Winter Tomahawk?

bearthedog · Jun 20, 2012

I may be in Alaska for a few months.

Lets forget for a few moments about hatchets and axes. What Tomahawk would be better for winter (all night wood)? I tend to leave the machete home for winter backpacking trips and I don't care much for the weight of axes- not going to be building any log cabins.

I own and love the CS Frontier Hawk with a cut down 16 handle.

Would you say a heavier Hawk head or a longer handle would be better for winter at elevation 4,000-8,000 feet? Our snow line is around 5,000 ft in CA.

Thanks in advance, pictures would be much appreciated.

-RB

Brian Sargent · Jun 20, 2012

Is the plan to buck and split wood for the fire ?

... or split wood that was bucked with a saw?

schmittie · Jun 20, 2012

bearthedog said:
Let’s forget for a few moments about hatchets and axes. What Tomahawk would be better for winter (all night wood)? I tend to leave the machete home for winter backpacking trips and I don't care much for the weight of axes- not going to be building any log cabins.

-RB

You just said "all night wood"! That is hilarious!!

........

I apologize. I am way too immature to handle this question.

bearthedog · Jun 20, 2012

schmittie said:
You just said "all night wood"! That is hilarious!!

You know it!

-RB

Brian Sargent · Jun 20, 2012

Guess you only need some little Blue pills then.

bearthedog · Jun 20, 2012

Brian Sargent said:
Is the plan to buck and split wood for the fire ?

... or split wood that was bucked with a saw?

Yes.

-RB

deepfry · Jun 20, 2012

I would say either the one you've got there or the trail hawk. I own and have used both up here in Maine which isn't too far off climate wise from where you'll be.
I personally would probably go with the trail hawk. The shape of the head as well as the extra weight make the trail hawk a little better at splitting, plus you get the added utility of the hammer.
That hammer is also handy when your hawk gets stuck because it gives you something to pound on to drive it the rest of the way through, effectively making your tool into a three-in-one: hawk, hammer, and splitting wedge. The frontier hawk is lighter though and is definitely no slouch either.

Brian Sargent · Jun 20, 2012

Would you say a heavier Hawk head or a longer handle would be better for winter at elevation 4,000-8,000 feet?

Then I'd say a heavier head would do more work and save you time.

I have a Riflemans Hawk that you can have if you want it.

http://www.coldsteel.com/riflemanshawk.html

bearthedog · Jun 21, 2012

Brian Sargent said:
Then I'd say a heavier head would do more work and save you time.

I have a Riflemans Hawk that you can have if you want it.

http://www.coldsteel.com/riflemanshawk.html

Have you used it enough to tell if it is a good chopper? Let me know your opinion. I couldn't take a tool from you though. Thanks!

-RB

Brian Sargent · Jun 21, 2012

bearthedog said:
Have you used it enough to tell if it is a good chopper? Let me know your opinion. I couldn't take a tool from you though. Thanks!

-RB

The bit isn't much thicker than the Trailhawk and it weighs over twice what the Trailhawk does.

It weighs more than most hatchet heads also.

The bit is thinner than the GB Hunter that I have.

It's a lot hawk for that size handle.

Chops pretty darn good.

It's a beast as far as Hawks go IMO.

JParanee · Jun 21, 2012

I have a lot of hawks but for all out wood processing the one on the right would do he best out of my hawk collection

Steve from Coal Creeck Forge made it

CWL · Jun 22, 2012

bearthedog said:
I may be in Alaska for a few months.

Let’s forget for a few moments about hatchets and axes. What Tomahawk would be better for winter (all night wood)? I tend to leave the machete home for winter backpacking trips and I don't care much for the weight of axes- not going to be building any log cabins.

I own and love the CS Frontier Hawk with a cut down 16” handle.

Would you say a heavier Hawk head or a longer handle would be better for winter at elevation 4,000-8,000 feet? Our snow line is around 5,000 ft in CA.

If this is for high elevation Alaska use, wouldn't you want an axe with the bigger blade? Seems like you'd need to expend too much energy using a 'hawk for real axe work in the winter. If you plan to stay with just a 'hawk, I think you need a longer handle so your swings are more efficient. Just a little more weight to the handle can save you many extra strokes.

My fear of high altitudes and extreme cold is working-up too much of a sweat from over-exertion and freezing.

ivan51 · Jun 22, 2012

CWL said:
If this is for high elevation Alaska use, wouldn't you want an axe with the bigger blade? Seems like you'd need to expend too much energy using a 'hawk for real axe work in the winter. If you plan to stay with just a 'hawk, I think you need a longer handle so your swings are more efficient. Just a little more weight to the handle can save you many extra strokes.

My fear of high altitudes and extreme cold is working-up too much of a sweat from over-exertion and freezing.

Yep im thinking the same thing^^

a small axe like this might be the way to go
[video=youtube;NSmeHQqVFxU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSmeHQqVFxU[/video]