RMJ or Winkler?

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Nframe357

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Aug 19, 2014
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Looking for a full tang tomahawk, either RMJ or Winkler. Use will be woods use, processing wood etc. Of course the defensive use is important as well. Planning some woods trekking. No interest in a traditional wooden handled hawk. Thinking a Shrike or Combat Axe I know neither are perfect for strictly woods use. What do you guys think?.
 
Love the RMJ. You should check out the Swamp Rat Kill Devil Sniper Hawk. Half the price, all the performance.
 
Well, I had a shrike, awesome hawk, but not great for chopping. I sold it, and bought a kestrel, dam good hawk for the woods. I also have a winkler combat axe, the winkler chops a little better, but I prefer the rmj. If it was me, personally I would buy an rmj, but from what I see, I should have bought a little bird, seems like a good outdoor hawk. Also the jenny wren is almost my most preferred hawk, due to its size and all out bad ass ness. It would be the only hawk I need, if only it had a better useable spike on it. I use the spike more than the blade dam near. But you cant go wrong with either. Also storm crow, aka James Helm, and Ben Tendick make some really awesome tomahawks too. They are members here on the forum. Good luck in your decision.
 
rodriguez7 said:
Well, I had a shrike, awesome hawk, but not great for chopping. I sold it, and bought a kestrel, dam good hawk for the woods. I also have a winkler combat axe, the winkler chops a little better, but I prefer the rmj. If it was me, personally I would buy an rmj, but from what I see, I should have bought a little bird, seems like a good outdoor hawk. Also the jenny wren is almost my most preferred hawk, due to its size and all out bad ass ness. It would be the only hawk I need, if only it had a better useable spike on it. I use the spike more than the blade dam near. But you cant go wrong with either. Also storm crow, aka James Helm, and Ben Tendick make some really awesome tomahawks too. They are members here on the forum. Good luck in your decision.
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Kind of like this? RMJ is supposed to be releasing this one soon, dubbed the active shooter. All the best traits from Jenny with some improvements,,,

Active20Shooter20Hawk_zpssm9dlvge.jpg
 
If I could give you another option, I would check out Helm Forge. He is known as Storm Crow on the forum here. Not that there is anything wrong with either of the other 2 makers. I own a RMJ and love it. But Storm Crow really makes an awesome hawk. There are several of us on the forum that own own one. Good luck with what ever you choose. You can't go wrong with any of them.
 
Yup, that active shooter looks perfect. I want it. I don't have a face book, and from what I hear that's the way to find info. On the good stuff. Any clue when it's supposed to be out?
 
I have a Winkler Combat Axe. Good for limbing, OK for chopping (about as good as my Busse ASHBM), pretty poor at splitting because the micarta comes up so far on the handle. It's better if you split using the method of holding the axe against the outside of the wood to be split and then whacking the wood on another log. (Probably didn't explain that great, but I'm trying to differentiate between just striking down into a round.) I don't think there'll be much difference between the RMJ and Winkler, really. Either will work, neither is exactly ideal. If it were me and I picked one for just woodsy stuff, I'd get a model with a hammer poll.

I know you didn't ask, but if it's for woods and outdoor stuff I've found I'm personally much better off with my GB small forest axe.
Hope this helps.
 
trukreltrog said:
Kind of like this? RMJ is supposed to be releasing this one soon, dubbed the active shooter. All the best traits from Jenny with some improvements,,,

Active20Shooter20Hawk_zpssm9dlvge.jpg
Click to expand...

The active shooter may just scratch the Winkler itch I've been having lately- looks great! :thumbup:
 
I had a Winkler Combat Axe, really felt like it'd be a superior chopper with how well the weight was distributed by the distal taper. I ended up selling it because the handles came to close to the head and the head seemed a little small to me- I wanted more cutting edge.

