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Which RMJ Tomahawk

J

Josifter

Joined
May 15, 2014
Messages
21
Hello Blade forums! I am new here and would like your help on choosing my next tomahawk. I have been looking at the RMJs and I have narrowed down my selection to two; kestrel feather or berserker. I am a hunter and outdoorsman and plan on using this hawk on my next deployment. I love the look of the berserker, i like how the handle is, i like the beard, and i like how it has the chisel instead of spike, but... I also like the idea of a light hawk (especially on my kit) and it seems the kestrel feather is designed a little more for a military purpose. Does anyone know what the berserker was originally designed for? I feel i cant justify spending the money on a berserker if the Kestrel feather is just plain more useful to me. Again i am new here and any imput is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Not a bad dilemma to be facing:cool:

It sounds like you already know what would serve you best. The Berserker looks like an awesome hawk, but at 2.5lbs, it's the last of the rmj lineup I'd want to lug around when there's cheaper, more useful alternatives at less than half the weight. I think the feather would also make a better hunting companion having IMO a more useful blade profile and being smaller/lightweight

Whatever you choose, I'm positive both would serve you well, with one maybe a little better geared toward what you be facing
 
ya for the price and deployment i think im going to go with the kestrel feather. Ill have to pick up a berserker later. Thanks for your help
 
Ya I realized that but for whatever reason i just dont really care for the shrike. I actually liked their loggerhead, but im pretty set on either a Kestrel/f or a berserker
 
Well with the Shrike out of the question I'd also recommend the Kestrel Feather over the awesome looking and heavy Berserker.
I think that the lighter weight won't hinder its performance for what you'll be using it for and that you'll appreciate it greatly wether lugging around the woods or some other S#>t hole part of the world.
 
The Berserker is F-ing heavy.
I had one and sold it. It just didn't feel right in hand, and the curve of the handle didn't work for me like I thought it would. With the weight high and the geometry wrong,it wasn't worth it.

It was designed after a custom Ryan made for Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics. IIRC the original wa a damascus with a wooden haft:
mg_7814.jpg


For your purposes, I would definitely take the Kestrel if the Shrike is out.
 
I would consider the loggerhead if your going for utility in the woods and FOB.
 
I'm going with the feather. I'm placing my order today. Does anyone know how much durability is lost from the original kestrel to the feather? I would hate to need it when I'm "down range" and wish I got the bigger hawk
 
And thank you everyone for your advice, makes this very difficult decision easier. I was about to piss off the wife and just get both
 
Josifter said:
I'm going with the feather. I'm placing my order today. Does anyone know how much durability is lost from the original kestrel to the feather? I would hate to need it when I'm "down range" and wish I got the bigger hawk
Click to expand...

You'll be GTG, don't let the name "Feather" fool you. The hawk is still extremely rugged, just much smooth to swing than the standard version if that makes sense. The Berserker's cool factor is undeniable:cool:, but it is almost the anti-thesis to the feather. It's much heavier, and more of a leave-at-camp ax, than take into the bush or on patrol 'hawk. I hope that helps... I'll try to get some side by side of the thickness to help put you at ease.

In the end, you made a great choice!:thumbup:
 
The kestrel is an excellent tool but the shrike is used by a lot of different type and include the military, police, wilderness SAR, hunters and bush wanders. I don't think you can go wrong with RMJ but the Berserker does seem to fit the role of wood tool but I have not had the chance to use one like the aforementioned two.
 
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