortwinger

shortwinger

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Apr 7, 2010
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Got my first hawk a few days ago, a Longhunter from 2hawks.

First the specs and a pic or two:

18.5 " overall
477 grams (16.8 oz)
6" head
2-3/4" edge

DSC03574.JPG DSC03570.JPG

I got it out this weekend but I probably did the opposite of what most do, I chopped and split with it but didn't do any throwing yet. Once I got it in hand the whole thing was a bit smaller than I imagined, especially the head. But it is very well balanced, the haft is just the right size and this hawk gives you that comfort and confidence that tells you this will be a good tool.

I chopped some very tough hardwood I have stacked for an upcoming camping trip and the factory edge went right through it. Even though this is lighter than I am used to (I usually carry a 24-25oz kukri) the leverage you get with the 18" handle really makes up for the light weight. To be honest it went through this hardwood as well as my GFB Sm Forest Axe. After chopping I thought I would try it out splitting a few of the pieces and I was pleasantly surprised how well it did. I really had no expectations on the splitting part since I haven't seen anyone else do it so I am very happy how well it did. Especially on this really tight tough hardwood. The edge was no different after use than when I unboxed it which from a choppers perspective is great to see.

I hope to get it out to do some throwing soon but from what I understand this model is really good. I am also interested to see how the hammer poll stands up to some pounding. I usually use tools like this at work where have thousands of wooded acres with roads to maintain and trails to clear as well as typical farm duty so it will get a proper workout.

I will start out in the next few weeks by finding some hickory so I can practice making replacement hafts and I would also like to work up a different sheath so I can secure it to the Polaris or dirtbike. I see lots of pics on how to make the hawks pretty, does anyone have any pics of good "working" multi attachment sheaths? Leather preferred.
 
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Nice hawk. For sheath, I like a simple edge cover and a double loop type hanger. A short bit of para cord or leather lace through the end of the haft works well for tying it so it won't flop around. There is also what I call the "cell phone holster" style, a horizontal type full head sheath that the top opens up and the haft slides through a hole in the bottom. Common on many production hatchets.


-Xander
 
Thanks for the response Zander. Doesn't seem to be much interest in this model, lots of views but no comments. Too bad because everyone that touches this hawk lights up and gives that long slow glassy eyed wooooooooooooooooow! And this little thing feels great in hand and absolutely chews wood!

The full head sheath was what I was going to make but I thought it would be been nice to see some pics of sheaths people use in the field and maybe see some great new idea I had not thought of. I have a place that it fits great on my pack and the belt loop that comes with it works very well also, better than I would have thought. Thanks again for the post.
 
Nice hawk! I think that is the same model Dave Canterbury sells from his Site as well.

I have a new one on the way from Steve Liley of coal creek forge.

I can't remember the thread, but someone on here posted some pic's of a baldric style sheath that was. Like a pouch the handle dropped down through.

I think the one who posted it was John Cohea, who makes some fantastic hawks as well.

Watch yourself though......these things are addictive, not to mention a lot of fun.
 
I actually love that hawk, Winger. I have been eying one for a while and sold my other hawk and hatchet in prep for buying one of those longhunters. Held one in my hand and it sold me on the spot. Dont have it yet, but I am for sure Buying one.
 
Thanks guys. This hawk really grows on you. It is a much different feel in hand from my kukri but i have been carrying the Longhunter since I got it and have been using it on everything from light vegetation to hardwood. I intentionally have not touched the edge yet and I still see no difference in sharpness.

I have only thrown it a few times [just to see] and it throws nice. I used the 4-5 step dropback recommended by those that throw and at 5 steps it over rotated a little, so I took a step up and it sticks every time. I still haven't done any pounding with the hammer poll but that will change today because I have a bunch of tents to set up and a few other pounding jobs.

I think for those of you that are getting this model you will be pleased.
 
Here's a pic of th edge cover I make, works well with most all carry solutions. Easy to make, too.


