Thinking about getting a GG&G Battle Hawk

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Jun 20, 2012
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I may get a GG&G Battle Hawk next month some time. Anyone have experience with them?
BattleHawk-black-3-pos.jpg
 
Never used their battle hawk but, if its anything like their benelli charging handle its a peice of crap!!! The heat treat sucks!!! I bought two of them use them once! Literally "once"! One on my M1super90 and the other on a M4super90 both bent after one use. One bent so much it almost rubbed my reciever. Then one of the charging handles popped out of the bolt while firing... That can't be good:eek: I have played with the GG&G battle hawk at a local retailer handle feels like crap not ergonomic what so ever:thumbdn: other than having the cool factor of being 1/2inch thick, there was nothing wow about it...Looks like they just made it look cool to sell a over priced quasi useful entry tool check these out.

http://sayocwinklerhawk.com/
http://www.americankami.com/axe.html
http://selfrelianceessentials.com/2011/02/jackal-tomahawk/
http://www.szaboinc.com/edged_detail.asp?offset=55&ID=58
 
I hope not. I don't think it'll bend though, since it's so thick (other than the blade edge of course). I also looked at the CQCT Emerson, but I'm not so sure it's a good tomahawk for throwing.
The rings on the handle also need replacing from time to time which COULD be a potential issue.
 
They are SUPER heavy and very thick. More like a breaching tool than your typical tomahawk. They look cool though...
 
I own one, and it's a stout sucker. It will NEVER chop wood, it will break wood. It won't bend, you're not stong enough, you can use it as a anchor to wench your truck up a hill. They do it in the DVD that comes with the BH.
I've thrown mine, but the only thing you'll hurt is your elbow, it's not for throwing, unless you're Thor! The handle is made well, in that the G-10 has been done well, lines up with the steel very well. But, since it's so heavy, and the G-10 is textured, you better plan on wearing gloves. IMO, the handle isn't that ergonomic, it's not the best handle design.
The edge, there really is not an edge, it won't cut you, you don't really need an edge when it weights 44oz. I've still managed to throw chunks of wood, break fence posts(after a while) and it will cut right through sheet steel. I punched holes into a steel chair with just it's weight, not much strength involved.
That big ass hole in the head could be problematic when breaching, it can/will get hung up and slow you down.

Now, the spike, it's awesome, it sinks deep, and then you can just rip/pry it out, don't worry it won't break the spike. That same steel chair has lots of puncture holes in it as well, the spike sinks in and the wedge below it helps it just bounce right back out. You could sink many holes, one after another.
The sheath, on mine at least, is a Buy Brown. No descripton anywhere says that, but on the back it has a BB, and it's a very well made kydex sheath. The straps are very heavy duty rubber, with fabric inside them.

Pros...
weight, has lots of momentum
S7, the HT makes for a very tough tool. Concrete will gouge the "edge", but that steel chair has done nothing to it.
SPIKE is it's best feature

Cons...
weight, has lots of momentum, hard to start up and stop. Go swing a 3 lbs sledge hammer around and you'll get an idea.
hole in the head, could get hung up, will get hung up at some point.
g-10 is very textured, good when wearing gloves.

The beast thing I've got from owning this, is when I use it for "sparring" against a swinging log. Doing my exercises with this hawk has built endurance and strength. It makes other, normal weight, hawks seem very fast and controlable. Then again, maybe I could have found a much cheaper hammer to use for practice, and saved lots of money. Would I buy it again, probably not. That $200 could go to a better designed and better made hawk, or even less could buy you a wooden handled/traditional hawk or even a great axe.
I bet that any RMJ could breach a wooden door much faster, because those can chop, and remove chunks of wood. An RMJ's sharpened beard will continue to help cut that steel when removing the head, can opener style. Where the GG&G will just get hung up, and have to be removed and then you can start cutting again.
For a little bit more money you could also get the Benchmade Hawk, it's a breacher, if that's what you need.
 
Yes, the Benchmade is another good choice. Maybe I'll get that. What about the CQCT though? Oh, and isn't the Benchmade actually made by K5?
 
I wouldn't let those rubber O-rings be an issue. I've seen lot's of O-rings at hobby stores, very cheap as well. Otherwise, the CQCT looks like a good hawk, I've just never handled it. Keep in mind, 16oz is very, very light.. that means speed for attack, but with less mass behind it. Seems better for fighting than breaching.
The Benchmade looks like a copy of a K5 Spike tomahawk, which has been discontinued last time I looked. Those K5's are also made from S7, very tough, jackhammer steel!

It's hard to know from internet pics and descriptions as to what the edge of all these hawks are like. The GG&G has no edge, it's just a wedge. That Benchmade is also very obtuse, but still thinner than the GG&G, it's a heavy breaching axe, not a fighter.
The CQC has a description of a fighting hawk, it's a different hawk all together than the others you mention. You just can't compare a tank like the GG&G to a lightweight fighter like the CQC.
Keep in mind, the SOG Fasthawk weights 18oz, and so does the RMJ Jenny Wren. The Emerson CQC will have a lightweight handle, all the mass is in the head, a good thing. The GG&G has a very stout, but heavy handle, the whole thing is heavy, the hawk is still head heavy, but not like a fast fighting hawk. Maybe go hold a SOG Fasthawk to get an idea of the weight. But, the SOG is not a sharp edged fighting hawk. I have to swing very hard to chop my swinging fence post. A thinner edge would bite deeper. A lightweight hawk will rely on it's cutting edge/spike to cut, sever, or chop. While the GG&G just needs to get up to speed to apply it's mass and crush whatever it hits, and it hits very hard. Two very different hawks.
 
