Hey BladeForums! This is my first post, and from all the research I've done in blades so far, it seems like a pretty great community! I'm building a sort of "EDC B.O.B." bag that is still lightweight, but could last a day or two. I have decided on the BK-22 over the BK-10 for my knife, but now I need an axe. I was thinking more along the tomahawk lines, as they are lighter, just not quite as choppy as a hatchet. I have narrowed it done to three Hawks so far. The Sog Specialty Knives F01TN-CP Tactical Tomahawk, the M48 Destroyer Tactical Tomahawk (Upgraded M48 with better steel compared to AUS6, although still cheap), or the Smith and Wesson SW671 Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk Hatchet with Kraton Overlay and Sheath. This again, is mainly for a lighter survival axe. Out of these which is better? Is there a better axe in this price range (0-80$)? Thanks for your opinions!
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Which Hawk to choose?
- Thread starter Ben W.
- Start date
For that amount of money I would probably go with a H&B forge camp hawk. Probably medium but you would need to decide what size is best for you. In particular I think that a hammer poll would serve better for w general tool that a spiked poll.
That said, of the ones you listed I don't have much experience so I can be of any particular help. Sorry!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That said, of the ones you listed I don't have much experience so I can be of any particular help. Sorry!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Riz!
Platinum Member
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- May 5, 2014
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Ide probably go with a cold steel trail hawk. Cheap, light, uselful, and customizable. Its gnna need to be sharpened though. Their stock edge is sort of lame though. I have a sog and its actually not bad.
For a little more a 2Hawks longhunter would be a good choice.
For a little more a 2Hawks longhunter would be a good choice.
Riz!
Platinum Member
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- May 5, 2014
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I also have a CRKT chogan. Its very heavy. Ide imagine a kangee is the same. Its more like an axe that is tyled to look like a hawk. To me a tomahawk should be light weight. You can find many different styles of hawk. I would say figure out what you want as far as blade shape and if you want a pick or a hammer poll and then start googling until you find something you like in your price/weight range. "Best" ir a relative term that may mean different things to different people.
Most people carry tomahawks because they're lighter to carry than an ax, and even some hatchets. However, a tomahawk can exert a lot of force due to a longer handle so you have light and powerful. I found the same thing Riz did. A CRKT Woods Kangee or Chogan is heavier at about the same weight as a small forest ax. As I remember, the Smith and Wesson SW671 Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk is also very heavy. I have a CS Trailhawk, and a Colt X-1 full tang spike tomahawk. I like them both and they are light and cheap. CS is 23oz, has a 22" handle and good steel. The particular model of Colt I bought has very good steel and is 14" long. The other nice thing about CS tomahawks is that the Trailhawk, Spike-hawk and Pipehawk all have slightly different weights to choose from. The Rifleman's-hawk is similar in weight to the CRKTs. I have no complaints, but if I were to do it over again I'd get a 17" H&B Forge. However, the CS is so cheap that I might just get another one and cut the handle to 17". Good luck
shortwinger
Gold Member
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I hate answering a question with a question but.... What is your plan for this hawk? It sounds like you are looking for an all around woodsman hawk but the models you listed are tactical breaching type hawks. These tactical hawks are made with steel, edges and bevels designed to deal with breaching concrete walls, vehicles, etc., but these same Hawks are not so good at woodsman tools.
By the same token, a woodsman hawk isn't usually the best choice for breaching because their softer steel, edge and bevel cannot handle cutting through car doors and concrete. There are some exceptions but generally speaking they are two different animals and picking the wrong one will just end up being 25-40 wasted ounces in your pack. There are lots of great choices in each category and I'm sure posters are going to give you their favorites.
I have little experience with the tactical variety but I like the twohawks Longhunter and Warbeast, Cold Steel Trail Hawk, and the Jack Hawk by Coal Creek Forge.
Good luck with your search.
By the same token, a woodsman hawk isn't usually the best choice for breaching because their softer steel, edge and bevel cannot handle cutting through car doors and concrete. There are some exceptions but generally speaking they are two different animals and picking the wrong one will just end up being 25-40 wasted ounces in your pack. There are lots of great choices in each category and I'm sure posters are going to give you their favorites.
I have little experience with the tactical variety but I like the twohawks Longhunter and Warbeast, Cold Steel Trail Hawk, and the Jack Hawk by Coal Creek Forge.
Good luck with your search.