SOG Fusion Tomahawk

R

Robert Carrifee

Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
5
:grumpy: Sadly I was very dissapointed in this new product. After waiting quite some time to get ahold of one I finally received 3. Eagerly I put the first one to the test and started chopping at a 4" dia. tree root in my yard. It cut well for the first three hacks, then broke in half just below the steel band that encircles the throat. I did nothing unusual, I did not even miss and strike the root with the throat, it just snapped in half. I fully expected this to happen after inspecting the new item as the shaft looks very thin and vulnerable. After the break I could inspect the wood also, it looks like a cheap mahogany of some sort, not the hickory you would expect. I was impressed with the hawk head itself though and fully intend to refit it to an acceptable hickory or synthetic shaft. Personally I think if SOG went to some sort of synthetic shaft they would have a real winner. But as it sits, its pretty, but not something you would want to rely on. Don't pay full price, 'cause you are gonna have to relace the shaft!
 
I had the same problem and replaced the the cracked wood handle with a Ti shaft. It is a good bit heavier but extremley functional now. You are absolutly correct that the blade and spike head are a good and well done piece. That handle was JUNK!!!! I tried to put it into prespective by remembering I paid $39.00+shipping and an American Tom or a K5 tactical is in the $200.00 range. You get what you pay for, BUT! it should not go to pieces in a few whacks.....Have fun with the rebuild!!!!
 
Bummer, I really liked it for what it was but you should at least be able to use it. Maybe on the other two try treating the handles first with maybe some linseed oil or something to moisten the wood in case it dried out sitting on the shelves. That may be what's causing the handles to break so quickly.
 
It's a Shame, that Sog is doing this. It seems like every product in their Fusion line is a piece of crap. I know that the price of all the knives, hawks, etc. are very cheap so whats the point? :thumbdn:
 
SOG "Fusion," Ontario "Rugged Gear," cheap fodder for knife kids (I was one; many a seven dollar Pakistani knife graced my youthful pockets), and unfortunate soldiers who know they need a knife but don't know what makes a $50 Spyderco, or $20 KaBar Dozier better than a Smith & Wesson, Fusion, or Rugged Gear. I'll bet that's the target demographic, and it pisses me off.

I'm in no way suggesting that soldiers are dopes to be taken advantage of, rather that not all are knife enthusiasts, and I imagine that not all have the time or inclination to research and evaluate what works well and what won't, especially being busy getting ready for a deployment.

Sorry for this rant, but it bugs me. My latest Brigade Quartermaster catalog's blade section only had MOD $200-300 folders, KaBar Commemorative knives, and cheap, $7-10 folders. If I were in a hurry, and wasn't going to spend two Benny Franklins on a 'super ninja death-throe' knife, well, my options are limited.

Reminds me of some Engineers I met in an army/navy store looking for rucks and assorted gear. Were they checking out the $50 ALICE packs that are at least somewhat well built? Nope. Not when $30 chinese "ALICE" junk packs were a few feet away. I said what I could.

It just really bothers me. But anyway...

Y'all take care.
 
"There is scarcely anyhting in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is that man's lawful orey."

John Ruskin (sunny optimist)

(actually lots worse and lots cheaper)
 
Madmanamus: I bought some P.O.S. Smith & Wesson knife at the "Military Clothing Sales" store on post about a year ago (when I was still in the Army). I didn't do any research first, but knew that S&W made decent pistols, so I "trusted" the name. I can honestly say that I have never, not once, carried that knife with me. The blade wasn't even fully ground - it had a flat cutting edge that still had the powder coat on it. I think that its in storage at my parents' house somewhere now. I too was very disappointed that a military store would sell a piece of junk like that to a soldier, and that a "respected" company would market a piece of cr@p to the military.
 
diceman said:
Madmanamus: I bought some P.O.S. Smith & Wesson knife at the "Military Clothing Sales" store on post about a year ago (when I was still in the Army). I didn't do any research first, but knew that S&W made decent pistols, so I "trusted" the name. I can honestly say that I have never, not once, carried that knife with me. The blade wasn't even fully ground - it had a flat cutting edge that still had the powder coat on it. I think that its in storage at my parents' house somewhere now. I too was very disappointed that a military store would sell a piece of junk like that to a soldier, and that a "respected" company would market a piece of cr@p to the military.
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Thank you for your service.

In the Civil War, contractors sold boots to the U.S.Govt with soles literally made of paper. Then there was the moldy flour and rotten meat.

Some folks, buying and selling, only care about the almighty $$$$.

I was looking for an inexpensive "Harpy"-type knife to cut up some old carpet. I bought a S&W "Cuttin' Horse" that promptly closed on me. The linerlock bar (more like the linerlock foil) went all the way to the right (viewed belly up) and between the blade and right scale. I had not been fooled by "Surgical Stainless Steel," but this WAS unexpected. After looking for a few minutes, I found the tiny "China."
 
I picked up a fusion hawk recently as well and was trying to decide what to do with the fragile looking shaft.
Any ideas on where I could get an appropriate sized Ti shaft? I imagine I would have to find someone who could predrill the necessary holes for me.
 
All I am going to say is this...

Refer to the latest issue of American Handgunner and see which brand gets more coverage. ;)

Never used the K5, but I cannot imagine it being better than my VTAC. Aint that right willie and Hatchetjack? ;)
 
reconseed said:
All I am going to say is this...

