tomahawk recommendations

R

rifon2

Joined
Oct 9, 2005
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Just read somewhere that hawks are being used more and more regularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And it seems a lot of folks keep them close by (next to the bed, etc.) at home for possible SD situations.

I want to get a hawk, But not the CS Vietnam version.

Any other recommendations? Like maybe one of the other Cold Steels?
I think I'd like a poll that can be used realistically as a hammer, rather
than a spike.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

(&BTW guys I'm looking to keep this one under a hundred bucks.)
 
American Tomahawk's VTAC.

Or one of CS's traditional hawks, they are WAY better than their "Vietnam" "tomahawk" (don't get me started!).

Their heads like to come off easily in a bad throw, but for most good throws and any chopping, they'll be sturdy enough. The beefy handles are nice, too. But if you can afford it, get the VTAC.

Take care.
 
Madmanamus said:
American Tomahawk's VTAC.

Or one of CS's traditional hawks, they are WAY better than their "Vietnam" "tomahawk" (don't get me started!).

Their heads like to come off easily in a bad throw, but for most good throws and any chopping, they'll be sturdy enough. The beefy handles are nice, too. But if you can afford it, get the VTAC.

Take care.
Click to expand...

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum and trawled through the old threats but couldn't find anything on the Cold Steel Vietnam Hawks. Care to vent? I'm sure the newbies would find your review informative. :-)

Are the Cold Steel Trail hawk and Rifleman's hawk any good? I intend to use them as a utility tool, attached to my molle vest which already comes with a Ontario ASEK knife and strap cutter. (((Oops.... just trawled waaaay back and some of the answers are found there.... My apologies. )))

And yes, the VTAC is something on my wish list.

What about hawks from this site?

http://www.fortturner.com/store/index.htm
 
I have a half dozen Fort Turner hawks for throwing and utility. I have one packed with my tent camping gear and another in my cabin up north. One sits on my workbench here at home just to be handy. I'm impressed with these tools. Very well made and very reasonably priced. I've destroyed a CS trailhawk doing things a FT hawk could do day in and day out for the rest of my life.
 
I have seen the VTAC on "E" bay for under $100. But not to often.
For size, weight and durability its the one to get..
 
Hello DeerPark,

I do own a Rifleman's Hawk, and I can vouch for its sturdiness. But it is a bit of a beast with a two pound head. I tend to carry and use a lighter Frontier-style no-name hawk for my woodland needs most of the time (it was made in India, but it has the best haft/head weld I've ever seen on a wood/steel hawk). I like the Trail Hawk, though I don't own one. But for general purpose I'd choose a lighter hawk--quicker in the hand and easier to lug around.

No experience with Fort Turner hawks, but that Iroquois hawk might change that, lol.

I'll go ahead and recount my CS 'Nam "hawk" experience, so if anyone would rather not read some CS bashing, look away.

I've read of a few forum members here who like their VTs, so maybe there are some quality control problems, I dunno. After mine arrived I took it out to give it a test run. A few easy throws, then some chopping. *Crunch* The handle broke just under the head. I later rehandled it onto a different haft three different times, using steel wedges, epoxy, and both, and it still broke in the same place during light usage. The eye is too small, and so doesn't allow enough handle material to support the pressure that a hawk's head/handle attachment must endure.

I'd also describe the head itself as an homogenous blob with an appaling edge. The Olive Drab coating did stand up well, mainly because it never had the opportunity to wear off. The leather sheath is nice, but is really too tight for any sort of quick, one-hand draw. My advice to anyone considering this hawk is to stop considering it. There are better choices out there, and quite a few are much cheaper, too.

Well, I'm done for now. If I can help any, lemme know.

Take care.
 
Hi Madmanamus,
Thanks for the field report. I found it useful but, like you said, it could've been due to a QC issue.

This bit might be off topic.... what's the best discussion thread to ask about how one goes about attaching a Brit Fairbairn Sykes Commando knife onto a load bearing vest?

I just got one through the mail and it looks great but let's just say the Second World War style sheath isn't Molle compatible. :D

I'm also not about to sew it onto my coveralls... can't even if I wanted to as all I have is needle and thread.....

My regular knife is an Ontario ASEK and I reckon the most useful bit is the strap cutter.
 
Greetings,

My best idea for attaching the Fairbairn to a MOLLE platform would be to lace 550 cord through the belt slot and tabs on the sheath body. Bear with me and I'll try to describe it. It's simpler than I'll make it sound.

