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New to the world of Axes...looking at tomahawks

Z

zeontestpilot

Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
25
So here's my story, this past December I started rented a house with a wood-burning stove. Since the stove runs on wood (i know, i was shocked too!), I borrowed my landlord's axe to split the wood. With difficulties splitting it, I did some research and discovered a maul is better made for wood splitting. So I bought one. Despite it being 8 lbs, I love splitting wood with it, it's quite fun. And since my wife collects knives and such, I thought it would be awesome to get into axes. It's a manly tool, and I would be proud to bear/own it.

Anyways, I was looking into getting a tomahawk. Mainly for the reason of throwing it. I've seen videos online, it looks like a lot of fun. I've done some research into some tomahawks but realized I know nothing about the brands. Neither does my wife, since her specialty is knives. Essentially I'm looking for a good/decent brand, that can be bought for under $50. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm eager to get into the world of axes/mauls/tomahawks/hatchets, I'm just not really sure were to start.

Thanks in advance,
Josh
 
Slightly more than you would like to spend but I think you should look into H & B Forge for a hawk. Great customer service reasonable prices quality work.
 
To stay under $50 I feel the line of Cold Steel tomahawks are your best. Usually between $25-35. They just need some fitting of the head to the haft. Throw away the set screw when your done fitting the head too.
 
If you're going to be splitting alot of wood you would be better off using a splitting axe over a maul. It's lighter and very effective and you will be able to split all day. I have around 15 splitting axes and mauls....my favorite is the Gransfors bruks large splitting axe...it weighs in at 5 lbs. I also find myself using a Fiskars X 27 alot....Around 3 lbs and very effective....I can process a 30" oak log in less then 5 minutes with it.
 
moose11872 said:
If you're going to be splitting alot of wood you would be better off using a splitting axe over a maul. It's lighter and very effective and you will be able to split all day. I have around 15 splitting axes and mauls....my favorite is the Gransfors bruks large splitting axe...it weighs in at 5 lbs. I also find myself using a Fiskars X 27 alot....Around 3 lbs and very effective....I can process a 30" oak log in less then 5 minutes with it.
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I have a 8 lb maul for the wood splitting. I forget the brand, but it was under $40 at Home Depot, so its probably a cheap one. I got it to fill the niche of splitting wood, nothing more. After a few times of using it, it started to enjoy it and wanted to branch out to other forms of axe-like tools. And I've heard good things of fiskars, but I was on a budget to get it, plus I wasn't about to spend too much on something that I wasn't sure how much I was gonna use. I'm really looking for a tomahawk, something that I can 'play' with (like throwing).

LEGION 12 said:
Slightly more than you would like to spend but I think you should look into H & B Forge for a hawk. Great customer service reasonable prices quality work.
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They don't seem too much more expensive, at least for the throwing hawks. The price limit is because of my b-day money. I can "persuade" my wife to let me spend more if I know it would be worth it, but not too much. Also, wouldn't a wood handle break easily? I'm also new to different types of wood. But I'm quickly learning.

Thanks again for the responses everyone!
 
If you username refers to the Zeon Im thinking of, go for a Cold Steel Norse Hawk. You can mod it so many different ways to make it your own with out breaking the bank. Also it kinda reminds me of the hawk the Zaku II uses...
 
ericzhao517 said:
If you username refers to the Zeon Im thinking of, go for a Cold Steel Norse Hawk. You can mod it so many different ways to make it your own with out breaking the bank. Also it kinda reminds me of the hawk the Zaku II uses...
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yup :)
 
ericzhao517 said:
If you username refers to the Zeon Im thinking of, go for a Cold Steel Norse Hawk. You can mod it so many different ways to make it your own with out breaking the bank. Also it kinda reminds me of the hawk the Zaku II uses...
Click to expand...

My name is exactly referencing that. I'm a Zeon supporter in and out. And it wasn't until you made this post that I actually realize the relation between my name and the heat hawk the Zaku II uses. :)

Is the Cold steel Norse Hawk throwable?
 
Dirtbiker said:
To stay under $50 I feel the line of Cold Steel tomahawks are your best. Usually between $25-35. They just need some fitting of the head to the haft. Throw away the set screw when your done fitting the head too.
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So I've been looking at the Cold Steel Spike Hawk and I really like it. But I'm curious as to what you mean by "fitting of the head to the haft", and to "throw away the set screw". Can you clarify this please?

Thanks!
 
Read the "modding the cold steel trail hawk" thread stickied at the top of the axe forum and you will see.

Tomahawk heads are friction fit to their wood handles. Cold Steel (to save money) just press fit the heads to the wood handle and jam a set screw in from the side. I've had tomahawks from cold steel that if the screw wasn't in there the head would just fall off.

No need for the screw, remove it, sand the inside of the head, sand the wood handle and keep fitting the head until it has a nice even fit all the way around the handle. The head will leave a mark.

I can do a full fit, strip, and stain to a cold steel hawk in about an hour.
 
I'm here to tell you, the CS Hawks can be an absolute blast to throw. I have one of each, and they all rock. I always sand down the handle, fit it right, stain it, then chuck the set screw. I have 4 of the CS hawks, and I love throwing them all. The Rifleman's Hawk is by far the heaviest, and works well to actually process wood. I have a nice Coal Creek Forge Hawk that is beautiful, and fun to throw, but it is far more than $40-$50 that a CS Hawk will run. From a pure throwing standpoint, the NorseHawk is good, and very forgiving. This is due to the large cutting surface, and the sharp points on the edge. For actually using, the Rifleman's Hawk is quite nice. This is JUST my opinion, YMMV. I don't claim to be an expert, just a guy that loves to throw hawks. :) Cheers.
 
H b forge is hard 2 beat. But I have several of each of the cs hawks I love 2 take a rifleman and cut it up and make it mo betta. I have 4 norse hawks they are my favorite! I put one on a warhammer handle and I pack it the most.
 
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