My Tomahawks (And a Quick Comparison)

J

JNieporte

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Nov 1, 2004
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Here's my small collection so far. I've thrown in two cheap hand axes just because they were handy.
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A Comparison
I was asked to compare a Vietnam-style tomahawk with the Ontario SP16 SPAX, so I've done so here instead of making a totally new thread. The only Vietnam-style tomahawk I have is made by United Cutlery, so it's the one I'll be using. Note that the Vietnam tomahawk has had the following modifications done: edge reground, lanyard hole drilled and lanyard added; handle cord-wrapped; sheath cut wider to allow the wrapped handle; underside ground. The SPAX is as it comes from the factory.

Side by side...
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The primary cutting edges. The SPAX has a flat ground edge, slightly under 4" long, and it has a slight curve. The Vietnam hawk has a 2-3/4" edge, flat ground. Note that the Vietnam hawk didn't come with the underside sharpened; I did that...
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The SPAX' edge was good, but not great. View from the top...
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The spikes. As you can see, the Vietnam tomahawk is ground on four sides into a cruciform spike; the SPAX is flat ground like a knife blade. The SPAX also terminates in an small "edge" whereas the Vietnam hawk is just a spike....
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The SPAX spike, from the top...
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The Vietnam tomahawk in hand...
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The SPAX in hand...
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The Vietnam tomahawk is void of any markings, whereas the SPAX is as follows. Left side...
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Right side...
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Comparison continued below due to photo upload limitations.
 
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The Vietnam tomahawk is quite thick and doesn't have good grind to it. The SPAX is full tang and 1/4" thick...
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The SPAX has this trinagle-shaped hole, supposedly for opening gas valves or fire hydrants. I've found that it doesn't work...
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The Vietnam tomahawk in its imitation leather sheath. It's secured by a single snap and must be pulled up and out for use...
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The SPAX' sheath is made of leather on the back and Cordura on the front. Two snaps hold the handle while another holds the spike. To remove the SPAX, you need to pull it out spike-first. The SPAX is carried in this orientation, like a knife...
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The back of the Vietnam hawk sheath shows the belt loop...
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The back of the SPAX' sheath, showing the dangler-style belt loop. Note that there's no real way to invert the sheath to carry it as you would the Vietnam tomahawk...
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So, which would I pick? For combat or throwing, the Vietnam tomahawk wins. For all other uses (breaching, egressing, etc.) the SPAX.
 
Whats the long handled hawk that has both green and black paracord on the handle?
 
neeman said:
What is the SPAX like to use?
Click to expand...

It's good for aircraft, but not so good at camp chores. As a weapon, I have no comment. As a thrower, it's not as good as many other tomahawks. I'd use it for aircraft egress (if I have to hack through the skin of a helo, etc.) but that's about all. It's too specialized for my needs.
 
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