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Synthetic handles
- Thread starter fudo
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2000
- Messages
- 786
Yes, I'm interested in this also...might even influence me to finally purchase one.
Regards,
Clyde
- Joined
- Nov 2, 1999
- Messages
- 2,805
The use of a synthetic handle, bonded to the head, improves two features in the Vietnam Tomahawk's design, but has a price.
1) Head slack resolution due to the use of a bonding agent, such as epoxy, between the unidirectional glass handle core and the eye of the head...it's a very, very strong relationship. It's either perfect, or broken. There is no in between.
2) The synthetic handle allows the Hawk to be carried and used, in water, without reservation...a MUST for the military. As Chris Caracci told me recently "...wood has not been in battle for many years."
Now the price is that if it breaks, and it can, the user, at this point in the planning, will probably have to send their Hawk in for a replacement handle. We are trying to work out a "kit" to resolve this problem, but the odds are against it right now.
Why? Because the handles are custom fit, pressed into place, centered, then bonded. Equipment and experience is needed to get this fit performed correctly. As mentioned, we are trying to work out a kit that would allow the customer to do this.
Now on the other hand, it should be noted that the Rangers do in fact, like the wood handle.....as they are light infantry, and do most of their work on dry land. Why?
It's easily replaced if broken...wood is abundant....AND...the strength characteristics of the hickory are not significantly exceeded by the synthetic handle.
We drove a hickory handled Vietnam Tomahawk through a Kevlar helmet as easily as the synthetic handled one. In addition, the hickory handle does keep the weight of the Hawk under 1 lbs., where as the synthetic runs a few ounces heavier. The weight of a soldier's basic load is totally measured and known....every ounce counts.
Both offer insulating properties to electricity in cutting live power wire or cable, though it is not recommended (right Cliff
), as the Arc can still get the user cutting the cable depending on conditions.
In short, what the synthetic handle offers is strong material, strong assembly, use in water, and 100% performance all the time, in terms of handle/head integrity. It is not easily broken at all...what it took to break it in our testing is far more than most will apply to their personal Hawk.
At the moment, the synthetic handled version, which we are calling the "Tactical Grade" Vietnam Tomahawk", will take a bit more time in finalizing as a product offering. In the interim, the hickory continues to be a strong performer and is meeting the needs of most people in the field.
1) Head slack resolution due to the use of a bonding agent, such as epoxy, between the unidirectional glass handle core and the eye of the head...it's a very, very strong relationship. It's either perfect, or broken. There is no in between.
2) The synthetic handle allows the Hawk to be carried and used, in water, without reservation...a MUST for the military. As Chris Caracci told me recently "...wood has not been in battle for many years."
Now the price is that if it breaks, and it can, the user, at this point in the planning, will probably have to send their Hawk in for a replacement handle. We are trying to work out a "kit" to resolve this problem, but the odds are against it right now.
Why? Because the handles are custom fit, pressed into place, centered, then bonded. Equipment and experience is needed to get this fit performed correctly. As mentioned, we are trying to work out a kit that would allow the customer to do this.
Now on the other hand, it should be noted that the Rangers do in fact, like the wood handle.....as they are light infantry, and do most of their work on dry land. Why?
It's easily replaced if broken...wood is abundant....AND...the strength characteristics of the hickory are not significantly exceeded by the synthetic handle.
We drove a hickory handled Vietnam Tomahawk through a Kevlar helmet as easily as the synthetic handled one. In addition, the hickory handle does keep the weight of the Hawk under 1 lbs., where as the synthetic runs a few ounces heavier. The weight of a soldier's basic load is totally measured and known....every ounce counts.
Both offer insulating properties to electricity in cutting live power wire or cable, though it is not recommended (right Cliff
), as the Arc can still get the user cutting the cable depending on conditions.In short, what the synthetic handle offers is strong material, strong assembly, use in water, and 100% performance all the time, in terms of handle/head integrity. It is not easily broken at all...what it took to break it in our testing is far more than most will apply to their personal Hawk.
At the moment, the synthetic handled version, which we are calling the "Tactical Grade" Vietnam Tomahawk", will take a bit more time in finalizing as a product offering. In the interim, the hickory continues to be a strong performer and is meeting the needs of most people in the field.
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Andy Prisco :
Overcoming the bond of a strong epoxy is not easy as you want it to be difficult to remove in the first place. Have you looked at the possibility of screwing/pinning the head to add to the security of a fitted attachment. You would not have to penetrate the full depth of the handle to greatly add to the security and thus the loss in durability should not be extensive. As well field service is trivial as any flat topped tool could be used as a makeshift screwdriver.
Unless it it New Years and you didn't get a chance to buy any fireworks, as you are very likely to become one.
-Cliff
Overcoming the bond of a strong epoxy is not easy as you want it to be difficult to remove in the first place. Have you looked at the possibility of screwing/pinning the head to add to the security of a fitted attachment. You would not have to penetrate the full depth of the handle to greatly add to the security and thus the loss in durability should not be extensive. As well field service is trivial as any flat topped tool could be used as a makeshift screwdriver.
Unless it it New Years and you didn't get a chance to buy any fireworks, as you are very likely to become one.
-Cliff