Skinning with a hawk

[mwkerr]

This past fall I decided to try using my Gransfors Bruks hunter's axe for skinning. My Dad raises beef and we do a half or a whole beef for each family. This year we did nine beef. I used the Bruks Hunter's axe on two beef and a competition hawk from Two Hawks on two other beef. Two Hawks competition 'hawk can out-skin the hunter's axe any day of the week. Between the grip while choking up on the haft of the hawk and the edge geometry of the bit, Two Hawks is the better tool. Both were shaving sharp, the hunter's axe was certainly serviceable, and I did not use the flay poll of the hunter's axe. There were three of us skinning and I didn't want to swing an axe with all the group activity. I guess the point is, the hawk is an all around tool, it was a part of a mountain man's kit for a reason. Some of those reasons are valid today, it is a tool as well as something that is fun. As sharp as mine are, I knew that it would be worth trying on a skinning chore. I was amazed at how much faster we were able to do the job using a hawk.

 

[Two Hawks]

Dear Mike,
Thanks for the information. I have always said that the hawk is an all purpose field cutting tool and that is another excellent example.
The Competition is primarily set up for throwing at a block of wood. However, as you discovered in the field, it is also great for a lot of other things like other traditional-based hawk designs. You can use it like an Alaskan Ulu as a good skinning tool, and hawks also work well for fleshing hides as well as other butchering chores.
Enjoy your hawks, on the throwing range and in the field.
Best regards,
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net

 

[mwkerr]

Yup, I thank you for the finest example of a 'hawk that I own, all 4 of them! You are an artist, and I'm proud to own examples of your work. Like you've said in the past, they are tools meant to be used, and such fine examples, mine will be passed on for future generations to use and enjoy. I already have nephews that are drooling over mine. They also have hawks by the way, they've got my old ones that were forged in India,,, Best to ya! Git well my friend!, Mike

 

[DancesWithKnives]

Interesting report, thanks very much. I would guess that unless you are pounding hard with the flay poll on the GB axe to accomplish some difficult hide separating, the heavier weight, longer handle, curved grip, and flatter cutting edge of the Hunter's Axe would put it at a disadvantage to the Competition hawk when it comes to skinning.

I also like the Competition for utility work but Two Hawks doesn't focus it on that market because it doesn't have a hammer poll for pounding in tent stakes, etc. I like it enough that I think I'd be willing to look for a rock to pound tent stakes (or bring a free-standing tent).