What you've said about the GG&G kind of makes me not want it. It's 3 pounds. Not exactly good for throwing.
And look here:
ed-killian-benchmade-axe-b.jpg

This is the opposite side of the Benchmade hawk. As you can see, it says K5 on it, so is it ACTUALLY made by K5? I've already got a SOG tomahawk, the regular one, not the fasthawk, so I still have an idea how light it is.
 
IMO, full tang hawks aren't meant for throwing. My Jenny Wren is just too expensive to be throwing, it's got a very nice edge, and the spike's tip is like two knife edges that come together, very sharp.
I can go throw my Fasthawk, it's way cheaper and the edges are more robust. Buy a CS hawk, a replacment handle or two, and go throw it all day long, for cheap.

A real fighting hawk would not be thrown in a fight, why throw away your weapon? They do it in the movies, but that's where that fantasy ends. If you want a fighting or breaching hawk, I would not consider throwing it a high priority, nor would it be of any real use, just expensive fun. Fun that can cost way less, and save your better hawks and their edges.
Besides, rubber rings, curved handles, fawn's foots, grippy handles, etc. are not good for throwing hawks, you want smooth, straight, easy release handles. I will say though, S7 is a very tough steel, you wouldn't damage, nor break, a K5, benchmade, or a GG&G by throwing them, but you may hurt your elbow.
 
I agree about not throwing your weapon away. I expressed the same sentiments in a thread about the VTAC. I've been looking at the QCQ for awhile now and I soon might pull the trigger. I had a Bencmade Killian at one time and it's definitely a breeching tool.
 
Another question of mine is: Is 1095 steel a good steel for a tomahawk? I've got a CS Trench Hawk, but never abused it.
 
If you are looking expressly for a thrower get an Estwing hatchet and have the forward edge reworked. We have a shop full of tomahawks (ours and others) and the only hawk that out throws the Estwing is the Jenny Wren.
The Benchmade hawk is made by Benchmade. The K5 logo is there because he is credited for the design.
I love throwing hawks but I look at it strictly as a fun skill - not a combative skill. A good way to blow off steam after a long day...fun and mind clearing.
As for the lighter hawks - Foxx is correct in saying not to discount them. The longer I work at this the more I am discovering that there is certainly a sweet spot weight wise for hawks - you will never make them heavy enough to do the major league breaching that a sledge or hoolie bar will do. (or det cord for you high speed guys) The goal then is to make a compact light tool that will do at least 50% of the breaching that one comes across. (doors, rake and break windows, pad locks, simple walls, etc.) that can be carried easily affording the responder/LE/Mil forward movement without waiting on a breacher.
 
The Benchmade hawk isn't made by K5, I think Killian sold the license to Benchmade. Good thing too, he's a poor businessman. Took me a month to get the hammer poll from him. He's too wrapped up in his Khyber Tactical site. And I don't think the K5 hawks are made of S7, Foxx. I think killian made them out of 1060. Benchmade made theirs from 1095.

I have a GG&G hawk. Lots of fun to destroy stuff with. Heavy as hell. Would definitely make short work of an intruder. Just don't miss, u may not have enough time to follow up. And I'd rather have an RMJ over a Winkler. Better as a fighter and a breacher IMHO. Winkler's too damn expensive. And if u ask me, the back spike is too short to be of much use on the curved handle models. The straight handle model is good with the spike.
 
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I don't know anything about the GG&G hawk but it looks kind of gimmicky. It may be very robust and break things well, but so do other things that are much cheaper.

I just got an actual K5 spike hawk and have been playing with it. It's 2lbs 9oz.
The only reason I throw it is to get used to how it handles and to make my arm hurt...
I'm still a bit sore from the vehicle demo yesterday.
 
The Benchmade hawk isn't made by K5, I think Killian sold the license to Benchmade. Good thing too, he's a poor businessman. Took me a month to get the hammer poll from him. He's too wrapped up in his Khyber Tactical site. And I don't think the K5 hawks are made of S7, Foxx. I think killian made them out of 1060. Benchmade made theirs from 1095.

I have a GG&G hawk. Lots of fun to destroy stuff with. Heavy as hell. Would definitely make short work of an intruder. Just don't miss, u may not have enough time to follow up. And I'd rather have an RMJ over a Winkler. Better as a fighter and a breacher IMHO. Winkler's too damn expensive. And if u ask me, the back spike is too short to be of much use on the curved handle models. The straight handle model is good with the spike.
I personally feel that the design of RMJ's tomahawks makes a good general use tomahawk. I still don't know whether or not to get a Benchmade tomahawk or the GG&G. I decided I won't throw either, as I have lighter, more easily replaceable tomahawks such as my CS Trench Hawk and SOG tomahawk for that stuff. What if I wanted to sharpen it though? The problem I see with the GG&G is it's tanto-like head. It would take extra effort to make sharp.
 
Just get a Kangee. If you want to throw it and stuff that would be way better and cheaper. The Kershaw Siege is out too but I don't see it as much of a thrower. It is definitely a chopper, like knife sharp. Surprised me quite a bit. It's 50+/- depending where you get it. If you want a breacher then get the Condor TRT. It is like 57$ and the RMJ designed Kangee is 90+$. I saved you some money. :) If you want the Battle hawk get it later maybe unless you really just want one. 3 for the price of one or just a Battlehawk. I think I would get 3 myself. It is your money though so do what makes you happy.
 
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