Tactical Tomahawks on a budget

panzertroop

panzertroop

Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
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Looking for an inexpensive tactical hawk to mess with. I just want to be able to sharpen it to my liking. Any suggestions?
 
Check out the Estwing Black Eagle. Cost around $40. I have one that stays in my truck toolbox. Extremely tuff but the edge(s) will probably need some work.
 
dug24 said:
Check out the Estwing Black Eagle. Cost around $40. I have one that stays in my truck toolbox. Extremely tuff but the edge(s) will probably need some work.
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I forgot about those. Good call. I think lowes carries them
 
If you surf on over to knifecenter and go to their Specials section, there is always a discount tac hawk or two there. Seems like there are 4 models under $40, if you just want something to sharpen and beat up.
 
I have a soft spot for inexpensive hawks. Despite the more expensive ones being more than capable to handle whatever is thrown at them, I still have a hard time buggering up $100-$300 hawk. I have several Cold Steel hawks, but none of them are tactical. I have had pretty good luc with the $20 Colt hawk I picked up a few years ago.

My favorite of the bunch are the SOG hawks. I really thought I would hate them, to be honest. Chinese stainless heads, and I wasn't sure how I would feel about the fiberglass handles.

I bought a Voodoo hawk on clearance for $20 at Academy and put it through its paces. It has handled pretty much everything I could toss at it. The head has remained firm with no wiggling at all. About the only thing that I don't like, and this is just from a strict packing standpoint, is that the head, while cool, is a bit large. I'm not a fan of multi-step sheaths and prefer the belt-tuck. The wide squared off beard and accentuated spike are a bit...pokey.

I picked up a Fast Hawk today on a whim. I plan on keeping this one "impact sharp" where the kinetics do the cutting instead of trying to keep the relatively soft edge from deforming. I plan on using it more as an impact tool instead of a cutting one. It carries nicely on a looped belt holster for a fast draw, and the smaller beard and spike ride more out of the way than the Voodoo.
 
The Estwing is butt ugly compared to their traditional axes, but I think that you can trust them to make a decent product for the money. I would like to see them do something like what tinkerers/modders have done with their roofer's hatchet.
 
jdm61 said:
The Estwing is butt ugly compared to their traditional axes, but I think that you can trust them to make a decent product for the money. I would like to see them do something like what tinkerers/modders have done with their roofer's hatchet.
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I'd love to see a pic or get a link to that kindly, brother! You guys are amazing.
 
jdm61 said:
View attachment 772418
Ask and ye shall receive. This guy was limited by the length of the hammer head when he ground the spike. That would not be an issue of Estwing came up with a new set of forging dies.
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Thanks jdm61. This guy did an great job with the modification. I'm new to tomahawks and not sure if I'm a spike kinda guy or not.
 
Not really a fan of spikes. Spikes have uses, in SOME cases, like if you need to ventilate a barrel, or a bad-guy's cranium. For most situations, the hammer is more useful. But, I rather prefer a traditional hammer-polled 'hawk, as opposed to a full-tang flat-stock model. The relatively thin stock of a FTH makes an accurate swing more critical, as well as more difficult, especially if one is cold, wet, or tired, all three of which can happen at the same time in an emergency situation. It is possible to rotate the full-tang 'hawk 90 degrees in hand, and hammer with the flat side of the head, but the resulting lack of concentrated force, as well as the accuracy of the blow, will suffer because the force of the blow will be spread out, and likely not centered perfectly.
Your mileage may vary...
 
justjed said:
Not really a fan of spikes. Spikes have uses, in SOME cases, like if you need to ventilate a barrel, or a bad-guy's cranium. For most situations, the hammer is more useful. But, I rather prefer a traditional hammer-polled 'hawk, as opposed to a full-tang flat-stock model. The relatively thin stock of a FTH makes an accurate swing more critical, as well as more difficult, especially if one is cold, wet, or tired, all three of which can happen at the same time in an emergency situation. It is possible to rotate the full-tang 'hawk 90 degrees in hand, and hammer with the flat side of the head, but the resulting lack of concentrated force, as well as the accuracy of the blow, will suffer because the force of the blow will be spread out, and likely not centered perfectly.
Your mileage may vary...
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Think abut a late medieval war hammer which had a hammer face to ring an armored guy's bell and then a spike to finish him off. Cheap, but effective.
 
Unless you have a real need to punch holes in something, IMO, a spike is a relatively useless accoutrement. Yeah, you can use it to pick up a hot coffee pot by the bail in camp, but otherwise, I can't think of many real uses for one. A war-hammer was a specifically designed piece of gear, and quite effective in dispatching an armored opponent, that is why I mentioned ventilating a cranium. But in today's less heavily armored environment, a .45(my preferred ventilator) is just as effective, and much easier to use. Assuming, of course, that you possess the skills and determination to use it correctly.
 
There are exceptions to every rule. Spikes are cool, no doubt. And they do have uses, tho not so much these days as in times past. Now, where I live, a spike 'hawk can/could be the difference between a fun afternoon and a trip to the emergency room(or worse). Our area has an over-abundance of pygmy rattlers, copperheads, scorpions, etc. And using the spike to roll logs, or lift and turn over other debris before you put your fingers under it makes sense. But generally I can do much of the same work with the beard of a more traditional 'hawk, and I find the hammer more useful in the field than a spike.

I'd never presume to tell someone they shouldn't get something if they want it. Quite the opposite, in fact. But oftentimes, the romantic idea of a particular piece outweighs the practical nature of that same piece. And I am just as guilty as the next guy about suggesting stuff that I like when someone asks 'what should I get for this or that task?' Hell, I LIKE spending other peoples' money!
 
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