Selecting One Woods/Urban-Fringe Hawk/Hatchet

fishsquatch · Jul 13, 2016

Selecting one Woods/Urban-fringe Hawk/Hatchet

If you could carry only one tomahawk/hatchet for mostly camping/hiking/woods work but also want it to be useful for rescue/extraction, which one would it be?* I already have a couple GBs, so am set for deep woods work and backpacking. I want something i can bash around.

Since most of the use will be in the woods, that is the top priority.* Which of the more tactical light-breaching tomahawks are the best at processing wood, so it would be great to hear from people who have actually processed a fair amount of wood!*

This does not need to turn into a*spike vs hammer poll debate - I want a usable spike.

Help me meet my perfect tool so I do not have to have to buy and sell a bunch to find it!

Tool must be good at:
Undramatic bushcraft.
Chopping small branches and limbing.
Basic carving, so I need to be able to comfortably choke up on the handle.
Being carried easily so compact is a bonus.
Occasional dramatic door busting!

Current candidates:
Helm 12 wrecker
RMJ 2015 Little Bird
RMJ Pathfinder
Winker II Ranger
Winkler II Combat
Others options?

Thanks in advance! And sorry if this topic has already been covered. I did search . . .

Park Swan · Jul 13, 2016

I don't have wood chopping time with any of the hawks mentioned, so don't mistake this comment for actual user experience, but James Helm's hawks are the only I have been able to find videos demonstrating their ability to process woods while at the same time being able to wreck man made stuff with no problems. He also mentions in his videos that he purposefully gave them a wood cutting grind.

LG&M · Jul 13, 2016

What is Undramatic bushcraft?
How do you dramatic door busting ? Can a door be undramaticly busted?
I say CS spike hawk.

Square_peg · Jul 13, 2016

Vintage claw hatchet on an 18" riggers hatchet handle. The claw can sort of act as your spike plus you get a hardened poll and a bit with great multi-purpose geometry.

fishsquatch · Jul 14, 2016

I try and be more zen when bushcrafting. More "hulk smash" for doors.

I am surprised about the suggestions for wood-handled hawks. I still presume a solid tang is necessary for even limited breaching.

Square_peg · Jul 15, 2016

I have used axes and hatchets for almost 50 years and I have never found any need for breaching anything with one. Maybe if I were a burglar or something........

Hickory n steel · Jul 15, 2016

You're not gonna need to breech doors while out woodcrafting, plus Any axe that's good for door breaching isn't gonna be good for woodcraft.
Try a riggers axe on a 20" curved handle . it will be best for woodcraft which would be it's primary use ( the hammer head should be pretty useful ), and the hammer head should give it some door breaching ability in a pinch.

If you think the curved handle would hinder the use of the hammer head, just remember that fireman's axes have curved handles and no problem using the pick.

Park Swan · Jul 15, 2016

Square_peg said:
I have used axes and hatchets for almost 50 years and I have never found any need for breaching anything with one. Maybe if I were a burglar or something........

I never needed to drink a cold beer after a day of working in the sun, but I manage to enjoy it nonetheless.

WJC01 · Jul 19, 2016

I have experience with the ShrikeS 13, Pathfinder aka Active Shooter, Jenny Wren, and 12inch Wrecker. The Jenny Wren wins in the lightweight handi to use and carry in the bush but I dont think it would be a great breacher-I've been told a unit within the USMC think otherwise in its breaching capabilities however. The Shrike can handle all that's thrown at it, but its mostly a breacher. See the attached post for the Pathfinder and Wrecker Those two handle the job well. It'll come down to personal preference of which to choose. I kinda threw this post together but its my down and dirty 2 cents. Mistwalker is also a wealth of knowledge on this subject

Shrike S13-processing fish

Jenny Wren-quite a chopper

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ker-Month-review-AAR?highlight=active+shooter

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nd-the-Wrecker/page2?highlight=active+shooter

These two old post might be have your answers-Gotta get ready for work now-can answer any questions later. Let us know what you decide

fishsquatch · Jul 19, 2016

Thanks for the insights and links. I was hoping you would chime in!

Does the axe-head size difference between the wrecker and pathfinder make a big difference in ease of carry? Specs show the Pathfinder is 4 oz heavier than the JW, is that difference really noticable in the hand or on the pack?

WJC01 · Jul 19, 2016

For belt carry those 4 ounces make a difference. In the pack that depends on what kind of weight are you used to carrying. Pathfinder and Helm both carry about the same. I can post additional pics or whatever else you need.
I still go out on daily excursions with the hawk of the day but just haven't posted for a while.