Tomahawk instead of knife

[screened porch]

If you're dealing with small branches and brambles then I have to agree that a machete would be better.

If you're not dealing with the small stuff then yes you absolutely could. I firmly believe that a small belt axe like a hawk or a gb mini is an excellent 1 tool option. If taking in weight and size into account, I don't believe there's anything better. A machete will be longer and a knife that will chop as well will be heavier. Most guys look at them and dismiss them as toys but if you actually get out there and use one it's amazing what they can do. I've made a fajita dinner and carved trap triggers with a gb mini. Once you get the hand hold down it's almost as easy as a knife. Not quite but close enough for government work. Here's a small vaughn(~12 oz head) with an extended handle. (not my pic)

I just weighed my Vaughan- I think it was 10 oz including the handle. It is amazing what those little guys will do, but I can't see any reason to not take along a jackknife as well. (Is your pic from Old Jimbo?)

 

[cybrok]

I carry either a Keith Johnson French Hawk or a RD9 in the woods, part of a nessmuk trio that it.

 

[upnorth]

I used my Wetterlings hatchet a fair bit last winter and I just LOVE it. I sure wouldn't feel at a loss if I had to use it in a pinch for slicing. That thing gets scary sharp. I actually put it in another sheath with better coverage and I modified it for belt carry.

 

[Shotgun]

Would you choose a hawk over a hatchet?

For me it depends on the handle. A short handle of about less then 14 inches and I don't see any real reason to be able to remove it. The GB mini has about a 10-12" handle and I didn't find that it was in the way at all for knife tasks. If the handle is long then it may get in the way.

I just weighed my Vaughan- I think it was 10 oz including the handle. It is amazing what those little guys will do, but I can't see any reason to not take along a jackknife as well. (Is your pic from Old Jimbo?)

Yeah I've gotten away from the one tool idea. I usually carry a couple knives with me.

Yep. Old Jimbo's the man.

 

[Bollingern]

I view the tomahawk more as a weapon or breaching tool. Hard for me to see the utility as a camping/backwoods instrument. I would prefer a good hatchet or strong fixed blade.

 

[bbforstr]

The best thing where I live is a small folder for precise work and a decent double bit cruiser axe. The folder can be used for small things and the cruiser will handle almost anything else. I find hawks to be too light for effective chopping. A sharp cruiser will cut a 3" tree in one strike, ( you might have to push on it a little). The DB cruiser axe will handle chopping, splitting and some pretty fine hewing. It's light enough to wield with one hand and long enough to be effective with a two-handed swing.

We mostly have softwoods around here, but the DB cruiser axe will handle the toughest dead hardwoods around.

 

[Azcountryman]

If you're dealing with small branches and brambles then I have to agree that a machete would be better.

If you're not dealing with the small stuff then yes you absolutely could. I firmly believe that a small belt axe like a hawk or a gb mini is an excellent 1 tool option. If taking in weight and size into account, I don't believe there's anything better. A machete will be longer and a knife that will chop as well will be heavier. Most guys look at them and dismiss them as toys but if you actually get out there and use one it's amazing what they can do. I've made a fajita dinner and carved trap triggers with a gb mini. Once you get the hand hold down it's almost as easy as a knife. Not quite but close enough for government work. Here's a small vaughn(~12 oz head) with an extended handle. (not my pic)

Hmmmmmm splitting a tree with chunks of wood.......now this I have to try......Not sure where I can find a tree like that in Az though