What is a good lenght for tomahawk shaft?

[Cronx210]

I got a CS pipehawk and want to mod the shaft because it feels a bit too long to be compact, what is a good length? or should i just leave it long to gain momentum when chopping?

 

[BearKinder]

As heavy as the Pipe Hawk is, I wouldn't go any less than the supplied 22". Then I had mine, I fitted it with a CS War Hammer 30" haft and sawed it off an inch at a time until it felt right to me. I think I ended up at 26" or so.

 

[FAL'ER]

I think they come around 19" , I added about 5 or 6 inches to my trail hawk. I think for a weapon you get more reach out of it that way, it's mostly a woods tool though so I don't remember my reasoning behind it.

 

[Cronx210]

Yep the shaft it came with is 22 inches. I guess it's just personal preferance huh?, i only ask cause i've yet to take mine to the woods!

 

[Cronx210]

I also feel like the shaft is kind of lacking in something, does anyone soak they're tomahawk handles in any oils? or pant them? or fire harden?

 

[Shotgun]

I also feel like the shaft is kind of lacking in something, does anyone soak they're tomahawk handles in any oils? or pant them? or fire harden?

Give it a bunch of coats of boiled linseed oil. As far as length, mine is 19 and I'm looking to lengthen it to 24 or so. The reason being is it makes it easier to limb a tree when you don't have to bend over so much.

Hey bearkinder, do you have to mod the warhammer haft much to get it to fit? I'd like to try a super long haft.

 

[BearKinder]

I also feel like the shaft is kind of lacking in something, does anyone soak they're tomahawk handles in any oils? or pant them? or fire harden?

Sand the varnis or whatever it is off of it. Some guys do woodburning designs, a couple have carved them. Look in the "modding the Trail Hawk" sticky, there's a lot of modded hafts in there. Once your design is done, do several coats of boiled linseed or tung oil. You can even do a beeswax finish if you want.

Hey bearkinder, do you have to mod the warhammer haft much to get it to fit? I'd like to try a super long haft.

I didn't. Just sanded it, oiled it, and it went right on.

I remember reading here that someone did it with their Norse Hawks and it was narrower than the eye such that it didn't fully seat until it got nearly to the top. I wonder if that's just a thing with the Norse hawks, as I've not had problems with the other CS hawk heads I had.

 

[Pipeman]

I like the new 22 inch haft that comes with the CS hawks but I just throw them and do the odd limbing job. I dye all my hafts to match the sheaths I make for them and usually oil them with linseed a couple of times after the leather dye drys.

Regards

Robin

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[GUN SNOB]

IMHO

Head shape and weight will affect what 'FEELS' right for you.

Start with a longer handle than you think you want and chop with it. Choke up until you find a spot that works for you. Cut wood, air, what ever you want or can. I like to take it to a post (pell) and try different angles. This will get you close to what you will like. Cut it a little long the first time, it's hard to cut it longer if you want an extra inch or two.

I have a hawk with a 26 inch handle that I use 20-21 inches of single handed but the other 5-6 inches work well with 2 hands or when that extra bit of reach comes in handy.

Less than the 19 inch (standard hawk handle) and they lose a lot of working momentum.

IMHO

 

[Cronx210]

thanks for the input fellas!

 

[Wolf_1989]

I remember reading here that someone did it with their Norse Hawks and it was narrower than the eye such that it didn't fully seat until it got nearly to the top. I wonder if that's just a thing with the Norse hawks, as I've not had problems with the other CS hawk heads I had.

That would be me.

Something I've noticed - the new line up of CS tomahawks seem to have different geometry inside the eye. The taper is much more 'subtle' for lack of a better word. IMO this is an improvement as it seems to help the friction fit.

The Norse Hawk is one of the original models CS made and has the older 'drastic' taper.

 

[Handyman163]

I used my pipehawk heavily the last couple of days, and evaluated handle length thinking I was going to shorten the stock 22" handle to make it carry easier. I found that I loved having the full 22" length when chopping and limbing. I choked up for doing fine up-close stuff, but found myself staying about 2-3" from the bottom most of the time, and all the way to the bottom to limb something near the ground without bending over much.

I run a loop of paracord around my belt to carry the hawk higher up than a standard hammer-loop on a pair of work pants. You can run through the paracord and through a hammer loop, and it won't swing around at all - that works really well.

I say it's up to you, but 22" works well for me - it gives use options, but it's up you you and what you want to do with it.

 

[bearhunter]

i have to say that i think 19-20" is about right for the TH. or any other hawk IMO.
their not really meant to chop down trees or provide a nights firewood. they are for small chores and as a weapon. i think a longer handle makes it a less efficent tool as to it's design and true purpose.
if i'm in the backcountry i'll have a larger axe such as the forest axe. or maybe no axe at all and just a backable buck saw.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Try a longer haft, and grip it about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom, and then see if you don't like a longer haft.

No offense guys, but when someone says a hawk isn't meant for serious work and is just for light chores and weapon use, I have to wonder if you've really used one, or if you're repeating something you were told.

I think part of the problem is all the YouTube videos showing guys trying to use a tomahawk as an axe and it looks inefficient -- and it is. It's not an axe and carries its own skillset. If you aren't willing to learn to use a hawk, then you're better off with an axe -- but it's not the 'hawk's fault.

 

[Triq]

No offense guys, but when someone says a hawk isn't meant for serious work and is just for light chores and weapon use, I have to wonder if you've really used one, or if you're repeating something you were told.

I think part of the problem is all the YouTube videos showing guys trying to use a tomahawk as an axe and it looks inefficient -- and it is. It's not an axe and carries its own skillset. If you aren't willing to learn to use a hawk, then you're better off with an axe -- but it's not the 'hawk's fault.

Not to hijack but; I'm new to hawks, where can one pick up the skillset?

 

[Drummertist]

I think part of the problem is all the YouTube videos showing guys trying to use a tomahawk as an axe and it looks inefficient -- and it is. It's not an axe and carries its own skillset. If you aren't willing to learn to use a hawk, then you're better off with an axe -- but it's not the 'hawk's fault.

Agreed. On the other side of the coin some people think it's "just a weapon". My trail hawk is a fantastic tool and I find new uses for it everyday (especially since the head comes off).

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Not to hijack but; I'm new to hawks, where can one pick up the skillset?

Well, by reading posts here from those who use them, for one.

If you want a good start, search for threads started by Vector001 in this forum. Hes often talking about the hawks he modifies, but most of them are based on the Trail Hawk, and the methods work for any light hawk. The heavier the hawk, the more axe-like it will perform.

Bottom line is: hawks work by speed, not mass. There's a two ways to get speed: swing harder and use a longer haft. Swinging harder, especially for new users can lead to wild swings, wild swings are where guys get hurt. You should also not have a rigid wrist, but rather "snap" the cut. That last little snap of the wrist just before impact adds a lot of speed for a little effort.

Also realize, like our esteemed Vector says: hawks peck, they don't chop. Meaning you'll tend to get thin, deep chips, rather than wide, shallower chips of an axe or machete. Hawks work fine, but you have to learn how they work, and use that to your advantage. Step one in using a hawk: be smarter than the hawk.

Also if you want to get into weaponized use (the axe, of which the tomahawk is a subset, is probably man's third oldest weapon, following the club and knife. There's some guys into Eskrima near me that like to use light headed hawks (like the Trail Hawk with the poll lopped off) in lieu of their kali sticks), the longer haft will quickly shine in the weapon role.