Why are your hawks....

Jaeger

Jaeger

Joined
Feb 27, 1999
Messages
543

....worth $150? I frequent the Rendevous in my area and most of the utility hawks that are sold are between $20 and $40. Some are cast, some are forged, some are stainless, most are carbon. For the most part they are all pretty similar and after some edge work they work pretty well. What makes yours different? Why should I buy one.
(this is NOT meant in a condecending manner! It's a serious quesion. I am quite willing to pay for a quality product)
 
A good question. I wondered it myself.

I didn`t pay anything for mine, but that was back in the good old days.

It`s a cheap hatchet; that is all,(mine).

If I neded money more than privacy, I would sell it for $US 150. It will never be on the market.

No body would ever think that there was worth here.

I guess it is the combat thing.

Beats me; pay your money and take your chances.

[This message has been edited by FNG (edited 02-01-2001).]
 
Well, the reason that I am buying this product is that I have looked for about 3 years for a quality axe and tomahawk. In that 3 years, I found the quality axes from Gransford Burks, purchased several, and they are excellent in every respect: feel, edge capability, ability to chop and all the intangibles that come along with a blade.

In that three years, I have not found a tomahawk that I liked. I bought the Cold Steel Vietnam hawk and several other CS hawks when Mike/Spark liquidated their inventory about a year ago. I have contacted custom makers about their hawks and they kept on coming in around $250 to $350.

Now I read about the American Tomahawk Company, and the hawks that they are going to produce - a quality product with 5160, hickory handle, and the different styles. Also, Andy is involved - so you know that you will have service that is excellent and more importantly - proven...

Also, I know when I receive the hawks that I ordered - I will not have to do anything with it, no handle or blade work to make it work - it will work right out of the box for a lifetime.

For all the reasons that I stated, I feel that it is worth the price.
 
As mentioned, most of the good `hawks I've seen by the more custom makers have all been over $200 for comparable materials and manufacture. Part of what you're paying for is the materials and manufacturing. Not all tomahawks are equal, though they may look the same. Subtleties such as edge geometry, differential hardening, seasoned wood for the handle, as well as other finer points such as balance ("throw-ability") are things that aren't readily apparent by simply picking up a `hawk.

Another part is the lineage of these particular `hawks. Mr. LaGana's involvement also assures a quality piece with those subtleties mentioned above included as part of the process, not as an afterthought.

Granted, you can probably get a general run-of-the-mill "using" `hawk at a rendezvous that will provide adequate service for $40-50. But will it have those subtle fine points that makes for an excellent throwing `hawk with the heritage of Mr. LaGana's involvement? Probably not.

Honestly, if I was simply looking for a belt chopper for the occaisional rendezvous use, I would be tempted to save some money and go for the less expensive product.

However, if I were looking for an excellently made and balanced product, meant for use and throwing, with a pedigree of being collaborated with by someone with LaGana's extensive knowledge and history of tomahawk use, then ATC's products are the way to go.

It all comes down to your own personal choice and preference, and whether or not you can decide if the added investment is worth it. Only you can answer these questions for yourself, as I've answered it for me. I know that I'm saving my pennies already.

------------------
Don LeHue

"You want what? On the friggen' ceiling?!" - Michaelangelo Buonarroti
 
This is an excellent question and one that I have expected to appear here on the forum...glad we can get this answered early in the game.

Some of the responses thus far were quite correct, but I'll add a few and probably restate some above a little differently.

1) The Rogers' Rangers Series of Tomahawks are the only Tomahawks commissioned by the US Army, Ranger Training Brigade (RTB). They are reproduced from original historical drawings of French and Indian War period Tomahawks which the Rangers carried, furnished by the RTB.

Our creative additions include built in throwing functionality, "Ranger" Tab and "Rogers' Rangers" handle burnings, and a lifetime guarantee for breakage on the head...unconditional and transferable.

All four from the series will be placed in the Ranger Museum with Jim Dietz's commissioned oil painting, "the Colonial Ranger". I don't know of any other Tomahawk which has been graced with that status.

2) Each Hawk comes with a parchment certificate describing the history of Maj. Robert Rogers and Rogers' Rangers.

3) Each Hawk comes with the American Tomahawk Company Manual, which includes throwing instructions, Tomahawk history, and throwing contest guidelines.

4) Portions of your purchase on the Rogers' Rangers series will benefit the US Army Ranger Best Ranger Contest each year that we are sponsors.

5) Each Hawk comes with a hair shaving sharp edge, right out of the box!! No re-working required.

6) Each handle is attached with the 1 degree taper method, force pressed into the head from the top, assuring the best marriage between handle and head.

7) Product Value will only go up, as we plan for serialized versions and collector grade versions of the Rogers' Rangers Series..with mirror polished heads...more on that soon!

8) Every process and component is made entirely in the United States of America!!!!

