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What are the advantages of a short handle tomahawk vs a long handle tomahawk?
- Thread starter Evian
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Short handle - CQC
Long handle- higher moment of inertia resulting in bigger impact/damage to the receiver.
Long handle- higher moment of inertia resulting in bigger impact/damage to the receiver.
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They both have their pros and cons. Just depends on the situation. If an attacker has grabbed you, I'd rather have the short handle. If he's 5 feet away, I'd rather have the long handle.
Sometimes you just don't have room to swing, the short handle is better at that moment. Each swing will have less power, as mentioned, but a swing from just the elbow and a flick of the wrist might be enough power.
There's a difference, IMO, between whats best for fighting vs. wood processing. I like shorter handles to practice self defense, I'm faster for the CQC, and there's less handle for the opponent to grab.
I'd love to own some Winkler Hawks, he seems to have a great sense of handle lengths. His fighters are shorter, and his camper is a bit longer, the way I'd like it.
Sometimes you just don't have room to swing, the short handle is better at that moment. Each swing will have less power, as mentioned, but a swing from just the elbow and a flick of the wrist might be enough power.
There's a difference, IMO, between whats best for fighting vs. wood processing. I like shorter handles to practice self defense, I'm faster for the CQC, and there's less handle for the opponent to grab.
I'd love to own some Winkler Hawks, he seems to have a great sense of handle lengths. His fighters are shorter, and his camper is a bit longer, the way I'd like it.
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The short handle is easier to carry concealed (ask EdWood7). In extreme CQB, the short handle will be easier to use, but I wouldn't go as short as some do.
For instance, I'd prefer the 18" RMJ Eagle Talon over most others (though I'd prefer the electrically-insulated handle on it like the Shrike has). Here's why: with the longer haft, I have the ability to get it going much faster and hit much harder (good for breaching kevlar, especially hard kevlar like a helmet) or breaching a block wall or such. In extreme CQB I have more choices as well. I can choke up to the top of the ET's handle to "make it shorter". Yes, some of the handle sticks out the bottom of my hand, but that improves balance, and if someone if coming up behind me, I have a nice, pointy piece of metal to shove in their face. The counternbalance of the weight out the end also helps the balance and enables faster movement than otherwise would be expected in a larger tool. With the hand choked up, I can make short chops (usually with the SPIKE end -- into the space between the collar bones, the head, eye socket, groin, etc), use the edge and sharp beard to hook and slice, etc. With the longer haft, I can also let the handle out in CQB to hook the enemy's knee and yank him off his feet without having to bend as far down myself.
I also have the choice of pairing it with a long knife (if you have an AR-style rifle or Mossberg 590 shotgun, the OKC35 bayonet is a dandy fighting knife). In this case, the hawk is primarily use to hook and drag the primary threat weapon of the enemy away from me, hooking arms and such to clear a path to stab with the knife, etc.
So, in short, the short haft makes it much easier to concealed carry, and has some advantages in CQB. The long haft gives you far more options, as well as being a superior tool in the woods (my non-tactical "woods hawks" range from 24-30" in length).
For instance, I'd prefer the 18" RMJ Eagle Talon over most others (though I'd prefer the electrically-insulated handle on it like the Shrike has). Here's why: with the longer haft, I have the ability to get it going much faster and hit much harder (good for breaching kevlar, especially hard kevlar like a helmet) or breaching a block wall or such. In extreme CQB I have more choices as well. I can choke up to the top of the ET's handle to "make it shorter". Yes, some of the handle sticks out the bottom of my hand, but that improves balance, and if someone if coming up behind me, I have a nice, pointy piece of metal to shove in their face. The counternbalance of the weight out the end also helps the balance and enables faster movement than otherwise would be expected in a larger tool. With the hand choked up, I can make short chops (usually with the SPIKE end -- into the space between the collar bones, the head, eye socket, groin, etc), use the edge and sharp beard to hook and slice, etc. With the longer haft, I can also let the handle out in CQB to hook the enemy's knee and yank him off his feet without having to bend as far down myself.
I also have the choice of pairing it with a long knife (if you have an AR-style rifle or Mossberg 590 shotgun, the OKC35 bayonet is a dandy fighting knife). In this case, the hawk is primarily use to hook and drag the primary threat weapon of the enemy away from me, hooking arms and such to clear a path to stab with the knife, etc.
So, in short, the short haft makes it much easier to concealed carry, and has some advantages in CQB. The long haft gives you far more options, as well as being a superior tool in the woods (my non-tactical "woods hawks" range from 24-30" in length).
You can choke up on a long handle if space was confined. You can also employ baton techniques with a long handle.
For wood working, I find having the option of using 2 hands to be nice for added control. One thing I don't like about a long handle is it becomes tail heavy when you hold at the head for fine carving.
For wood working, I find having the option of using 2 hands to be nice for added control. One thing I don't like about a long handle is it becomes tail heavy when you hold at the head for fine carving.
Last edited:
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Most people are less likely to load out with a large contact weapon daily in case they might need it.
If it's small enough for you to actually carry it, and therefor have it when you need it, then rock on.
Below is an example of how size can dictate placement and carry:
Shown on a chest rig.
If it's small enough for you to actually carry it, and therefor have it when you need it, then rock on.
Below is an example of how size can dictate placement and carry:
Shown on a chest rig.
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I like the wrap on that. :thumbup:
The overall answer to the question has been summed up pretty well already. I'm in the long handle crowd as I've got more woodsy needs.
The overall answer to the question has been summed up pretty well already. I'm in the long handle crowd as I've got more woodsy needs.
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- Aug 12, 2011
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What the brand and model of that blue one? Looks super slick...
@Jim D. - Sure, if you are a soldier smaller is better, no doubt. You have to haul a bunch of gear and in CQC you will most likely deploy the 'hawk with only one hand, since the other one is probably holding on to your primary weapon or sidearm.
I was speaking from a broader perspective, i.e. is it generally possible to effectively defend yourself with a long 'hawk. E.g. when you are attacked a BG at a fireplace along the trail or during a home-invasion scenario, and I think you can.
Ookami
I was speaking from a broader perspective, i.e. is it generally possible to effectively defend yourself with a long 'hawk. E.g. when you are attacked a BG at a fireplace along the trail or during a home-invasion scenario, and I think you can.
Ookami
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Hey,
That is the trainer (blue cord used to mark it as such) for the Tracker Dan Greymatter. It's an evolution from the same axe that the Sayoc/Winkler evolved from...just a different take on the same concept.
This is the live version with the double ridge wrap:
3/16" thick ATS34 (new models will be 154CM). Dan doesn't have a website yet, but if you want more info on it, you can shoot him an email at: TrackerDan@NorthernRed.com.
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- Dec 6, 2011
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Shorter handle makes a tomahawk much easier to carry. And it makes it easier to fight with in closed confined spaces It also makes it easier to use as a tool when you in a confined space like a downed air plane.
what hawk is the trooper using?
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Through my work in DEMA (rescue, firefighting etc.) I can really recommend paratech tools. Not as fast for peeling a car as hydraulic tools, but a lot more portable! 