Super Newbie questions

alphamaniv

alphamaniv

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Sep 20, 2001
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Hello All,

I have been looking at the American Tomahawk Co. Next Generation Ranger model and had some questions. The only thing I have ever used is an old camp hatchet that I got as a kid. (Please, no laughing)

What I need is something that can be used when camping, for regular camping tasks, but can also live in my survival bag. Although I hope it never needs to chop through a padlock or steel door I would want it to be able to without destroying the hawk. I know that that is extreme, but I want to be ready for anything. I have tried to do away with buying "play pretties" or collector’s items. If I buy it then, by God, it's going to be used for its intended purpose. So, what do you guys think? I will have to save my money for a little while to buy a 300 dollar tool, but I am willing to spend that much, or more if need be, to get what will be USED as a primary cutting, chopping, hacking, possibly defensive tool.
Sorry to go so long and ask so much, but I am new to the tomahawk scene and I know that the experts hang out here.
Thanks!
 
Well alphamaniv, what surprises me most is that no one has answered your question yet.

I am of the opinion that if you are looking to buy a tool to use that hard, something I would look at is the warranty and the background of the company I was buy the tool from.

I think you will find that the ATC hawks are made well and should serve your purpose(s). I know that ATC will stand behind it's products and you will find that dealing with Andy is easy and honest.

My Ranger hawks are well made and tough. I wouldn't hesitate to chop anything I needed chopped with one of my Ranger Hawks. You may have to resharpen the hawk after cutting a padlock, but that is why we buy sharpening equipment.

I like to research and study my purchases too.
 
It's good to know that I'm not the only one who uses the microscope before buying.
Hopefully, the lack of response is because of the weekend. I hope that my questions are not so silly as to offend Tomahawk users. I am just really new to this. Thanks.
 
Hello,
I ordered my Next Generation Ranger Hawk last week. As soon as I get it and take it out to the woods for some testing, I would be happy to let you know what I think about it. As far as the replys to this thread go... well as you can see with the other threads, not many people relpy in this forum.:confused:


Ill get back to you soon:)
 
Thanks, I will look forward to your insights. I think that I might post the same questions in another thread, maybe more replies that way.
 
Alphamaniv

Sorry that it has taken a while to post but I have been out this weekend. So you are looking for a tomahawk that you can use and abuse. Well I will tell you that the Next Generation Ranger Tomahawk is definetly it. I am not just saying that because I work for the American Tomahawk Company I am saying that as a soldier. The Next Generation Ranger Tomahawk brings a whole new meaning to the work funciton. I have tested both it and the Tactical Vietnam Tomahawk and with both I found that they could take what ever I dished out and beg for more. Of course if you chop through a steel door you will have to sharpen the blade. It will punch through dead bolt locks, puch through Kevlar and pretty much destroy anything that you would care to. It is an excelent self defense weapon, lethal and non. I hope that this has helped you and if you have any further questions feal free to ask. I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions.
 
Sorry I haven't replyed. Been out of town, on vacation.

If you don't have the money for the NG Ranger spike hawk. Get the traditional ranger spike hawk. It is 1/2 the price tough and reliable. You can beat the crap out of it and it will still function. Also, spend the extra money for the leather shoulder rig. compliments it beautifully!!!!!;)

You'll love it!!!!:D :D
 
AlphaManIV,

You asked some good questions. Like you, I don't want to throw away money on knives I can't depend on totally. Though I don't have the next generation version of ATC's hawks, I do have one of the first run Roger's Rangers spike tomahawks. I have treated this as a $150 tool...not a collectible. It has been modified to a rifleman's hawk and accompanies me every time I go into the woods.

My opinion is going to be a bit of a dissenting one. Is the hawk a good hawk? Yes. It can chop wood, carve meat, cut things, throw reasonably well, and be very useful. Could it cut a lock? NO WAY! Time for a reality check here. I have rolled the edge on my hawk just from throwing it into logs. I have notched the blade by using it to dig through the Texas clay. The steel used for the hawk is of softer quality. If I used it to try to cut through a lock, I would end up with a blunted and notched $150 hunk of steel on a stick. Now, Andy will claim it can easily cut through a 55 gallon steel drum. So can my arrows that I shoot from my 80 lb bow. But there is no way on this earth those arrows or an ATC hawk is going to cut through a Master lock.

Now, I do have some knives that are made of steel that is so hard, I feel certain I could get the better of a lock. However, that super hard steel is also super hard to sharpen. If you are going to use your hatchet for heavy chopping, then you would want the harder steel where the blade would last longer. If you were going to use it for some chopping, skinning, farm chores, etc., then you would want something that could be sharpened quickly (hence, softer steel).

Of course, I have heard that the steel used by the next generation hawks is tool steel and is harder than what is on my hawk. However, since I haven't been able to purchase one of these hawks, I can't verify this. There seems to be some communication problems with ATC (Andy ???). Once I have one, I will put it through my B.A.D. treatment test and give you an opinion.

Through all of this, keep in mind that locks are made of very strong steel because you aren't supposed to be able to cut them. Honestly, I don't believe there is a hawk out there that could cut through a Master lock...no matter how much you spend. Besides, if you really needed to get past the lock, you could just cut through the wood that the hasp is bolted to. The mind is the sharpest of all weapons. Hope this helps.
 
...real quickly gents! ;D

1) Yes, our NG Ranger Hawk is made from 01 Tool Steel and much harder than the 1095 used in our RR Forged Spike Hawk...the NG will outperform all of our other products hands down....now you all have Justin going outside to chop pad locks....he will post pictures of his work soon enough...both from the NG Ranger and RR Forged Ranger...he guarantees that he'll pop one open with the RR and may just cut through one with the NG. For what it is worth, Walter Brend has shown me pictures of his Model 2 Fighter going through a padlock. It has been done.

2) Lock cutting is a novelty test and I will assure you that if ole' Ranger Justin puts his mind to it, he's gonna BREAK one...but He Crow is right...the RR will probably be a notched hunk of steel on a stick! BUT...let's find out....I'm game!

3) No communications problems are here...if anyone has had a hard time getting me on the phone or e-mail, just let me know here and I will get back to you.

Thanks all...
 
My razor sharp, non-notched, non-blunted RR spike hawk and I await the pictures with great anticipation.

:rolleyes:
 
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