2012-02-06162141.jpg



-Xander
 
So I have had the Longhunter in my work truck and Polaris since it came in the mail and this week I took it camping. This was a family trip with the camper so a very tame camp to say the least. But there are still all the same jobs (minus shelter building) that there are in more basic camps and the Longhunter is proving to be a beast.

Number one, I never imagined it would deal with wood processing so well. Don't get me wrong any good knife can cut wood, but when you get into sustained work most get old fast. The tale-of-the-tape for me is, if it wasn't designed to do it you will suffer when it comes to real work. [I define real work as more than a table top review or one quick back yard chopping test.]

Another pleasant surprise was how well it does other tasts such as cutting, slicing, hammering and other chores. Its lightness allows you to choke up to do some really nice fine work while the long handle gives you some real power when chopping.

I have thrown it a few times and while this isn't my thing, it throws well and is very consistant. A 4 to 5 step drop and you sink it just about every time. Not very difficult to figure out how to under or over rotate it to adjust for distance.

I have still not touched the edge and I see no change from when it arrived. It had a nice working edge when it came, not a very fine arm shaving edge that we all know will fail after you leave your living room. I am very happy with the steel and overall I can say without hesitation that this is not a toy or tourist trinket. Here are a few pics of last night's fire.

Longhunter 1.jpg Longhunter 2.jpg Longhunter 3.jpg
 
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2hawks makes some nice hawks..Finished nicely and good steel..6150 if im not mistaken..
 
Well the camping trip is coming to an end today. As expected on the last night, large fruit broke through the perimeter and it wasn't pretty. We got into a hand to hand battle with one of the melons but the BSI kukri literally sliced it to pieces! We feasted on the spoils!

Here are some final pics of the team of blades that made the trip:

Longhunter Tomahawk
Nepalese BSI kukri
Nepalese Tracker (modified)
Nepalese Churi (modified)

Longhunter 7.jpg Longhunter 11.jpg
Longhunter 9.jpg Longhunter 10.jpg
 
Chris,

I like that kind, which is just about the same as what came with mine but I was just thi king about how easy it would be to loose something that isn't attached. But I have to say so far it is working out fine.

I will be starting g a new round of sheaths soon so as I will probably try a few designs. Thanks for the pic.
 
i like devin price hawks. i havent had to sharpen mine either. i thought the same thing about the "small/lightweight" when i got it but, was also surprized how well they perform.
with the weight being lighter, i noticed i can throw the "competition" hawk with 2 full spins and stick about as easy as just 1 spin on a heavier (CS) hawk. CS hawk seems like, if i do a 2 spin throw, i have to kind of aim right above the target to hit center. price hawks, just aim for center and hit it, at 2 full spins. ... i like em all though for dif. reasons/uses
 
Hi Poop, (I tried that both ways and Poop sounded better than Mr Fungus)

What type of CS hawk are you comparing it to? I have messed with a few CS hawks and like them but don't own one yet. Their handles are a bit thicker than the Longhunter so they feel different but still good. I'm getting ready to make a sheath for a friend that has a Trail hawk and as I handle it more and more I really like the feel.

For me it was a toss-up between the Voyager and the Longhunter models but I opted for the one with the lighter weight first. When I got it out of the box and felt how light it was I immediately thought, oh no that was a mistake but it has more than held its own. I may still get the Voyager or ask Santa to bring me one (yes I am 49 and still believe) but I will be testing a few others first.
 
The hawk is very nice, they make some really nice products. I like you am not a thrower, but I buy mine to use when out in the field and so far they fit the bill.
 
howdy again, short. i've compared it to all the CS hawks (i have em all).. the trail hawk would be the closest/most similar when throwing, as its their lighter hawk. in the above post, i was more talking about the difference in throwing a price hawk compared to the CS pipe hawk (or the rifleman).. both much heavier... the handle differences, i dont notice so much/dont bother me (as i throw alot of dif. diamter handled hawks, but all close enough to each other).. same thing with dif. length handles (dont notice much of a dif. from an 18 inch to a 22 incher). sounds like we've had similar experiences with our first price hawks, about the light weight/size thing-and then realizing we liked them.
 
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