Tomahawks

Sufler

Sufler

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
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I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to Tomahawks. But, my interest his peaking and I started looking into them. I'm liking the LaGana Vietnam Tomahawk. I like it's price range too < $100.

Any recommendations? Any suggestions as to what to look for? Any opinions on the LaGana

Thanks!

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It depends on what you're looking for... a woods tool or a specialist breacher, or just a fun tool (nothing wrong with that!)

The La Gana Tactical in factory form is very obtuse so it has a strong edge, but not so great for chopping wood. If you just want to throw it or you plan on being a breacher then it's fine. It's also pretty short as far as hawks go - great if you're in cramped environments.

The SOG Tactical Hawk isn't as "strong" but it is longer overall and way cheaper - I'm very happy with mine and its proven to be durable enough. (Though I don't throw it.)

And if you're looking for a pure CQB tool, there's always the Emerson CQC-T hawk but the price is starting to climb.

For a mil-spec reasonably tough hawk with a synthetic handle, the La Gana Tactical is hard to match.
 
Be carefull, I was in the same position as you about two years ago. I now have a pile of hawks including 4 RMJs. :eek: IMO you can't beat the RMJ Shrike or Logger Head depending on if you're leaning towards bushcraft or entry/combat tool sort of stuff. The people at RMJ are also great folks and I have no problems giving them my money. There are many hawks for less money that will work similarly though so just enjoy looking and take the same precautions you would when buying knives. :):thumbup:
 
cold steel makes nice hawks for $30-$40.. good starters, lotta dif models to try. if you get into higher end hawks, devin price makes a few good models. craig barr sells good ones on ebay (but those always go sky high). i have one hammer pole hawk made by steve liley (coal creek forge) thats holding up good. i havent thrown the la gana. it is on the shorter end as far as hawks go.
 
I like the design of the CS Spike Hawk. Had a CS Vietnam Tomahawk for a good while, took it on deployments and kept it in my trunk when back home. Very tough, used it to take apart a tire's lug nut caps when stuck along a freeway...but the spike design gets stuck very easily..Spike Hawk has a much better one. I like curved heads also more than the straight Vietnam style as they both split things open well but curved will cut better with the rotation of an arm swing or throw.
 
What you are looking for is a Condor combat axe. Oh h*ll, now I have to get one.
 
I'd say go for the Lagana, it is well worth it. Also, I don't like SOG products all that much, but I like their tomahawks
 
Cold Steel has some great starting hawks for a very good price. My favorites are the Spike and Pipe hawks. RMJ is a good purchase as well. I need to get more of those.
 
What's the deal with RMJs? They seem ridiculously priced. If someone could explain the rationalization behind the pricing, I'd appreciate it. Also, what's the most "popular" model?

Thanks!
 
RMJ's are highly sought after. They are of exceptional quality as can be seen on the various videos out there dipicting them severing pieces of helicopters or cars or whatever. They would be haaapy to explain their process to you if you call them. I believe Richard is the name of the man who would be able to answer the most questions although, Kari, who usually answers the phone can address many of them as well. I have talked to them a couple times and they as another member said exteremely willing and helpful. I have the standard length shrike myself which is a forged product (not all of their stuff is) and the one carried by most military personel lucky enough to have one, but again I would call them. The shrike is not "intended" for throwing or as a weapon but more a breaching tool. I say if it cuts steel it fits the bill for all else. One video even shows one whacking a concrete barrier (not recomended) with little to know damage to the hawk. Carful though RMJ's are tough on the wallet if you get "the fever" and start wanting several models. I have only 1 as I am poor.
 
