Worth getting a budget hawk as a first one, or better to go for a more expensive one?

crimsonfalcon07

crimsonfalcon07

Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
6,852
I'm looking at picking up my first tomahawk, mainly for throwing and just in general messing around. Might use it as a camping chopper, although I love my khukuri, and that will be coming with me regardless. I was thinking I'd start out with a CS Trench Hawk, or a SOG Fusion Tactical, both of which are around 42 shipped. Benchmade and Emerson are both more like 200+, which is a pretty big jump, and I'm not sure if I want to go with a wood handle or not.

Is it worth getting a cheap hawk like the CS Trench Hawk to mess around with, or should I be saving for something nicer. If so, any suggestions?
 
I have a bunch of CS hawks but none of them are tactical. I like the new frontier the best for throwing and being the most traditional hawk they make IMO. You can't really go wrong with CS hawks as a starter.

Regards

Robin
 
Last edited:
CS hawks need a bit of work, but are generally pretty good value.

The Benchmade is more of a heavy breeching hawk than a throwing hawk, whereas the Emerson from ATC is a light fighting hawk, which will not hold up indefinitely to throwing.


Ookami
 
I like my SOG FastHawk...I aint broke or hurt it yet, one of the better ways I've spent 40$.
 
I generally advise someone to go ahead and get what they really want.

But in a case like this where you aren't even sure if you like hawks, I'd definitely say try CS first. If you're not hung up on it being "tactical", I'd advise you try a couple of their more traditional hawks. Personally, I like the Trail and Pipe hawks, my third favorite would be the new Frontier. They make excellent companions to a kukri.
 
What makes the more traditional ones better, in your mind? I kinda like the idea of the impact resistant polypropylene handle, and the fact that it wont dump splinters into my hand over time. I don't mind the black, and would probably do a camo job on it. That was the main thing that drew me to the tactical version. If there's a compelling reason to go for traditional over tactical, I don't really care. I mainly want a user/abuser. I don't care about looks, because I won't feel bad dinging the heck out of the handle, etc on a tactical one (although I'm going to try to protect the blade as best I can). A wood one, I'd be inclined to keep pretty. That's the main reason I was thinking tactical--cause they're fugly, but look like users.
 
Well, for one if you go deeper than the cheeks of the bit with the trench hawk, you hit the handle and stop dead. Contrary to popular belief, the traditional hawks can split wood fairly well, so long as it's moving fast, the transition from cheeks to eye wall acts like a splitting wedge.

With the wood haft, you can order the War hammer 30" haft, and cut it down an inch at a time until you find the right balance for the hawk head you choose. With the trench, you're stuck at 19"

While the trench os a decent fighting hawk (IMO there's better designs), the more traditional hawks are better tools. If you like a back spike, the spike hawk's is a better design for a digging/climbing tool, has the same bit profile as the new Frontier and Pipe hawk, and still makes a vicious weapon, if that's how you want to go.

I.E. I think they are better tools.

BUT, that's an opinion, anytime you ask for opinions you need to be aware that others' opinions might not match your tastes.
 
Thanks for the well-considered response. You make a lot of sense. One more question: you said there's better designs for a fighting hawk. Any design in particular that you think is noteworthy?
 
I have to agree with the Cpl on the spike hawk, it is one scary machine and really fun to throw spike forward. I have no doubt it would go through a car roof although might be tough getting it out. As far as hafts are concerned, I have only broken one when I threw a second hawk right through it.;-)

Regards

Robin
 
Last edited:
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Thanks for the well-considered response. You make a lot of sense. One more question: you said there's better designs for a fighting hawk. Any design in particular that you think is noteworthy?
Click to expand...

Well, for an inexpensive hawk, the CS pipe hawk would be a good weapon. Going up in price, next in line would be the Fort Turner Roger's Rangers hawk, then a Vector Hawk (if you can find someone to part with one. I don't know what's up with Vec, he hasn't offered any for some time now), then the RMJ Shrike or Eagle Talon, and I guess at the top of the list would be the Winkler hawks.

The custom makers here can also make you a good fighting hawk, but I don't know what they charge, so can't comment on that.

ETA: One more thing. The CS hafts are hickory, and very hard at that. From my experience with them, I can say that I've beat the hell out of them and they haven't splintered or broke on me. Being as cheap as they are I really do treat them like a redheaded stepchild, and although I have to regularly fix the edge on them from hitting things I shouldn't hit, the haft have not been a problem.
 
Oops, I mean tfor a weapon the SPIKE hawk, although one isn't going to feel good being hit by the pipe hawk, either.
 
I would start with a less expensive hawk, if you are out playing with it, throwing, shopping or otherwise silliness, you won't be so ill if you ding a $30 to $50 tool as a $200 My Precious. and want to just drop a brick. Oh Crap!
 
I bought a SOG hawk a while back. I was skeptical as it's made of stainless 440 series. However, I have used this tool in chopping green and seasoned wood, digging in sand and rocky soil, throwing, whittling and I even punched through a 55 gallon drum with the spike. Aside from a little touch up on the edge it has held up amazingly well for the price. The head/handle design is very solidly made, it even has a checkered flat between the spike and blade for driving nails or tent stakes. I've managed to drive 10 penny nails into 2x4 with it.

As for fighting with it? In my opinion, unless you know what your doing it's a bit heavy to use well. I've done a fair bit of training in many different weapons applications, and for me, this hawk is a bit slow to be of good use as an extended reach type weapon. Someone with a larger frame will likely find otherwise.

All in all it's a very nice tool. I recommend it and plan to buy another. I also want to forge a few in 1095 or 5160 using the same style head.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top