Winkler / RMJ Comparison Request

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Warbow150

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Dec 23, 2013
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Howdy,
I'm debating between a Winkler Combat Axe and a RMJ Eagle Talon. Uses would be light breaching, general utility, and occasional camp chores, like wood chopping and splitting. If anyone has one or both and used them in the above applications I'd be grateful to hear your views. I'm also interested in hearing about ergos, portability, that sort of thing. For example, is the RMJ a bit too long or the Winkler a bit too short for your uses? (I'm 6'5" for a bit of perspective)
Thanks.
 
Cannot comment on a comparison but the RMJ spikes can be used for heavy prying and breaking locks and chains. The Winklers spike seems too short. I Use a Shrike S13 for duty.
 
Thanks for the insight. After thinking it over a bit I ordered the Winkler. Sounds like both are pretty nice at any rate.
 
I like Winklers best but I'm a fan of his work. Now I don't own either so I really can't speak on them but man your a lucky man! Swamp rat also makes a nice hawk for a good price and you can beat the hell out of it! But any way enjoy man you got a sweet hawk and I'm jealouse! Congrats!
 
I have no problem with the shorter length. I have a Winkler Camp Ax and a ATC LaGana, Makes for a great utility size though the ATC sucks for actual utility work but great for breaching, but I hear that they'll change the grind angle for free. You also have a slight advantage because of your height, so that loss of handle length wouldn't mean as much to someone who is 5'5''

As for what company, its really hard to say. RMJ has a very good reputation. Winkler owners on the other hand don't seem to broadcast it as much. Though Winkler does have the "special forces" reputation, if thats worth anything to you. I own three winklers, if there's one thing that stands out about them is that it'll be darn near impossible to break. I've only come across two instances of a bad winkler (one with the sheath and one with a axe) and he was prompt about fixing it. While I seem to hear more broken RMJs, there are substantially more owners of his products than winkler axes. But never heard a complaint about their customer service either.
 
Thanks for the input. My Winkler came in late last week. Very nice craftsmanship. I sharpened it and it chops wood pretty well. Good at light demo, miserable at wood splitting because of the scales. Overall I'm very happy, clearly well put together. :)
 
Warbow150 said:
Thanks for the input. My Winkler came in late last week. Very nice craftsmanship. I sharpened it and it chops wood pretty well. Good at light demo, miserable at wood splitting because of the scales. Overall I'm very happy, clearly well put together. :)
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He does have a new hawk out but the name escapes me! But it can be ordered with half scales or paracord wrap! Now you may try calling him and seeing if this mod is possible on yours or he may just exchange it for you! He is a great guy and will work with you to make sure you get what you want.
 
I'm not too worried about it. Splitting wood is probably the last thing this axe was designed to do, I just posted it so folks might know if they were looking for that elusive "all in one tool." Regarding 550 cord wraps, I personally don't care much for it. Once you get blood or other gunk in it it's pretty nasty.
 
Just replace the cord...lol. I also think he may offer it with no wrap and just lower grips'...but if it works ya great!
 
lazy otter said:
He does have a new hawk out but the name escapes me! But it can be ordered with half scales or paracord wrap! Now you may try calling him and seeing if this mod is possible on yours or he may just exchange it for you! He is a great guy and will work with you to make sure you get what you want.
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http://www.winklerknives.com/knives.asp?id=218

Probably thinking of this. The Hammer Combat Axe. Still hoping one day to get one, and this is now at the top of the list.
 
The cow said:
While I seem to hear more broken RMJs, there are substantially more owners of his products than winkler axes. But never heard a complaint about their customer service either.
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Can you post some links to the broken RMJ's please? Not that I don't believe you, I just haven't seen it myself.

scouter27 said:
http://www.winklerknives.com/knives.asp?id=218

Probably thinking of this. The Hammer Combat Axe. Still hoping one day to get one, and this is now at the top of the list.
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I believe he's referring to the Wild Bill. Not all of Dan's models are actually on his website, there are dealers with much newer models.
 
This is the only RMJ I've ever seen damaged; following this RMJ started welding a steel tube at the end of the tang for the sharpening stone storage cavity. RMJ offered the customer to exchange it but he preferred it at it's new length. I believe in the early days a few broke and the company changed the steel or the RC they applied during heat treatment, IIRC.

picture: http://s244.photobucket.com/user/skdtactical/media/DSCF0555.jpg.html
 
There were only several breakages in the earlier days before they switched over to 4140 chrome Molly. I've spoke with Richard several times and he said there were 7 total reported. That's a hell of a track record if you ask me considering what the majority of the clientele buy an RMJ for and what they do with them. Of the breakages.....if I'm not mistaken, I believe he said most of the 7 were in the tip of the beard, which stands to reason as that's the weakest spot in most tomahawk designs.
 
I have a shrike that has a cracked handle but there is steel under the crack so I filled it with 2 ton epoxy good as new.
 
Well, I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in. I happen to have a nice collection of hawks, kind of a fetish. I have a winkler combat axe, an rmj shrike s13, jenny wren, kestrel feather, and just recently sold off my berserker. Out of all these, my winkler is the best for woods use, it out chops all of these, rather well. Followed closely by my jenny wren, then feather, and last the shrike. Durability wise, I would say Rmj has winkler beat, just by my observation. Also, in the woods, I find the spike on the feather and shrike to be very useful. I wish my jenny wren had a useable pry type spike, if it did, it would be the best outdoor tool I had. The winkler is a very short spike, still useable, but not as good as the other two. I have damaged my winkler, and jenny wren chopping though elk bone, not to bad, able to sharpen damage out with my work sharp, when i got home. It seems like my wren took a little less damage though. To tell you the truth, any one would be more than happy with any of these tools. And they all work much better in the woods than you would think. Very expensive tools, but they should last me the rest of my life, and I'll be able to hand them down to my nephews, and my son.
 
If you subscribe to the RMJ tactical(closed group) on facebook they have come out with a new one. Its a cross between there new woods hawk with a spike added. Available on Black friday for $250 A limited run. You gotta check it out. I'd be after it but my Jenny Wren fits the bill as my woods hawk. My s-13 is for work.
 
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I dont have a facebook, but I saw it on their site. It looks rather interesting, especially for the price. I wonder what the specs are, thickness, and over all length.
 
WJC01 said:
If you subscribe to the RMJ tactical(closed group) on facebook they have come out with a new one. Its a cross between there new woods hawk with a spike added. Available on Black friday for $250 A limited run. You gotta check it out. I'd be after it but my Jenny Wren fits the bill as my woods hawk. My s-13 is for work.
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Are you talking about the Kalihawk?
 
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