- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 618
I have now been lucky enough to handle and play with and own quite a variety of so called tactical tomahawks that are currently available. Unfortunately, many are priced well above the original $250 mark. I have come to the conclusion that there are three reasonably distinct groups of what could be referred to as tactical hawks, at least for the hawks I have handled.
Group One (Potentially Concealable Close Quarter Combat Hawks)-This group includes hawks like the Sayok Winkler spike and non-spike Hawks, and I suspect the RMJ Kestral. Perhaps the CQC-T hawk could be included here if a decent quick release sheath could be made for it. All these hawks have a main reason for existence - close quarter combat. One requirement of this group is that a quick release sheath is a must and they must be short in length so as to be concealable. Their blade profile is relatively thin and knife-like. Maybe they could be used as breaching tools at a pinch but that is generally not their primary function. All are reasonably lightweight. For example, the CQC-T weighs 20 ounces. The wooden handled Sayok Winkler non-spike hawk weighs 21 ounces (without the sheath) and the spike version weighs 22 ounces. The Tracker Dan sheath for the Sayoc Winklers probably epitomizes the type of sheath required for this type of tactical hawk with its lightweight and quick release using only one hand. I personally like the Sayoc Winkler hawks in this group for one major reason, they are specifically designed so that the spike is less likely to injure the user compared to say something like the CQC-T. Their disadvantage is their high purchase price. Most of the available training dvd's do not primarily show how to use this type of short handled hawk effectively, in my opinion. However, I have been told that there will finally be a training dvd completed this year for the Sayoc Winkler hawks.
Group Two (breaching tools) - This group generally includes heavier and longer handled hawks (but not always) but are recognized by having a much thicker blade profile than those hawks in group one. The four that I own that fall into this group are the American Tomahawk VTAC, the RMJ Shrike, the K5 and the Cold Steel Trench Hawk. They can be use for close quarter combat but probably their number one function is as a breaching tool. For value for money, the Trench Hawk is amazing value. All four mentioned are excellent hawks. My favourite is the Shrike. It is a relatively heavy indestructible hawk. Mine weighs 765 grams (over 27 ounces) without the sheath. However, it is one of the most perfectly balanced hawks I own (not head heavy) which makes it extremely quick in the hand so that it could be used for close quarter combat as could the other two, but that is not its prime function. I actually had to weigh mine three times because it felt so light in the hand and I couldn't believe my scales - it is quite an amazing design. The only minor thing that I don't like about the Shrike is the thinness of the steel haft near the head which makes it less comfortable when the hawk is held close to the head. If you ever get the chance to view the head of a CQC-T and a Shrike together you will see the quite prominent difference in blade thickness which aids in deciding whether you are dealing with a category one or two hawk. One is a slicer, one is pounder. The Cold Steel Trench Hawk and the VTAC are both relatively inexpensive hawks.
Group Three (long handled combat hawks) - I would place lightweight hawks with a minimum 22 inch long haft into this category. Many of the new lighter weight Cold Steel models could fall into this category. I have one from Steve from Coal Creek Forge that I would identify with this group. It has a 22 inch haft and weighs only 17 ounces. VEC's hawks would be placed here. A great training dvd for this group of hawks is the Cold Steel dvd set. It really is well produced. Technically, if they are to be true tactical hawks, they should be near indestructible with a synthetic or steel haft - not a wood haft - but hey, Magua (of Last of the Mohicans fame) used a wooden haft hawk of this type quite effectively for most of the movie. This groups advantage is the reach of that haft. The Coal Creek Forge hawk is the one that sits on my bedside table. Generally, hawks in this group have more of a head heavy balance compared to the more neutral balance of hawks in groups one and two. Generally, hawks in this category cost less than hawks in categories one and two, but again, not always.
Group One (Potentially Concealable Close Quarter Combat Hawks)-This group includes hawks like the Sayok Winkler spike and non-spike Hawks, and I suspect the RMJ Kestral. Perhaps the CQC-T hawk could be included here if a decent quick release sheath could be made for it. All these hawks have a main reason for existence - close quarter combat. One requirement of this group is that a quick release sheath is a must and they must be short in length so as to be concealable. Their blade profile is relatively thin and knife-like. Maybe they could be used as breaching tools at a pinch but that is generally not their primary function. All are reasonably lightweight. For example, the CQC-T weighs 20 ounces. The wooden handled Sayok Winkler non-spike hawk weighs 21 ounces (without the sheath) and the spike version weighs 22 ounces. The Tracker Dan sheath for the Sayoc Winklers probably epitomizes the type of sheath required for this type of tactical hawk with its lightweight and quick release using only one hand. I personally like the Sayoc Winkler hawks in this group for one major reason, they are specifically designed so that the spike is less likely to injure the user compared to say something like the CQC-T. Their disadvantage is their high purchase price. Most of the available training dvd's do not primarily show how to use this type of short handled hawk effectively, in my opinion. However, I have been told that there will finally be a training dvd completed this year for the Sayoc Winkler hawks.
Group Two (breaching tools) - This group generally includes heavier and longer handled hawks (but not always) but are recognized by having a much thicker blade profile than those hawks in group one. The four that I own that fall into this group are the American Tomahawk VTAC, the RMJ Shrike, the K5 and the Cold Steel Trench Hawk. They can be use for close quarter combat but probably their number one function is as a breaching tool. For value for money, the Trench Hawk is amazing value. All four mentioned are excellent hawks. My favourite is the Shrike. It is a relatively heavy indestructible hawk. Mine weighs 765 grams (over 27 ounces) without the sheath. However, it is one of the most perfectly balanced hawks I own (not head heavy) which makes it extremely quick in the hand so that it could be used for close quarter combat as could the other two, but that is not its prime function. I actually had to weigh mine three times because it felt so light in the hand and I couldn't believe my scales - it is quite an amazing design. The only minor thing that I don't like about the Shrike is the thinness of the steel haft near the head which makes it less comfortable when the hawk is held close to the head. If you ever get the chance to view the head of a CQC-T and a Shrike together you will see the quite prominent difference in blade thickness which aids in deciding whether you are dealing with a category one or two hawk. One is a slicer, one is pounder. The Cold Steel Trench Hawk and the VTAC are both relatively inexpensive hawks.
Group Three (long handled combat hawks) - I would place lightweight hawks with a minimum 22 inch long haft into this category. Many of the new lighter weight Cold Steel models could fall into this category. I have one from Steve from Coal Creek Forge that I would identify with this group. It has a 22 inch haft and weighs only 17 ounces. VEC's hawks would be placed here. A great training dvd for this group of hawks is the Cold Steel dvd set. It really is well produced. Technically, if they are to be true tactical hawks, they should be near indestructible with a synthetic or steel haft - not a wood haft - but hey, Magua (of Last of the Mohicans fame) used a wooden haft hawk of this type quite effectively for most of the movie. This groups advantage is the reach of that haft. The Coal Creek Forge hawk is the one that sits on my bedside table. Generally, hawks in this group have more of a head heavy balance compared to the more neutral balance of hawks in groups one and two. Generally, hawks in this category cost less than hawks in categories one and two, but again, not always.
style wise thats the best looking tactical hawk I have ever seen, L O V E I T
