The new Fusion

Robert H

Robert H

Premium Sheathmaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 24, 2001
Messages
8,326
I've had an opportunity to put a fusion through its paces. Great hawk. Inexpensive, great gripping surface, great construction, excellent for weapon on weapon, due to the head construction that has a metal collar with an exposed slanted surface to the head, and a great weight.

The negatives are the sheath, but I've yet to see a decent sheath for any axe out there.

I'd carry this in a second as a fighting hawk. Indeed, I think this exceeds any of the hawks on the market. Good for SOG.

SOGFusion.jpg
 
wasn't there a report of a fusion hawk breaking while chopping wood, or something obsene like that? i think thats what is scaring a lot of people away.
 
I'm sure that was back in the days of the old wooden handles. Today their handles are synthetic and because of that they can take significant beating.

Given the price which is half to a third of the VTAC I can't complain. It's lighter too so as a fighter it is probably quicker than the VTAC however lacking in power.
 
Well, remember that the older hawks used in battle seem to be built for speed rather than power as well.
 
CaptInsano said:
Well, remember that the older hawks used in battle seem to be built for speed rather than power as well.
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True...

Long time ago i wondered what is the minimum level of power to kill a man assuming the person is wearing moderate protection and I came into conclusion that a typical tomahawk swung at a normal speed is likely sufficient to penetrate the protection hence wound/kill the intended.

Also another basic requirement is that of a hatchet to which the fusion is superior to compared to the average hatchet. Satisfying the requirement of hacking small branches or other hunting/camping requirement.

My conclusion (theory based) is that the fusion is sufficient in terms of power for basic 'hawking' and outdoors use. If more power was required (trading off the speed) then the VTAC is a good choice.
 
The first ones in wood had a breaking point, just like a Cold Steel or VTAC wood version. The latest version is synthetic, and much more durable.
 
I think this is the hawk I've been looking for! Was the original sheath nylon? (I'm assuming you made the kydex one pictured....or :foot:) :D
 
The "field grade" Vietnam hawk has a hickory handle.
 
edison said:
I think this is the hawk I've been looking for! Was the original sheath nylon? (I'm assuming you made the kydex one pictured....or :foot:) :D
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Yes, a quite cheesy, and typical, nylon. But you expect that. Knife makers rarely make great sheaths.
 
Doesn't the straight (vs. curved) edge cost in penetration? Isn't that one of the key features of a 'hawk?
 
MVF said:
Doesn't the straight (vs. curved) edge cost in penetration? Isn't that one of the key features of a 'hawk?
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A straight blade penetrates better.
 
420 stainless. Not super great, but more than enough.
 
CaptInsano said:
That's news to me. Someone should tell those Khukri guys about this.
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I think the sentence should be like the edge (corner) of the blade of a straight blade of a hawk penetrates deeper upon impact compared to the impact of a not-straight blade since it's corner isn't so 'angled' if anyone gets my meaning.
 
Yes but the tip area is still sharp (small) enough for it to penetrate deeper compared to a a hawk or axe with a less sharper angled profile. Even more so for the sharp end compared to the unsharpened end.

Assuming the weapons used to test this are roughly the same weight, the wood is the same and swung with the same force it should penetrate deeper.

However in chopping stuff then the curved blade is better due to the high chance of small contact area (hence cutting pressure) compared to the straight blade. However swung with the aim of embedding the tip (corner) than the VTAC should shine.

Khukri depends on the cutting action obtained more easier due to the sickle like shape. Like a samurai sword depends a lot on the friction of the sharp blade moving along the cut path to cut. Also the weight distribution of the khukri is more forward (due to shape) resulting in the something to me like a 'follow-through' force which is kinda nice as well as helping in the alignment of the blade to the direction of force being more in line.

...if anyone gets my meaning. Reading back I'm having trouble understanding myself cause i'm a bit long winded.
 
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