opinions on Coldsteel Trail Hawk

R

robrinker

Joined
Jun 26, 2006
Messages
2
I am as new to this forum as anyone can possibly be, but what is your opinion on the ATC Trail Hawk? At the risk of being labeled a mall ninja, which would pain me to no end, but for $23-25 bucks, and no real reason to purchase a tomahawk other than add it to the personal "battery" in my safe, can a fella go wrong purchasing one of these?
 
For $25 bucks? I highly doubt it. If you don't have anything similar, and don't figure you'll be able to appreciate the difference that you could get if you spend an additional $100, then by all means get it. Everybody should have a useful hawk somewhere in their bag of tricks.
 
And Welcome to the Forum! Look around here in the Hawk forum and you'll find a number of threads about those hawks that guys have modified or personalized. It's fun, and you end up with a better tool. Enjoy!
 
cant go wrong with the trail hawk...I have about every hawk out there (RMJs,VTAC,Emerson,LMAX,K5 on order,blah,blah,blah) I have a Survival Sheath Systems and homemade kydex sheaths for my CS Trailhawks...I throw em and abuse em...for the money buy several of em....they will serve you well...I use em at work (Police Sniper),trapping, hunting, hiking, and everything else...cant go wrong
 
robrinker said:
I am as new to this forum as anyone can possibly be, but what is your opinion on the ATC Trail Hawk? At the risk of being labeled a mall ninja, which would pain me to no end, but for $23-25 bucks, and no real reason to purchase a tomahawk other than add it to the personal "battery" in my safe, can a fella go wrong purchasing one of these?
Click to expand...

Inexpensive, fairly durable, throw very nicely. There are nicer 'hawks out there, but the TH is great bang for the buck, so long as you're not looking for a practical camp axe type 'hawk...
 
I like them. I also own a Fort Turner and a VTAC but the Trail Hawks are my favorite throwers and customizers. Get one and have at it. I posted these before but gives you an idea of what one can do on a weekend.

th002.jpg
 
Thanks for all the responses and welcoming the new guy. I picked up a TH today and like it a lot. I have never customized anything before but for $25, I cant go too wrong. The bottom TH is more to my liking (hatchetjack: thanks for the pics). I will keep you posted on what I can come up with. I do like the look of classic tomahawks!
 
robrinker said:
Thanks for all the responses and welcoming the new guy. I picked up a TH today and like it a lot. I have never customized anything before but for $25, I cant go too wrong. The bottom TH is more to my liking (hatchetjack: thanks for the pics). I will keep you posted on what I can come up with. I do like the look of classic tomahawks!
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Congrats, and enjoy!
 
hatchetjack - really like the top axe pictured. Care to tell me how you did it, and if a newbie could do it?

Thanks.
 
Anyone can do it. Get a can of Krylon paint, some electrical tape and paracord. The paracord wrap is just a hangman's knot.

Strip the black finish with paint stripper. Peels right off.

Glad you liked it. hatchet-
 
These hawks are great for the price and a great place to get started. From my experience though there are some things that I prefer:
#1 at least a 2" wide blade
#2 a hammer head that is twice as tall and half as short

This would make a great hawk for a very light trail tool if all you did was cut 1/2" off of the hammer end. IF you have the ability, I would weld a little hard facing on the hammer as well and then regrind it flat. This would give the hammer head a much more durable face. I have looked at these at the gun shows a few times for my sons for thier first hawk, but keeping hoping that I can get my forge welding down and make them thier first hawk.
 
Hey! nice customization. You also can sharpen the bottom edge for about 2 inches which are good for trapping and hooking and were used in traditional old school hawks for combat. It will also make it easier for splitting and twisting cuts in saplings and wood in making expedient tools and shelters (ie. see modern day shingling hatchet). If you like I can email a drawing and instructions for shaping w/o heat treat damage. Brad Roe. Guild Knives & Tools



http://stores.ebay.com/RoeKnivesNGifts
 
I have 5 trail hawks I use for throwing. I cut the hammer part off for a more traditional look and it made them just a bit lighter.I have experimented with several styles and models of throwing hawks and I find the trail my favoriate.
JB
 
rdelliott said:
Inexpensive, fairly durable, throw very nicely. There are nicer 'hawks out there, but the TH is great bang for the buck, so long as you're not looking for a practical camp axe type 'hawk...
Click to expand...

