Winkler tomahawk: KG or non-glare finish?

V

VolundoftheForge

Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
1,491
Hey guys, just about to place my order, but I can't decide on what finish to get. Also having problems with what to get for handle, but I'm thinking either micarta or the recycled rubber. I like in Florida so the extra grip is nice, but I'm not sure how durable it is. Anyways, back to the coating, which is your favorite and why?
 
The micarta on my Combat Axe is very grippy. Dan also does 3D sculpturing on micarta now if your worried about grip. If you were using it in a jungle environment or submerging it regularily I'd lean toward the rubber. I didn't get the KG on mine as I didn't feel it was needed for my application. You may want it as your in FL.
 
Basically I want durability and comfort, but also don't want to skip on looks. Wood with non-glare looks best to me, but doesn't seem practical.
 
I would pick a coating that lasts the longest. For the price tag i'm paying it has to be a user and it better be.
 
I got my Sayoc in the black KG finish with black micarta, I like the look. I didn't plan on using it for breaching or chopping wood, I wanted it dark.
But, on my Camp Axe order I went with the Caswell. I'm going to use it so the finish will be wearing off. I thought maybe a patina would blend in better, or it could be touched up pretty easy if need be. I live in Kentucky, tools rust and all my wood choppers end up getting tree resin, blemishes, and scars. I'll keep it clean and in good shape but it's gonna show some use and wear, and I like that in a tool.
I like the micarta, but I haven't held or used Dan's recycled rubber handles either. I'd think the micarta would be the longest lasting material, it will be there in 100+ years. The rubber "could" dry out, and the wood could do a number of things. It can swell, shrink, crack, rot, get gouged up from use, and although the best looking, it's the more fragile of the three. The micarta will be there even if you use it hard, it could break, but that would be due to some serious hard use.
If you're not in the military, and don't plan on doing missions in the jungles or the Everglades, would you want the rubber handles? Are you a Navy SEAL, will you be swimming with this in ocean water before a landing?
I imagine that rubber grips are great for very extreme uses, maybe a bit overkill for the civilian, IDK. Dan's video, on the WK2 website, demonstrates how tough those rubber handles are, they are on that small rescue/breaching axe with the can opener.
 
foxx said:
I got my Sayoc in the black KG finish with black micarta, I like the look. I didn't plan on using it for breaching or chopping wood, I wanted it dark.
But, on my Camp Axe order I went with the Caswell. I'm going to use it so the finish will be wearing off. I thought maybe a patina would blend in better, or it could be touched up pretty easy if need be. I live in Kentucky, tools rust and all my wood choppers end up getting tree resin, blemishes, and scars. I'll keep it clean and in good shape but it's gonna show some use and wear, and I like that in a tool.
I like the micarta, but I haven't held or used Dan's recycled rubber handles either. I'd think the micarta would be the longest lasting material, it will be there in 100+ years. The rubber "could" dry out, and the wood could do a number of things. It can swell, shrink, crack, rot, get gouged up from use, and although the best looking, it's the more fragile of the three. The micarta will be there even if you use it hard, it could break, but that would be due to some serious hard use.
If you're not in the military, and don't plan on doing missions in the jungles or the Everglades, would you want the rubber handles? Are you a Navy SEAL, will you be swimming with this in ocean water before a landing?
I imagine that rubber grips are great for very extreme uses, maybe a bit overkill for the civilian, IDK. Dan's video, on the WK2 website, demonstrates how tough those rubber handles are, they are on that small rescue/breaching axe with the can opener.
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Thanks for your input. I'm not sure if I plan on using her or keeping her for emergencies, yet.
 
You will want to use it. The day mine came in the mail, I opened it and had to use it. Chopped a branch up and broke up some left over flagstone. They are tools that need to be used. :)

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I love the design but I think if I bought one I'd end up putting it in a safe deposit box for my kids to sell when I'm gone. :D

Anyone have pics of the different finishes? I don't see them on the website just the options.

