I am awaiting delivery of a Vietnam hawk from Brigade Quartermasters. I notice on the photos of you posing with the shoulder system that your hawk haft has a hole drilled through the it with a nylon thong attached. My questions are these: What is the best way to do this? Is there any certain distance from the end of the haft that I should drill the hole? What size hole should I drill? Will this compromise the structural integrity of the haft? What type of nylon thong did you use? Do you prefer to have a thong on the Vietnam hawks? Is there a downside to this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Questions for Andy about attaching thong to Vietnam hawk
- Thread starter Ad
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Good questions Ad...here is a pic of Chris Caracci's interpretation of the best CQB lanyard for the Vietnam Tomahawk.
After Chris' explanation, this lanyard has become ATC's suggested approach to using a lanyard with the Vietnam Tomahawk. The hole itself is only .25", but it is chamfered or countersunk out to .50"...allowing for two strands of 550 paracord to run through it and not fray from use. The actual hole is .50" from the butt of handle. The stretched loop is 5.5" from the butt of the handle to the inside of the braiding. This is adjustable depending on wrist size.
This lanyard, while fundamental to weapon retention, allows for VERY smooth and secure grip changes on the Hawk from "hammer-style" to a reverse grip...the Hawk uses the lanyard as an axis and spins up and down. Yes, Caracci has devastating techniques to teach in the reverse grip with the Vietnam Hawk.
We have not found a structual problem with the hickory handle...on our synthetic handle, it's what Chris calls an "easy day".
The downside is that the lanyard does make the Hawk a bit tricky to throw. Even if you don't have your wrist through it, the flapping around of the lanyard does influence the flight of the Hawk and make it a bit difficult to get the Hawk off the hand when throwing it...it's not impossible...just tricky.
Chris' braided band on the lanyard makes it EXTREMELY comfortable in use...providing a very stable wrist platform on which to make the grip changes, or use the Hawk under high torque...it is very similar to the wrist straps found on some of the finer ice axes.
We expect to have more info on Caracci's high speed approach to Vietnam Tomahawk Combatives.
Hope this helps!!!
After Chris' explanation, this lanyard has become ATC's suggested approach to using a lanyard with the Vietnam Tomahawk. The hole itself is only .25", but it is chamfered or countersunk out to .50"...allowing for two strands of 550 paracord to run through it and not fray from use. The actual hole is .50" from the butt of handle. The stretched loop is 5.5" from the butt of the handle to the inside of the braiding. This is adjustable depending on wrist size.
This lanyard, while fundamental to weapon retention, allows for VERY smooth and secure grip changes on the Hawk from "hammer-style" to a reverse grip...the Hawk uses the lanyard as an axis and spins up and down. Yes, Caracci has devastating techniques to teach in the reverse grip with the Vietnam Hawk.
We have not found a structual problem with the hickory handle...on our synthetic handle, it's what Chris calls an "easy day".
The downside is that the lanyard does make the Hawk a bit tricky to throw. Even if you don't have your wrist through it, the flapping around of the lanyard does influence the flight of the Hawk and make it a bit difficult to get the Hawk off the hand when throwing it...it's not impossible...just tricky.
Chris' braided band on the lanyard makes it EXTREMELY comfortable in use...providing a very stable wrist platform on which to make the grip changes, or use the Hawk under high torque...it is very similar to the wrist straps found on some of the finer ice axes.
We expect to have more info on Caracci's high speed approach to Vietnam Tomahawk Combatives.
Hope this helps!!!
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1) Obtain black 550 cord from climbing or camping resource
2) Unwrap plastic packaging carefully
3) Leave at least 4 messages with Caracci, begging him to return your call....
4) Overnight Cigars and Wine to Caracci's house with your Tomahawk and cord bundled in the package
5) Prepare for return call of abuse from Caracci...telling you to leave him alone or he will turn your world upside down
6) Receive new lanyard tied onto your Hawk from Caracci the following day if you withstood his BUDS level of humiliation.
Seriously Brian, I am trying to learn the process of tying this bad boy myself....as soon as I get get it documented with pictures, I will try to upload something here.
Good to hear from you friend....my apologies that I have not responded to your recent notes and cute pics of the baby!!!!
2) Unwrap plastic packaging carefully
3) Leave at least 4 messages with Caracci, begging him to return your call....
4) Overnight Cigars and Wine to Caracci's house with your Tomahawk and cord bundled in the package
5) Prepare for return call of abuse from Caracci...telling you to leave him alone or he will turn your world upside down
6) Receive new lanyard tied onto your Hawk from Caracci the following day if you withstood his BUDS level of humiliation.
Seriously Brian, I am trying to learn the process of tying this bad boy myself....as soon as I get get it documented with pictures, I will try to upload something here.
Good to hear from you friend....my apologies that I have not responded to your recent notes and cute pics of the baby!!!!
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- Nov 2, 1999
- Messages
- 2,805
Sure....I'll hold him down with my truck while Melvin flashes Chris's Pendulum knife around, yelling "...this is my SEAL SKINNER!!!!"
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- Aug 1, 1999
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- 746
I remember at dinner Justin, Caracci, Frank, and I were discussing various military terms. I made the statement that I wasn't very well versed in military details. Caracci responded, "Good."
I got to get me one of them Seal Skinner knives. There is a nice article about Caracci and the Pendulum in Tactical Knives this month.
Do ya think your truck will hold him?
I got to get me one of them Seal Skinner knives. There is a nice article about Caracci and the Pendulum in Tactical Knives this month.
Do ya think your truck will hold him?
Melvin,
If Andy loaded the bed of his truck full with vietnam hawks. Put one pallet of RR spike hawks on the hood. Along with all the Brend Hachets on the roof. With Chris pend under the truck!!!!!
We might have a slim chance of survival
Andy would you agree with this?
Vance
If Andy loaded the bed of his truck full with vietnam hawks. Put one pallet of RR spike hawks on the hood. Along with all the Brend Hachets on the roof. With Chris pend under the truck!!!!!
We might have a slim chance of survival
Andy would you agree with this?
Vance
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
- Messages
- 932
Hasn't anyone in the forum ever just considered saying "please" to Chris caracci??? And possibly sweetening the deal deal by giving him some cheesecake in gratitude??????
No one yet? Bummer. I'm on the brink of drilling a hole in the haft of mine. I hope I get it right (I'm a mechanical idiot). On the other hand, I hate to wreck the original haft and am contemplating picking up one of the new hawks w/ synthatic haft. Maybe I'll just hold off drilling for a little while...
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- 8,917
Andy,
Is Mr. Caracci placing his thumb through the lanyard and then the lanyard goes against the back of the hand, then the 'Hawk swung up into the palm? There is a variation where you can hold two fingers out and then reverse the swing and end up in reverse grip too [the dreaded Praying Mantis position, it will light you with a 'Hawk].
The Lanyard looks like a four strand Square Crown Sennit, or a variation with the ends tucked back in and hotknifed/burned in place.
Sailors is good with rope and cordage, ain't they?
Is Mr. Caracci placing his thumb through the lanyard and then the lanyard goes against the back of the hand, then the 'Hawk swung up into the palm? There is a variation where you can hold two fingers out and then reverse the swing and end up in reverse grip too [the dreaded Praying Mantis position, it will light you with a 'Hawk].
The Lanyard looks like a four strand Square Crown Sennit, or a variation with the ends tucked back in and hotknifed/burned in place.
Sailors is good with rope and cordage, ain't they?