Tomahawks, which is best for survival. Any thoughts, Pro and Con

[Joseph Loveland]

I have been looking at the Cold Steel line of Tomahawks and also at some re-enactment groups as to their time periods as well as the tomahawks in the 1700's. I have a Tomahawk that is a replica of the 1700 period and has a handle of about 18" or so. This looks a lot similar to the Norwegian (I hope I got that spelled right) for the edge is slightly tilted down and it hangs on my belt just fine. I've looked at the Viet Nam rea Tomakawk and do like the design, but this come with protective holster of some sort? Just don't know which one is best or which is really better than the other.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[bsmith_shoot]

For my uses, the CS trailhawk has been superb! Its super light, takes and holds a good edge, and chops better than most large knives. The utility of the hammer poll is great. Its a good little working hawk. Expect to do some work on it out of the box though.

 

[Joseph Loveland]

I see that yours has a protective sheath over the blade. Does this come equipped like this, or is this something ya added? I used ta do leatherwork years ago and used ta make my own holsters for handguns, knives, etc. I did look at the CS line on the net and since I own a SRK that would be my next move. I do have a Tomahawk of 1700's vintage reproduction and it's nice but ain't no CS. I did read a Review on CS about the Trailhawk by a fellow that throws them as a professional and speaks very highly of them.
That will be my next purchase as soon as I can get the money up. Now, maybe ya can answer a question for me......The handle I have on this 1700's Hawk is loose and I've read that ya can soak it in water and it'll swell up a bit allowing the head ta grab better. What is better, soaking or just tapping the handle to fit tight and then drill a hole and press in a hardened bar or set a screw in place? Or if I used Linseed oil, would that swell the wood up enough to keep the hawk head in place from sliding up and down the handle?

 

[Grease]

'Hawk heads aren't like normal axe heads. They're meant to come off if you want at a moments notice. Is yours loose like it won't even stay on the handle, or loose like you can make it come off? Because unless it's falling off during use, it's probably working as intended.

If it's too loose, you could just buy a new handle - they aren't expensive, and then you can practice some handle mods on the old one and copy whatever goes right onto the new one.


Another option, if you have room on the handle, is sanding above where it currently sits so that it'll have a snug fit a bit higher up the handle.

 

[Metal Made Fox]

Ditch the Cold Steel and get yourself a real hawk. Get an RMJ or ATC VTAC. Yes, the VTAC comes with a nylon sheath too.

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I'd say pass on Cold steel and get an awesome tool that will last you a lifetime from one of the makers here on the forum or from a high end production maker like swamp rat or RMJ. Wolf creek forge, storm crow, BenR.T, and myself all make hawks of various styles.

But then again Im a knifemaker so I'm biased

Either way you should check out the axe, hawk, and hatchet forum here if you havent already.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/768-Axe-Tomahawk-amp-Hatchet-Forum

 

[Hammer67]

X 3 on looking beyond CS. For not much more $, you can get a much better product from Ragweed Forge (and that's actually made domestically):

Or, if your budget allows even more than that, the other recommendations above are good ones too.

 

[ishiyumisan]

The one that you like the most, it's your best Survival Tomahawk. 'm happy with those:thumbup: