Why are Cold Steel Hawks so cheap?

G

Glenn Jones

Joined
Feb 26, 2002
Messages
618
I feel somewhat silly asking this question but can perhaps justify it by pleading innocence as a relatively new hawk advocate. But if all you are after is an everyday practical tool then you can buy multiple cold steel hawks for the price of one custom hawk. As far as I can see the Cold Steel hawks are quite capable of getting the job done. I recently purchased a Cold Steel Trail Hawk and a Cold Steel Poll Hawk. They seem well balanced in the hand and the long Poll Hawk haft gives a lot of variety in how it can be used. I used these hawks to splinter Ironbark (a very tough Australian hardwood) for kindling for the wood stove. I found that the Trail Hawk was too light for the hardwood but the Poll Hawk was excellent, especially when using the longer haft two handed. Both carried easily on my belt holster.

On the basis of this I have just bought a Cold Steel Spike Hawk and a Frontier Hawk and look forward to testing them when they arrive. But why are these so cheap? I know their steel is softer than some other hawks. As I see it that has the advantage that would appear to make them easier to sharpen and the disadvantage that you probably need to sharpen them more often. That doesn't seem to be a major problem to me. And if I had an expensive custom, I might be afraid to use it. So to modify my question, why would one buy a custom hawk if your intention is to use the hawk as an everyday tool?
 
They use 1055 steel. Not that this is bad, it certainly won't get as hard as 1095, or other tool steels, but it is easy to work and has good shock resistance. Good for a striking tool. 10xx series steel is also very inexpensive compared to even common tool steels such as O1 or A2.

They outsource the head production to Taiwan yielding a cheaper labor cost.
They order in large numbers, further reducing the per unit price.

They put no real work into fit or finish. The finish is paint over a very rough metal finish, the inside of the eye usually has some pretty large burrs inside.

All of this adds up to a less expensive product.
 
Why are they cheap? Made in Taiwan.

I would rather pay 50$ for an allan foundry hawk than get two cold steel hawks, the paint they put on them is ugly, quality control is often sketchy and those holes with the pins in the head is a complete turn off for me.
 
Stigma: a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation. IMO "Made in Taiwan" does not carry the stigma it once did (as did "Made in Japan.") No one accuses the Japanese of shoddy manufacturing anymore...and the Taiwanese are right there with the Japs.

I believe they have a low price point (I wouldn't term them "cheap") because of mass production. However...and as others have mentioned...nothing beats a hand forged hawk by a master smith.
 
I didn't mean to imply that the Taiwanese had shoddy manufacturing, just what Cpl punishment said, it's cheaper labor at the cost of quality control.
 
Am I missing something......or does CS make a poll hawk that I don't know about? And if so where can I find a picture?
 
I think that since he mentioned the longer haft on the "poll hawk" he's talking about the (non functional) pipe hawk.
 
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Cold steel doesn't make a non functional pipe do they?
 
The pipe is non functional on that one. It's a pipe bowl looking hammer poll.

IMO far more useful and just as good looking as a functional pipe.
 
Another reason for the CS hawks being cheap is all the labor they save with the head/handle fit. By fixing the head with the set screw they cut corners.

However, I am willing to invest some time in improving the fit myself, if the hawks can be had that cheaply.

Also, the question has been asked numerous times on several forums when it comes to knives. There are those who prefer production knives for their price point and those who won't touch a knife that has been produced by a machine.


Ookami
 
JMO but I would be willing to pay an additional $10 for a CS hawk if that meant greatly improved QC.

When you get a really good CS hawk, it's awesome, but when you get a bad one, it's really bad.

I'd like to be able to rely on getting a good one, every time.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The pipe is non functional on that one. It's a pipe bowl looking hammer poll.

IMO far more useful and just as good looking as a functional pipe.
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Haha yeah I meant that they don't make a functional smoking pipe. I love the look of pipe hawks but I don't smoke so I'd rather have the hammer.
 
Kenny H. said:
Haha yeah I meant that they don't make a functional smoking pipe. I love the look of pipe hawks but I don't smoke so I'd rather have the hammer.
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You could go all out and just get a war hammer. It's my favorite piece from Cold Steel.
 
Thankyou all for your replies. You have answered my question. I must apologize, I did get my terminology mixed up, it is the Pipe Hawk as in Kenny H's photo that I have been using. I should add that your replies have quirked my interest and I am at the moment talking to Justin from Ranger Knives about buying a Renegade Hawk with a longer haft for a comparison. I am afraid I have been infected by the Hawk virus and it is costing me quite a lot of money.
 
Glenn Jones said:
...I am afraid I have been infected by the Hawk virus and it is costing me quite a lot of money.
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And so, another Tomahawkaholic is born...doomed to a sisyphusian like existance of endless longing for tomahawkian-like toolage. And although I've now collected 12...I simply can't seem to shake the feeling that...I want more.
 
Glenn Jones said:
I am afraid I have been infected by the Hawk virus and it is costing me quite a lot of money.
Click to expand...

Head over to the Himalayan Imports forum and then you'll be carrying around a hawk and a kukri, because you can't choose between the two! Those start adding up quickly, too, especially since they are all handmade, and technically customs (they also do custom pieces).

But if you're worried about your wallet, whatever you do, don't start looking at Busse knives or Kifaru packs!

Oops, did I say that out loud?? :eek::cool:
 
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