Take about 1.5 - 2 feet of cord, stick one end through the belt slot on either side's opening as high as it will go, then even out the loose ends sticking through the back of the sheath. Then apply some tape just below the cord, going all the way round the sheath, kinda sealing the belt slot closed and preventing the cord from sliding down.

Next, pass each end of the cord through the bottom part of the slot, then to the sew tabs on the sheath body (you might have to punch or cut a small slot into the tabs to pass the cord through), keeping the cord running parallel down the back of the sheath on either side.

Once you have your lacing pattern figured out, just lace it through the appropriate section of MOLLE real estate, tie the ends together, and tape them down to the tip of the sheath (which would cut down on any clattering from the metal tip contacting other gear or surroundings).

Or, you could get a Kydex/Concealex sheath made with eyelets down either side for a similar (and easier) 550 cord lace-job.

Hope that was helpful, and not too confusing. You could also ask around here: http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums

They have a Second Line Gear, and Tactical Knives section. Lots of Geardos, and they might have a few ideas.

Once again, hope it helps.

Take care.
 
OK so there's the VTAC...

I'll stay away from the Cold Steel hawks, I've read enough here

The hawk made in India sounds interesting, Ragweed Forge says they're
great value, but he's away for a couple of weeks according to his site.

At this point, looks like I'll be getting a Fort Turner.

THANKS for the info everyone.
 
I just emailed them asking if the Trapper has a useful hammer.
(I'm kind of guessing it's called a poll.)

If it doesn't, I'll get the Camp version.

It looks terrific, and only $54. shipped.

Bargain, IMO.
 
rifon2 said:
OK so there's the VTAC...

I'll stay away from the Cold Steel hawks, I've read enough here.
Click to expand...

Cold Steel makes a decent hawk for the money. With a little effort, you can have a very nice and efficient tool. CS gets slammed a lot but here's an all Cold Steel combo that would serve you well in most any situation.

cs_combo.jpg
 
hatchetjack said:
Cold Steel makes a decent hawk for the money. With a little effort, you can have a very nice and efficient tool. CS gets slammed a lot but here's an all Cold Steel combo that would serve you well in most any situation.

cs_combo.jpg
Click to expand...

I don't have an issue with the Cold Steel hawks, at their price point
they look like a reasonable value,

It's just that Fort Turner is selling what is essentially a custom
for only a little bit more.

______________________

Nice pic BTW
 
I have a Cold Steel Norse Hawk and it is excellent for the price as are all the other regular hawks, but if you want the "Vietnam" style hawk get the ATC VTAC
 
CS has some good products and some stinkers but the ratio has been getting stinker heavy more and more. My Carbon V Tru Flight is one of my favorite knives ever and like many CS products including the hawks responds very well to customization. If you like to tinker and work on your knives a basic CS hawk will make a good basis for a project. I am looking for a cheap used one myself.
But if you don't want to be bothered get the Fort Turner.
 
Madmanamus said:
Words of Wisdom.

And hatchetjack, I always loved your work on those CS hawks. :thumbup:

Take care.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the kind words. The point I was trying to make is that there are alternatives to fit budgets and that I found the CS Frontier and Trailhawks to be just fine. In fact they can be a fun weekend project to fix up and improve upon. Sometimes it's nice to modify something out of the box and put some personal touches on it.

BTW, the Ft. Turner Camp Hawk has adecent hammer poll for banging stakes and such.

Someone asked about the above mentioned hawks and I was merely adding my experience with the tools. After all, how many of us realistically will be staking our lives on these tools?

Most of us are on a weekend camping trip with an SUV not parked more than 50 feet away. The Corps of Discovery travelled 2 years armed with flintlocks, a carbon steel fixed blade and a forged tomahawk and made it to the west coast and back with only one member lost and that was from illness. No VTACS, or Busse's and they somehow survived.

Yes, I do own a VTAC and Ft. Turner 'hawks and frankly, I don't see a whole lot of difference between those and my cheap throwing hawks from Crazy Crow when it comes to splitting firewood. The VTAC is not something I'd use often as a bush tool. I do agree to steer clear of the Cold Steel Vietnam 'hawk. It's that handle issue thing.

In my larder, I would feel secure with any of the tools I own. Could be a Becker, Ranger, Sebenza or an Old Timer slipjoint. I just think we tend to jump to the "stake your life" position once someone mentions something economical or being made better with a little elbow grease. So for the sake of staking my life, maybe this pair is acceptable.

rd_vtac001.jpg
 
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