Sufler said:
What's the deal with RMJs? They seem ridiculously priced. If someone could explain the rationalization behind the pricing, I'd appreciate it. Also, what's the most "popular" model?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I purchased the Kestrel for my son, who is serving in the military. The reason I chose a RMJ ? It's forged,CNC machined and comes with a no B.S. life time warranty. It is a lightweight breeching tool that carries nicely. having some of the best equipment available gives his mother & I comfort.
My collection of hawks are what I consider High end - we get what we pay for.... Others may disagree and balk at the prices, So what. theirs and your choice to do so...
"popular?" Shrike.
Carry On!
J.
 
I would suggest you to decide what you want to use it for. If your price is <$100, you are pretty much limited to mass production hawks.
 
We haven't even started talking about Winkler hawks yet :)

If you're starting out, most guys go with one of the Cold Steel offerings. And as it is with knives, prices and cool factor significantly rise from there. Budgets and intended level of abuse rise significantly from there.

La Gana Tactical is a proven item, and can be modded/reground to a more woods or CQB edge if desired. Plenty tough and a pretty reasonable price. I'd buy another one if I wasn't as happy with my SOG Hawk. I do find them a little short (just under 14" OAL) whereas most Cold Steel hawks are now 18"-20". If you don't like it, its also pretty easy to resell.
 
I have a nice little collection of hawks going myself, as many of the guys that frequent this sub-forum. Like knives, many hawks have their intended purpose, sometimes they can skirt the lines. If you want a great hawk, IMO it will be a bit more specialized. This is where you have to start make a list of priorities.
What will you want to do with your hawk?
I've been pretty amazed at how tough my SOG Fasthawk is. I throw it all the time, at a dead tree no less. It's had a few small chips in the edge, I've expected that, but the handle has taken everything I have dished out. I wouldn't put my life on the line with this hawk. It needs a real edge, and the spike won't really puncture much at all. Besides, it's SS, and not very heavy. They put a wide edge on it so it can handle abuse.

If you wanted a traditional hawk, wooden handle, and to use it for camping type stuff, I'd look to Wolf Creek Forge or Coal Creek Forge to start with. Add just a little bit more money and you can get a real nice hawk.
 
Sufler said:
What's the deal with RMJs? They seem ridiculously priced. If someone could explain the rationalization behind the pricing, I'd appreciate it. Also, what's the most "popular" model?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I just got a Jenny Wren, and it's very nice. It's the sharpest hawk I've ever owned or seen. The main edge shaves hair, and the rear spike is a bit scary. Lots of spikes some to a point, but this one is two knife edges meeting up with a false edge above that! Consider the steel (and amount removed during CNC), the differential HT, the nice G-10 scales, the I-Beam CNC machined handle(and skeletonizing), the awesome Kydex sheath/shoulder strap, warranty, the color options, the weight/mass distribution and balance, research and development, and it's really not that expensive.
I've searched through many many hawks and most full tang hawks aren't skeletonized, to reduce weight in the handle. Omnivore/Self Reliance Tools, JK Knives, RMJ Tactical, and Winkler Knives 2 are about the only ones that do this. Dan Winkler also tapers the tang on his full tang hawks. Until you hold, swing, and use one of these hawks you can't really know the difference. It can really make a hawk come "alive" in hand, and feel like more of an extension of your arm, IMO.
 
Speaking of RMJ and "The Patriot", Ryan Johnson has made one of those...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/713825-Post-your-RMJ-hawks

If you want one for cheap, get a Cold Steel Pipe hawk and modify it yourself. If you do a quick search on the net, you'll find lots of options. I saw a head for about $29, put your own handle on, so some scroll work, and there you go.
But, if you think RMJ's are expensive, we won't talk about customs or Winklers.
 
foxx,

Thanks very much for your input. I think the LaGana Vietnam model has a couple of the features I'd like: non-wood handle and design that can be both a breaching tool as well as that "the Patriot" twist to it. I would also like it to be utilitarian enough to be used in the woods for basic "camp" chores.

Cold Steel's tomahawks are cool too, but for CS's "American Tomahawk Company" to be made in Taiwan or elsewhere is a :thumbdn:

Thanks!
 
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