Question Re: CS Trail Hawk

T

theedge13

Joined
Feb 11, 2008
Messages
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So, i guess ive been cheating on WS+S...ive been over in the axe forum looking around. That Trail Hawk mod thread really has got me gasing for one of those duders! I know it is no true axe by any means, but how good are tomahawks in the field for bushcraft/camping type duties. I think mountain men prized them (right?) and I am just needing some info before i go and pull the little trigger on this cat.

Thanks as always!
 
i can only offer my opinion but it works great. the trail hawk chops very well actually with its narrow bit. i find it to chop better than a heavier hawk does. the only draw back imo to the hawk is it is a poor splitting tool compared to a traditional hatchet but there are ways around that.

i prefer the Vectorized trail hawks most. his are more than just a good handle but proper bit alignment too. this really makes a difference to me
 
crossada said:
i can only offer my opinion but it works great. the trail hawk chops very well actually with its narrow bit. i find it to chop better than a heavier hawk does. the only draw back imo to the hawk is it is a poor splitting tool compared to a traditional hatchet but there are ways around that.

i prefer the Vectorized trail hawks most. his are more than just a good handle but proper bit alignment too. this really makes a difference to me
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Good post...

I think i saw someone (simon i believe) splitting wood by laying the piece of wood flat on the ground and going at it that way..vs the conventional way of setting the log up so that you hit the cut end instead of the bark section..does that make sense? i guess i should say he layed the log horizontally on the ground vs vertically ala typical batoning style...
 
Yeah, the narrow head bites deeply, which makes it great for limbing trees or chopping (though, not really for splitting). I re-profiled mine with a sharp convex edge, and it can easily shave fuzz sticks or cut notches when you choke up on the grip. It can't compete with an axe when it comes to heavy chopping or splitting, but I find it to be an incredibly useful tool for snowshoeing, as it is light, has a long handle (for knocking snow off of branches), and can make short work of fallen limbs.

BoxingDaySnowshoeing009.jpg


All the best,

- Mike
 
Mentor said:
Yeah, the narrow head bites deeply, which makes it great for limbing trees or chopping (though, not really for splitting). I re-profiled mine with a sharp convex edge, and it can easily shave fuzz sticks or cut notches when you choke up on the grip. It can't compete with an axe when it comes to heavy chopping or splitting, but I find it to be an incredibly useful tool for snowshoeing, as it is light, has a long handle (for knocking snow off of branches), and can make short work of fallen limbs.

BoxingDaySnowshoeing009.jpg


All the best,

- Mike
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Looks good...tell me about the rest of your mods?
 
Thanks! Nothing too fancy. The head was sanded down, file worked a bit, and then given a patina through immersion in boiling vinegar. The handle is hickory, with some design work cut and wood-burnt into it, and a few coats of Danish oil.

IMG_2829.jpg


All the best,

- Mike
 
How do they compare to a hatchet, like the 19" Wetterlings and GB? Obviously birds of different feathers, but still would be interesting to see.
 
I like them, my favorite is the norse hawk it bites deep and has 4.25 in cutting surface. No hammer poll but I have still driven stakes and the like with the back. It throws and sticks really well.
There are some members here that use the norse for winter camping and survival training in Canada, can't remember their names (Magnussen maybe??) but hopefully they will post and mabye link an old review.......
 
They are great. A little work, and they become an awesome tool.

I had a forged one from KR Johnson that was amazing as well. (Quite a bit better then the CS) It had more of a wedge to the head....It was pretty inexpensive as well. I need to pick up another..

100_0661.jpg


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Mentor said:
Thanks! Nothing too fancy. The head was sanded down, file worked a bit, and then given a patina through immersion in boiling vinegar. The handle is hickory, with some design work cut and wood-burnt into it, and a few coats of Danish oil.

IMG_2829.jpg


All the best,

- Mike
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Looks nice..thanks! :thumbup:
 
theedge13 said:
That is nice JW!
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Tuxdad said:
I like the hawk also JW.. Does KR Johnson have a website ??
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Thanks guys...:thumbup:

Its got a great weight to the head too, so with the wedge shape and the heft it outchopped my CS Frontier Hawk.

KR Johnson is a maker here on BF, he does these in batches that show up on the makers for sale forum from time to time. This is his French Hawk...
 
j williams said:
Thanks guys...:thumbup:

Its got a great weight to the head too, so with the wedge shape and the heft it outchopped my CS Frontier Hawk.

KR Johnson is a maker here on BF, he does these in batches that show up on the makers for sale forum from time to time. This is his French Hawk...
Click to expand...

Thanks! I like the beard on it..is that the corrrect term? such a hawk newb
 
It works surprisingly well at chopping, better than a small machete or even a large knife. Splitting -it can do, but it is thin, so it may need a little baton assistance, or wooden wedges.

It also works well as a tomahawk:D:thumbup:
 
My sisters boyfriend wanted one for his birthday, and I showed her where to get it for him. It seems like a great tool for camp, but I am unsure of extended use. I prefer the hatchet head to the tomahawk.
 
If your going to be using on as a primary tool, I would suggest fully attaching the head, if not it can come off when you don't want it to. Unless you want it able to pack up easily, making the head snug is a primary thing to do.

My trail hawk was used extensively over a year while I was back east. I had just under a year to camp, hunt and fish untill my heart was content. In that time, the trail hawk was my go to tool, because of its lightness factor. I wore it on the belt, like mentor, for many, if not all of my Snowshoeing treks. It packed easily on and pack, and worked very well.

pb020008fq0.jpg


The head profile as you can see is not set-up for splitting, but taking down saplings for shelter, cutting up fire wood, and while it is possible to split wood with it, its just difficult.

p8300383nx2.jpg
 
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