OK, but what if I am looking for a practical camp axe? I need something for splitting small firewood (under 6" diameter) and driving/pulling tent pegs. Being throwable would just be a bonus, but sturdiness, moderate-to-light weight and cost-effectiveness are important.

Would the CS Riflreman's Hawk be a better choice? Or should I forgo the tomahawk style and look for a reasonable hatchet?
This little deal looks interesting, but kind of gimmicky... http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MLT5105-1494-516.html
Has anyone used one of these? It sure is ugly but if it's sturdy it would make a lot of sense.

Sorry if I'm off-topic!
 
GibsonFan said:
Would the CS Riflreman's Hawk be a better choice? Or should I forgo the tomahawk style and look for a reasonable hatchet?
This little deal looks interesting, but kind of gimmicky... http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MLT5105-1494-516.html
Has anyone used one of these? It sure is ugly but if it's sturdy it would make a lot of sense.
Click to expand...


I have a couple of those. They sell locally for about $3-$6. I actually like them. However, if a Trail Hawk is too light for your work, these are definitely a step in the wrong direction. They are quite light, and small. The steel is soft, but they can take a good edge. The handle coverings aren't very secure. I'd glue them in.

For the price CTD wants, however, I'd pass and spend $20 on a 14" Fiskars hatchet.
 
I looked at that Fiskars hatchet at Gander Mountain the other day and passed on it because it looked so... plastic, lol. But since then I've read a couple reviews of it here and you're not the first to recommend it. However the handle just doesn't appeal to me.
I'm going to check the local hardware stores for that prybar-hatchet-thing, they carry odd stuff like that someitmes. My better half might like it better than I do; she hates heavy tools/knifes. I on the other hand like a little heft, it seems to help me keep track of where the edge is going, if that makes sense. So maybe I'll order a Rifleman's Hawk for myself.
Anyone know any comparable hawks to the CS Rifleman for around the same price?
 
GibsonFan said:
OK, but what if I am looking for a practical camp axe? I need something for splitting small firewood (under 6" diameter) and driving/pulling tent pegs. Being throwable would just be a bonus, but sturdiness, moderate-to-light weight and cost-effectiveness are important.

Would the CS Riflreman's Hawk be a better choice? Or should I forgo the tomahawk style and look for a reasonable hatchet?
Click to expand...

Sorry about the late response; was having some connectivity issues. I own two Rifleman's Hawks. One I throw, and one is for camping. They're a fabulous camp axe, IMHO. Very practical, and they throw nicely, if a wee bit heavily. They're a great little axe.
 
rdelliott said:
I own two Rifleman's Hawks. One I throw, and one is for camping. They're a fabulous camp axe, IMHO. Very practical, and they throw nicely, if a wee bit heavily. They're a great little axe.
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Cool, that's good to know. That's about what I thought, but it's nice to hear from someone who's used it. Besides, I think the Rifleman will look nice alongside my satin TrailMaster :) (once I strip off that horrible Krapton handle and put some hardwood on there) Now all I need is a good 4-5" fixed blade and I'm all set...
 
shecky said:
I have a couple of those. They sell locally for about $3-$6. I actually like them. However, if a Trail Hawk is too light for your work, these are definitely a step in the wrong direction. They are quite light, and small. The steel is soft, but they can take a good edge. The handle coverings aren't very secure. I'd glue them in.

For the price CTD wants, however, I'd pass and spend $20 on a 14" Fiskars hatchet.
Click to expand...
I got one of those from CTD for $10. It was junk, and not worth the price.
 
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