Need input on CS Vietnam Hawk

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
I was eyeballin' the CS special projects X-mas sale flier, and the CS vietnam hawk caught my eye. Does anybody have any firsthand experience with this? Is this a thrower? any use as a tool? or is it just a personal defense/fun toy? I appreciate all your input.
 
I bought one several years ago. They are merely an OK chopper owing to the edge geometry and shaft length. The steel seems moderately good, but nothing like a Gransfors hatchet. They come with a pretty decent leather sheath.

I have not tried throwing mine. However, you need to bear in mind that shafts occasionally break when throwing and this hawk is somewhat harder to re-shaft than most. Because of the thin head, the head is fitted to the shaft like an axe and it uses wedges to hold the head on. You can't just slip the head onto a new shaft and tap it into place like on a H & B Forge hawk.

If the price is right, they aren't too bad a toy!
 
Hey, much thanks DWK, I appreciat the input. The price they list is 25$ which includes a leather sheath. I just saw CS's "proof" video today, and it shows them throwing it and beating the crap out of a steel ammo box. Looks like fun! Is $25 too much? Is there better for similar dollars? Chime in everybody.... I feel like buyin' a hawk!
 
I think I paid around $20-25 years ago at CS's booth at a big gun show. That's pretty fair. However, if you want something more traditional, the H & B Forge Shawnee is a FORGED hawk that costs only a little more. www.hbforge.com It will WAY outchop the CS Vietnam hawk. If you want to learn to throw traditional hawks, it will be far better training than the CS.

Another issue is handle length. I believe that Two Hawks has written something in previous threads on how to custom "tune" a thrower's shaft to your particular style. He mentioned that if the shaft length is not correct, hawks can be a bear to throw well. I haven't thrown my Vietnam so I can't say for sure, but the shaft seems fairly short.
 
Thanks DWK, I checked out the HB site and like their looks better. I also had a distasteful experience with Cold Steel today. I tried to place an order with my credit card, but they would not ship to a different address from the billing address. I explained that I had ordered from them before with the same card and sent to the same shipping address, but the Bit**y operator I talked too made me change my mind about ordering anything from them. I have emailed HB Forge with questions on their hawks, and am looking forward to eventually getting a hawk or small camp axe. I'll post my personal review when I get it.
 
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I've usually had good luck with the CS staff. However, they are larger now and the occasional bi-yatch probably slips through (or maybe it was an otherwise decent employee simply having a bad day, as we all sometimes do). I wouldn't completely give up on them based on one incident.

H & B is a small, family-run outfit and very pleasant. I expect you'll get great service (as I always have).
 
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