I still have the Shrike and Jenny Wren. The Shrike chops pretty well for what it is and it "feels" like a framing hammer to me so I really like the familiarity it gives when using it.
The JW goes with me hunting, it does very well processing game. Although it chops a little better than you'd expect it's definitely no wood processing monster- though it does bite deep on soft wood.

I bought a Little Bird thinking it'd replace the JW but never took it to the woods, I ended up returning it because when lightly swinging it to get a feel for it I couldn't help but feel like it needed some type of swell or fawns foot at the bottom- everybody's different but I just felt like it was going to fly out of my hand.

The Active Shooter interests me a LOT. Having a similar cutting edge to a JW or the RJ designed Chogan with a more useful spike than the Wren without the top of the hawk being sharpened is very appealing to me.

As far as hammer polls go on Tac Hawks I don't need them, they're too thin to be useful and I can always cut a baton if I need to hammer. The spike may be more dangerous but it's very useful. Opposition will say the same thing, that you can always make a sharp stick to poke, dig, stab, etc with so I usually don't state which I prefer, but, it's definitely a personal choice.
 
Nframe357
I haven't purchased a hawk yet, but that RMJ Active Shooter will be the first. I've contemplated the Jenny Wren but the spike on this one (AS) has sent me over the edge! Now, when and how much. I would try a Winkler just to test out his rubber handles. Bussekin Res-C are my favorite for users...
 
I really like the looks of the active shooter as well, anyone know how soon it'll be released? This is a tough choice, lots of options to look at, thanks a bunch guys!
Just took a peek at the Helm forge hawks as well, those are sweet! Choices, choices.
 
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You might like Ben tendicks peregrine hawk too. I think it's a really nice design. But I would prefer a longer spike, personally.
 
As has been mentioned you can't go wrong with either RMJ or Winkler, or the KDSH as a cheaper but equally capable alternative. So one thought that may affect what you choose is this. How soon do you want it? Several websites carry Winklers in stock vs ordering from RMJ which may take a week but could also take several months. Just be aware of that incase you have any upcoming camping trips or hikes planned where you want to use your tomahawk.

One option that hasn't been mentioned is Dave Wenger, I bought a hawk from him a few months ago and couldn't be happier, it is certainly on par with the others and the sheath (similar to Winklers) is just outstanding.
 
Tried googling but came up empty, how do I find Dave's wares ? Time frame is kind of important, its for a late July outing.

87matt60 said:
As has been mentioned you can't go wrong with either RMJ or Winkler, or the KDSH as a cheaper but equally capable alternative. So one thought that may affect what you choose is this. How soon do you want it? Several websites carry Winklers in stock vs ordering from RMJ which may take a week but could also take several months. Just be aware of that incase you have any upcoming camping trips or hikes planned where you want to use your tomahawk.

One option that hasn't been mentioned is Dave Wenger, I bought a hawk from him a few months ago and couldn't be happier, it is certainly on par with the others and the sheath (similar to Winklers) is just outstanding.
Click to expand...
 
Having seen both of them post here on BF, and RMJ post quite s bit on Facebook, I have to say they seem like great guys and Ryan Johnson is truly a gentleman and a scholar. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I own quite a few hawks from both....I think my Combat Axe and Little Bird are probably the two best suited for what you want. One comment I will make is that Winklers have smaller heads and less cutting edge than you might expect, which may make them easier to carry and more maneuverable for the high speed low drag guys but makes them a little less woodcrafty to me.

The Busse KDSH is another good option but for around $100 I'd also check out the RMJ CRKT Chogan and Kangee collaborations. I used mine to demo a plaster wall including some heavy prying and all it did was dull the edge a little and get some stuff on the coating.
 
I can't say anything about the winklers besides I think they are gorgeous, but I own an rmj kestrel and it's awesome I don't think it's super wood oriented but the little bird Jenny wren and the upcoming woods Hawks all fit the bill. If your not dead set on the more modern tactical Hawks you can look into getting a custom more traditional hawk forged. I've got 2 from coal creek and they are great useful and beautiful.
 
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