Our Tomahawks, by design, execution, and association to significant events in history and personalities, will be the most desirable Tomahawks available. Rogers' Rangers is just the beginning. If I unloaded what's coming, it would only get everyone all worked up!!!
biggrin.gif


Thanks again for this question and if there are any more about this subject, fire away!!!

My sincerest thanks for your support and interest in our Hawks.



------------------
Andy Prisco,
Co-Founder, Manager
American Tomahawk Company
877-557-5200
http://www.americantomahawk.com
----------------------

[This message has been edited by Andy Prisco (edited 02-01-2001).]
 
In reference to the attachment method between the head and the handle; is it possible to replace the handle myself or would I have to send this in for repair? Is there a possibility of different (maybe more aestheticly pleasing) shafts? So far the 'hawks look pretty good, I can't wait to get my hands on one. Thanks!
Matthew
 
Ok. Thank you for the replies.
Andy, are the hawk heads cast or forged. If they are forged are they a single homogenous piece of steel or is the cutting edge forged into the body? Will plain handles be available so that the hawks can be used at period reinactments? What will be the cost of replacement handles?
You know, this is how it all started with Himalyan Imports! Here I am, 12 khukuris and counting!
 
LongRifle (I love your screen name!) Give me a call and I will hook you up with a Hawk.

Yes, more aesthetic handles are in the cards. The plain ones are available now.
Replacement due to breakage can be either/or...we can send you the handle (if you can get your broken one out
biggrin.gif
), or you are welcome to send the Hawk in for a resharpening and new handle.
smile.gif


On the collector grade Rogers Rangers', we are going to do some presentation solid wood handles, like curly maple, bird's eye maple, etc...

On the LaGana Hawks and some other special (hmmmm
cool.gif
) models, we are going to do laminated exotic wood handles...like cocobolo and osage.

Hope this helps!!!

------------------
Andy Prisco,
Co-Founder, Manager
American Tomahawk Company
877-557-5200
http://www.americantomahawk.com
----------------------
 
Woops......I forgot.

The Rogers' Ranger Hawks have 5160 cutting edges forged into a milder steel body. The heads are completely hand forged at our shop in the United States....no casting and no importing.
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I'll invite Bobby to elaborate on this...

Herrrrrrrrrrrrre's Bobby!!!

------------------
Andy Prisco,
Co-Founder, Manager
American Tomahawk Company
877-557-5200
http://www.americantomahawk.com
----------------------
 
Thanks Andy,
The Hawks for the Roger Rangers series start out with a 7-9 inch flat bar of mild steel. The eye is formed by wrapping the flat bar around a tapered mandrel. A piece of 5160 is sandwiched between the folded layers of mild steel up to the eye and is forge welded so that the three pieces become one. The blade is then rough forged to shape using a 50lb power hammer. The eye is
reheated and another tapered mandrel is inserted to smooth the inside of the eye and to make sure that the handle is in alignment with the head. The hawk is reheated and the final forging is done using a hand held hammer then heat treated. After heat treating the bevels are ground and sharpened. Once the finish is applied the handle is pressed in using a 20 ton hydraulic press. I then send them to Andy and he sells them for us.


Bobby Branton
Co Founder and Production Director
American Tomahawk Company


[This message has been edited by Knifeslinger (edited 02-01-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jaeger:
...You know, this is how it all started with Himalyan Imports! Here I am, 12 khukuris and counting! </font>
Click to expand...

LOL, Jaeger, that is my fear exactly! (BTW, I think I have you beat by a khuk or two.
wink.gif
)


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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Brian,

I think you would beat almost anyone in the khukuri catagory beside Uncle Bill.

Ben

------------------
Ben Lee
AOL IM: MSURifleman
 
I'll answer in a sort of "why I would pay it"?:

1.) Because Andy is doing it, so I know it will be done right.
2.) Because Peter LaGana and the Rangers respectively benefit from it.
3.) Because I prefer "hard use" items that I know will not fail afield. If ATC is putting a lifetime warranty on the head, it must be what I am looking for, and worth the price.
4.) Because for what people are paying for "folders" these days, it doesn't seem like too much for quality and proper execution to have one hell of a field tool and weapon. BTW: I carry a Busse "Mean Street" IWB in a custom Blade Tech Concealex rig instead of a folder. Nothing against folders, just like the idea of a knife that WILL pry a door open if needed without breaking and ruining the investment.
5.) Etc.
6.) Etc.
7.) Etc.

Same reason some people buy Harley's instead of Honda "Shadows". Looks the same, but just ain't.


[This message has been edited by GPB (edited 02-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by GPB (edited 02-02-2001).]
 
Well, it all sounds pretty good. I have found that a common problem with hawks that are forged in this manner is that after a few years of hard use the forging welds start to break. I assume that since you are giving the hawks a lifetime warentee that you have overcome this problem?
Looks like I'm going to have to start saving my nickles and dimes!
 
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