Refer to the latest issue of American Handgunner and see which brand gets more coverage. ;)

Never used the K5, but I cannot imagine it being better than my VTAC. Aint that right willie and Hatchetjack? ;)
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Well said Reconseed !!!
 
diceman: I'm really sorry to hear about that experience. And I can only echo Thomas Linton, "Thank you for your service."

And I agree, reconseed, the VTAC seems to be the best buy out there as far as hawks go. Though, I can't recommend American Handgunner after reading their 2006 Tactical Annual; the knife article "Simple Steel," aside from containing no real info, showed someone digging a pebble out of their shoe sole with the fine tip of a SOG Daggert! :eek: Makes my skin crawl. lol.

Take care.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Thank you for your service.


I was looking for an inexpensive "Harpy"-type knife to cut up some old carpet. I bought a S&W "Cuttin' Horse" that promptly closed on me. The linerlock bar (more like the linerlock foil) went all the way to the right (viewed belly up) and between the blade and right scale. I had not been fooled by "Surgical Stainless Steel," but this WAS unexpected. After looking for a few minutes, I found the tiny "China."
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I handled this knife about 2 months ago. It felt like a total POS, the blade looked junky, it felt cheap and the handle was very flimsy, blade wobbled, etc.
 
"I was totally impressed with the Fusion Tactical Tomahawk and plan to get a couple more for my collection." May 2007 Tactical Knives magazine. The use it was put to? Slicing paper, and using the "skull-penetrating point" to open a can of dog food! After this extensive testing, "...on a battlefield today, and it came down to hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, I'd reach for my(sic) Fusion Tactical Tomahawk before I'd reach for my fighting knife!"
I hope the enemy has paper body armor and pot metal weapons! :)
 
I recently bought my first 'hawk, and it was the fusion. Guess I should have read this first. If I'm going to try and replace the handle is there a good site that has a bit of a 'how to,' and what material would be best?
 
i got an american tomahawk company hawk used (slight rust on edge , wear on coating , used) and it works beatifully . the best bit? got it with like new leather sheath for $80 aussie dollars (about 50 usd) . man its an awesome hawk . my first as well. i was gonna get the sog knives one , but then i came across this thread
 
I'm new to Blade Forums. Just joined today.

I came over here to research tomahawks for backpacking and camp use (primarily) and defense (secondarily).

I am finding a lot of useful info.

Like other posters, I have been intrigued by the SOG Fusion for some time and planned to buy one. (I have two of their knives, Seal Pup elite and Sogtool, and have found them to be great tools. So, I expected the fusion to be comparable.

However, after doing a search on "fusion" in this Axe, Tomahawk, & Hatchet Forum, and finding several bad reviews of the SOG with respect to their weak handles (admittedly couched among others that like them), I've pretty much been persuaded to look elsewhere.

My investigation list is getting longer now:

  • ATC VTAC (although I think I'm looking for a hammer poll instead of a spike ... still researching that...)
  • Hays (especially their Montana Hunter 14")
  • K5 (especially their utility and tactical hammer polls)
  • Fort Turner (their trapper catches my eyes)
  • Bear Mountain (Rogers' Rangers Field Grade Light Infantry looks good, even if a bit heavy for my needs)

Fine forum you folks have here. I look forward to learning from you.

Nem
 
even though i own two spike hawks (atc rogers rangers, rmj eagle talon) i think the design limits what can be done with it. from a utility stand point not much can be gained in a woods enviroment with a spike other than digging. for weapon purposes i find dwight mcclemore, laci szabo, and lynn thompson don't like the spike either stating a weapon should face away from you. spikes look really cool though:thumbup:
 
witchhunter said:
even though i own two spike hawks (atc rogers rangers, rmj eagle talon) i think the design limits what can be done with it. from a utility stand point not much can be gained in a woods enviroment with a spike other than digging.
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W'hunter, that's very useful information for me. It speaks directly to two of my main questions that I've been working on.

1) exactly what ARE the uses of a spike beyond the obvious of punching holes in non-living and living (though not for long) objects. I've been pondering, "hmm. in terms of camp/trail/wilderness, what use would that spike have. Digging came to mind, as did busting apart rotting logs looking for food (like in a real dire need). But I've wondered how often I'd actually use the 'hawk for those uses (I don't remember the last time I needed to bust open a log to find food), and I've been hard pressed to imagine other uses. Not saying they don't exist; that's why I"m here to learn from those of you who've been using them a while.

2) I've wondered whether those who train with tomahawks as weapons would recommend a spike or not. And so, you're statement ...

...for weapon purposes i find dwight mcclemore, laci szabo, and lynn thompson don't like the spike either stating a weapon should face away from you. spikes look really cool though:thumbup:
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...was very timely.

Interestingly, I just ordered Dwight McClemore's The Fighting Tomahawk today. Very much look forward to reading it. (I was pleased to find that he is a member of this forum, also.)

So, all that by way of saying, thanks. :)

Nem
 
that book is money well spent. dwight really knows his stuff. i have the cold steel dvd set and a tape by james keating. i still find dwight's book the easiest to follow.

there is a good thread on the wilderness/survival forum on the vtac by cliff stamp where he has uses for the spike. i also remember reading a review of the rogers ranger spike by brian jones too if you are looking for more opinions
 
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