SOG Fusion Tomahawk Review

Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
25
I`ve had a few tomahawks over the years, some from Cold Steel, some custom. I've never been too interested in the Vietnam style hawks but I picked up SOGs interpritation of it a while back just for grins.
To date, my fav. hawk has been Cold Steels Norse Hawk. It is in my opinion the best of the Cold Steel line of tomahawks- I've owned or played with most of them. Once one reworks the edge it comes with (this is lacking on all of there hawks in my experience) it has been a chopping, hacking, digging, throwing machine! I even split a brand new cold steel handle on another hawk sticking out of a target with it! The Norse Hawk went through the handle and still stuck into the target! (that was not intentional BTW, but still cool!)
SOGs hawk may give my Norse hawk a run for its money though. While a little shorter than I'm used to, it hits like a truck both in hand and thrown. ( I sent it THROUGH one inch pine on a throw- I'm not a big guy!)
It clears brush well, though predictably, not as well as a machete, digs well, though predictably not as well as an E-tool, chops great in both green and dead wood and pounds both stakes and nails well, though predictably not as well as a hammer. It throws very well and hits its target with authority with either the back spike or the blade, flat on or up to about a seventy degree lead point first angle.
The edge holds up pretty well under all this abuse and comes back easily. So far, no chipping or folding either.
The (fiberglass?) handle worries me a little in so far as UV resistance and overall durability, but so far, so good. I will break it eventualy I'm sure, I always do, but it looks to be easily replaced as long as SOG offers replacements. I will point out here that this is the first such tool I have had that didn't have an ash or hickory handle. I do like the langets projecting down the haft into a protective metal sleeve. The langets provide a secondary function of protecting the haft but looking at the construction of the tool, I would guess the primary function of them is to disperse the point of stress on the haft. Good engineering SOG!
As a weapon I would hazard a guess that it would perform admirably. Light and fast, it moves quickly and recovers easily. The small (two and a half inch) edge backed by the weight of the weapon and the power of a swing would yeild vicious, deep wounds, though I prefer a curved blade for greater penetration. That is offset by the back spike however- I have no doubt that it would penetrate deeply into protective gear and into the flesh and bone behind it. In defense, the haft is protected by the aorementioned langets and sleeve about four inches down the haft.
As a thrower it is quite decent. Throws well, hits hard, sticks solidly. The grooves on the handle, while aiding in grip with in hand use, don't interfere with a release on the throw.
The only thing I don't realy like about this hawk is the sheath it comes with. Bulky, poor retaining system, not deployable quickly and smoothly and one undersized belt loop. I will undoubtably make a leather one that suits my needs at som point.
I have always said the German Shepard Dog is not the best at anything, but is second best at EVERYTHING. I would call this hawk a solid German Shepard. If you need to do a lot of hacking, get a machete. If you need to do a lot of chopping, get an axe, if you need to drive a lot of nails or stakes, get a hammer, if you need to split a cord of wood, get a neighbor kid, if you need to fight off bad guys, call air support.
If however you need one tool that can to a greater of lesser degree fill all of these shoes, you could do far worse than SOGs interpritation of the Vietnam Tomahawk. Awsome tool, good price. Once again, SOG does not disapoint!
Peace
John
 
Very nice review, you will be perfect if you included some pics of it sticking in pine and so on.

If you continue like this you'll definately be a valuable addition to Bladeforums. Welcome.

(I like reviews especially real-use types because it saves me cash instead of actually buying the stuff to try out first. Although I already own a Fusion Hawk :))
 
Thanks for the welcome! Unfortuntly, like I said in response to another post, it didn't occur to me to bring a camera and not being too computer savvy I wouldn't know how to post them anyway.
It didn't even occur to me to write these reviews until I sat down and did them out of boredom- there is a tropical storm hanging overhead and it was downpouring a good hunk of the day! I usualy don't have the attention span to sit in front of a computer for more than about ten minutes at a time!
Mostly I decided to write them because when researching various products, I find them a valuable resource in my own decision making process.
Again, thanks for the welcome! I hope folks find these reviews helpfull or at least entertaining!
Peace
John
 
I like it when posts or threads are contributions to the pot that is knowledge. Some posters do not do much except post jerk-its or or offer not postitive contribution.

Try photobucket. Load up pics on photobucket and then post them here. I did it too this way on my threads long ago.

Keep up the Good work, by the way, I like pros and cons section as it is more realistic and useful especially by users.
 
I'm the original poster. I don't use the e-mail I opened that account with anymore and I can't remember my password. Since I lurk here often but rarely post it was easier for me to just create another account :o
The SOG fusion hawk...yeah....Turns out SOG did disapoint
I don't recomend this to anybody. a couple months (October) after I wrote the above review the handle of mine snapped under the metal collar while I was chopping though a green three and a half inch maple branch with it, sending the head winging towards my face (thank god for my ninja reflaxes whtcha! lol!:rolleyes:)
I actualy finished chopping the branch with my Super SOG Bowie.
Definitly weaker than the hickory handles my CS hawks use or the ash handle the bearded norse hand axe I made use.
I tried a few times to get the matter dealt with with SOGs warranty dept. and got nowhere. Eventualy, discouraged I just figured it sucks to be me and I'd just have to eat the thing. It is kicking around my brother in laws shop right now where I left the pieces. It never occured to me at the time to post here as I was rarely ever online at the time and eventualy I just forgot the whole thing.
So yeah... in my sad experience this product is a waste of sixty bucks (thats what I paid at a gun store for it on impulse) and I was unable to get satisfaction from the warranty. I would most definitly NOT recomend this product and in two and a half years have had no interest in replacing it. I know other people have had good luck with them, maybe I got a dud, who knows. If I got a new handle I MIGHT use it but then after having that blade winging towards my head, I would be hesitant- all ninja jokes aside
Swing and a miss on this one SOG. You can do better.
John
 
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