Ragnar or Fort Turner Cast 410 vs 1020/1095 Forged

[Triquetra]

I started this post over in the axe & tomahawk forum but didn't get any response so I thought I would try here. I am debating between a couple of the Alan Foundry hawks from Ragnar and those from Fort Turner for my outdoor wilderness needs. I know some are going to say a regular hatchet is better but I like the "mystic" of the hawks if that's the word to use. The Ragnar hawks are cast from 410 steel and he says that they will hold something of an edge. Would this 410 steel hold up as well as or keep an edge as well as the Fort Turner hawks which are forged 1020/1095 for actual chopping use. I want a user not a looker. I'm also looking for a chopper not a thrower. I know that customer service is great from both and I assume that the FT are probably a little more heavy duty but I like a couple designs for Ragnar's site a little better. Are you losing much in durability going with the AF hawks? The AF hawks also seem to be a little lighter.

 

[Troop]

I've found, generally speaking, that forged blades hold up better than cast ones....the forged steel gets worked more; more thermal cycling, normalizing.

 

[Blue Sky]

I've asked this question before more or less and the response then was that cast heads would hold up just fine as long as the heat treat was good. Ragnar's are meant for throwing, a pretty demanding usage so I think they are plenty tough, but his own words tell me not to expect them to hold a great edge. That's not to say the FT hawks are necessarily any better, mind you, but with a 1095 bit I think it is a reasonable assumption.

 

[tarmix101]

While I have no experience with hawks, I do have several axes. GB SFA, Wetterlings large hunter, and a forged double bit from Lee reeves.

I can tell you that all are fantastic axes. I also have a cheap felling ax from Big R (a ranch store here in the N.W.) and it has performed every task I have asked it to. It normally gets used when major damage could be done to the edge of my nicer axes.

Do a search here on the "Fort Turner". i know I have read a few reviews in the past.

 

[Triquetra]

Do a search here on the "Fort Turner". i know I have read a few reviews in the past.

I've actually done a lot of searching on the Fort Turner hawks and have no doubt that they are one of the best. I also plan on getting one sometime in the future.I was just considering the others because I like some of the styles a little better. However, I'm not willing to trade style for usability.