While we're looking at them, aren't these a good candidate for drop forging, decreasing the man hours to make one? Or what about casting them, that'd have to make them much more affordable. (I know some people think castings are weaker, but doesn't ruger cast all of their firearms, I never hear anything about them blowing up).

Red
 
Dago Red said:
I love the design but I think if I bought one I'd end up putting it in a safe deposit box for my kids to sell when I'm gone. :D

Anyone have pics of the different finishes? I don't see them on the website just the options.

While we're looking at them, aren't these a good candidate for drop forging, decreasing the man hours to make one? Or what about casting them, that'd have to make them much more affordable. (I know some people think castings are weaker, but doesn't ruger cast all of their firearms, I never hear anything about them blowing up).

Red
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That would kind of take away from the whole "hand-made" thing in my opinion. RMJ does them that way I believe.
 
Hammer forged would be ok by me, RMJ hammer forges theirs then CNC machines them. Daniel Winkler hand forges some and his Winkler II line uses a more modern approach of stock removal to keep the cost down. As far as cast, it's not as strong so you won't find a quality hawk (old style or new full-tang) that is cast.

Hawks are impact tools. I wouldn't trust my life to a cast tool. To each his own though.
 
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As for the recycled rubber handles, I can say that they will endure quite a bit...pretty much anything, really. I gave one as a gift to a good friend who is a Marine who took it on 3 deployments to the 'Stan. He said it held up to everything thrown at it and that he liked the little bit of cushion that the rubber gave on the grip. Grip or the lack thereof was never an issue even with gloves and wet conditions.

I have a couple of his axes with wood handles and I like those just fine. I have other buds who have the Micarta and prefer that. Your mileage may vary.

Bottom line, Daniel Winkler makes great gear. Period. Choose what you like and you will be happy.
 
Dago Red said:
I love the design but I think if I bought one I'd end up putting it in a safe deposit box for my kids to sell when I'm gone. :D

Anyone have pics of the different finishes? I don't see them on the website just the options.

While we're looking at them, aren't these a good candidate for drop forging, decreasing the man hours to make one? Or what about casting them, that'd have to make them much more affordable. (I know some people think castings are weaker, but doesn't ruger cast all of their firearms, I never hear anything about them blowing up).

Red
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Guns are dealing with high PSI inside the barrel, that force is spread out over the surface area within. The impact of a 24oz, or greater, hawk can put all the speed, weight, and force onto it's edge. Lots of energy is dumped into the target being cut or punctured, sometimes not, depends on what you are hitting. The edge is a far smaller area to take all that shock, not quite the same forces at all.
 
You have some time after you place your order if you happen to change your mind. I prefer micarta myself, for it's strength. Doesn't look bad either.
 
jwaj said:
You have some time after you place your order if you happen to change your mind. I prefer micarta myself, for it's strength. Doesn't look bad either.
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I understand. I think I may go with Caswell finish since it tends to wear better, but I'm not sure between micarta and rubber. Rubber seems more practical, but micarta seems more durable. I also think the rubber would work well in extremely cold environments for extra grip and not be as cold.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
I understand. I think I may go with Caswell finish since it tends to wear better, but I'm not sure between micarta and rubber. Rubber seems more practical, but micarta seems more durable. I also think the rubber would work well in extremely cold environments for extra grip and not be as cold.
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I would worry about the rubber cracking in extreme cold, but I'm not sure about that? You don't go wrong with micarta, but just place as an order, it will be several weeks (at best) before he gets to your specific order, you can change your mind in the meantime.
 
I spoke to Mr. Winkler at the recent custom knife show out here in California. I held rubber handled axe and also the wooden axe too. The rubber handled axe is heavier then the wooden axe model. Mr. Winkler said that a micarta handled axe would weigh in between the rubber handled model and wooden model. Also, if you are puncturing any type of petroleum based fuel cans with the axe and should some fuel spill on a rubber based handle. It could start dissolving the rubber. Just a possibility. By the way,I ordered a micarta handled combat axe too.
 
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