the Cold Steel Butter Kni-- er, Trail Hawk

Moondrop

Moondrop

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
817
Don't think I've ever posted in this section of Bladeforums before, so howdy all.



I have a feeling that the way the Trail Hawk (and Cold Steel's other hawks?) ships possibly puts some people off 1) Cold Steel's hawks and/or 2) Hawks in general, when they take it out of the box and realize how dull it is. If they either don't know how to fix it or aren't into modding their brand-new hawk to make it work they can be(and some are judging from some posts I've read) left with the impression that either Cold Steel's hawks are useless toys or that *all* hawks are useless toys that people buy only for the novelty.

I've seen posts by people who bought and tried the Trail Hawk right out of the box, not realizing it needed to be sharpened to cut more then the hood of a car and that it would need to be thinned a bit to do more than chop wood. So they were left with the impression that it was incapable of anything useful and either sold it, traded it or just put it aside--one person said he used the handle for kindling and put the head in a drawer.


Am I the only one who thinks Cold Steel may be doing themselves and tomahawks in general a disservice by shipping these things with such a thick, dull edge?
 
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I sell 'em sharpened up, for reference. Just as combo packs right now, but I'll be splitting them up soon due to popular demand.
 
I wouldnt mind spending a couple of extra bucks on their hawks or machetes if they came with a decent edge that was pretty usable(I would sharpen to make very usable). but if the cost would somehow go up greatly id rather sharpen them myself
 
I enjoy the extra work, actually. This is what I call fun, and at the same time I get to personalize my edge. This was how all the big makers sold axes back in the day, and some still do. On to your point, I think a big chunk of their buyers either knows they need some work or don't mind doing it at the very least. I believe cold steel knows a lot of these are purchased as modding tools and hence the lack of extra work on the edge.

BTW, all my cold steel hawks take a very good edge and perform surprisingly well for their weight. My trail hawk in particular is one of my best choppers.
 
Agreed--I do think a ground but unsharpened edge bevel makes modding work easier. Though painter's tape produces a similar effect. :)
 
Liam Ryan said:
On to your point, I think a big chunk of their buyers either knows they need some work or don't mind doing it at the very least. I believe cold steel knows a lot of these are purchased as modding tools and hence the lack of extra work on the edge.
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Ah, but what about the ones who buy them not knowing that they're shipped a tad unfinished, and can perform much better with a bit of work and are getting the impression that this is what tomahawks are and dismissing them as a usable tool as a result? What I'm seeing on some boards and even youtube is the "it's a weapon, not a tool" thing being repeated over and over. That it's good for cracking skulls but not chopping wood. They then extend that to *all* hawks and repeat to anyone that'll listen that a hawk is a fun toy to throw at trees, but that's about it. I hope I'm making sense--I've got a wicked headache at the moment.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I sell 'em sharpened up, for reference. Just as combo packs right now, but I'll be splitting them up soon due to popular demand.
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As far as I know, you're the only one selling them that way. Bought a Tramontina from you a while back, so I have no doubt that a Trail Hawk from you is very different from what leaves the factory. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the kind words, dude! I just don't like selling anything I wouldn't be happy with personally! :)
 
Someone that buys an edged weapon without realizing it could be sharpened is a little "dull", I would say. (pun intended :))
 
Moondrop said:
What I'm seeing on some boards and even youtube is the "it's a weapon, not a tool" thing being repeated over and over. That it's good for cracking skulls but not chopping wood.
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I would hope that anyone who hears the line "good for cracking skulls" would immediately disregard the youtube moron. A stick of steel pipe is "good for cracking skulls" - so what! Those people who heed that crap are probably the same morons who would never think to sharpen an edged tool.

Liam Ryan said:
Someone that buys an edged weapon without realizing it could be sharpened is a little "dull", I would say. (pun intended :))
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True. Unfortunately, there are plenty of "dull tools" to go around.
 
It is true that most 'hawks on the market are weaponized in design rather than being a strict tool-use orientation, and it does cause performance to suffer a little vs. a tomahawk designed as a tool first and foremost and weapon second. You have to remember, though, that it IS Cold Steel we're talking about here. :D But that being said they can be used very well for woods work.
 
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