Tomahawks

[izzyscout21]

What thoughts does everyone have about tomahawks. I know tht these can be an outstanding survival tool. So I thought we could have a little tomahawk discussion going on.

Due to a few comments in Tunnelrat's bugout thread, I was reminded about how much I want a tomahawk. But in true Izzy style, I want something different. I want a combat tomahawk.

Here's whats on my wish list. I say wish list, cause these are pretty steep.

These are by American Kami
...AMERICAN KAMI... ...AXE... (http://www.americankami.com/axe.html)

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/t2ll.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/t1main.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/DSC00055BT.jpg

[izzyscout21]

Heres the other one I really like:

Daniel Winker, Master Bladesmith (http://www.winklerknives.com/knifeidx.asp?type=Winkler%20Knives%20II)

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/101509ODSayoc-Winkler02_600wm.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/sayoc_bg.jpg
http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx288/2crgrunt/hatches%20and%20knives/IMG_5099.jpg

I really like thee, but they come with a Steeeeeeeeeeep price tag.

In general, what are you guys' opinions of the tomahawk?

[Optimist]

So you get a piece of steel the right thickness, and start to shape it, making sure not to get it too hot so as not to wreck the crystalline structure of the metal. When you get it pretty close to how you want it, start building the handle, and fit 'em together. Then heat-treat and temper the metal, fit it to the handle, and go with whatever finish you want to use. Then it will be the Izzyscout Hawk, #1....

[smoker1]

I guess I'm old fashioned, or just old.:D I prefer the riflemans hawk from cold steel. I've had mine for 15years or so and I haven't destroyed it yet. It throws well and holds a good edge. If I ever broke the handle I can make a new hickory handle for it.

I like the one in the last picture as it looks a little more traditional. It looks like the head and handle are all made from one piece of steel and the handles laminated on the outside, Should be very strong.

[realist]

I like them. I want one. When I get it I will probably end up cutting myself with it. That said I refuse to pay a fortune for one. So if I do get one I will either make it myself or buy one that is not a months rent. If I did that then the wife would say I would have to get rid of one of my guns, can't do that. Izzy thems hawks sure are perttttty. Unfortunately those are some of the ones that I like.

[Stormfeather]

You should check out TOPS knives. ( TOPS Knives.com (http://www.topsknives.com/index.php?cPath=7) )They are the guys I go to when I am getting ready to deploy to Bad People Lands. Ive carried TOPS since they was a fledgling company hawking their wares at gun shows. Simple, durable, and badass. What more can you ask for?
I purchased my niece a ALRT (ANYWHERE LAST RESORT TOOL) and she was lucky enough to have it when she was walking home from college and she had a guy try to mug her. He got 3 strikes to the face and ran off screaming. She admits she doesnt know who was screaming more, her or the guy who tried to mug her, but it was enough to bring a lot of people out of their houses to come to her aid! Although they never caught the guy, she still carries it everyday. But anyways, they make a badass knife and tomahawks as well. Should check them out Izzy, you may just like them, they look like they may be just up your alley!

[Taz Baby]

A friend of my son,s use to make knives out of lawnmower blades. He made small ones and macheties. He decided to take it to a new level and made axes and tomahawks. He used cedar, hickory and oak for handles. They were all really neat looking. He made me an oyster knife.

[izzyscout21]

So you get a piece of steel the right thickness, and start to shape it, making sure not to get it too hot so as not to wreck the crystalline structure of the metal. When you get it pretty close to how you want it, start building the handle, and fit 'em together. Then heat-treat and temper the metal, fit it to the handle, and go with whatever finish you want to use. Then it will be the Izzyscout Hawk, #1....


I'd like to do that. Would you be able to detail the process in a thread? I'll try it.

[apssbc]

Here are mine, I prefer the cold steel hawks. They are cheap but made of decent steel, hold a edge well, and stand up to some serious abuse. I cut down the handle on my hawks to balance them our better. They are very good weapons for hand to hand. I now have the the pipe hawk which is nice because it has a better curve for hooking in hand to hand and has the hammer on the end.

I will post pics of the pipe hawk I sharpened it to a razor edge, wrapped the handle and shortened it. Its my new favorite hawk.

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/emmettfire45/photo2-1.jpg

[bacpacker]

I love the hawks by Winkler, but no way in hell would i shhhell out that kinda money. The more thought i give it, i want the hawk with the hammer head on it. I think it's much more versitle.

[apssbc]

In my experience the hammer head is better. The spike on the Vietnam hawk had very few uses. I find the hammer and curved head combo to be the best for me. Its much better than trying to use the side of the hawk as a hammer.

[Dropy]

Think of it this way folks. These tools/weapons have been used as tomahawks/handaxes by peoples all over the globe for thousands of years. There is a very good reason for this. They are both tool and weapon. And if you know how to use them they can do a LOT more than you would give them credit for.

[apssbc]

Excellent dropy. I couldn't have out it better myself. It's been used for millennia by people from all over the world. I try not to leave home without it.

[Gunfixr]

Those are nice, Izzy.
I like a Tomahawk, and have one of these:
AMERICAN TOMAHAWK COMPANY : LaGana Tactical (VTAC) (http://www.americantomahawk.com/products/vtac.htm)
I like it, but without the hammer head it has limited survival uses. Also, while the sheath is quite secure, it sucks for a combat weapon. By the time you got it out, the fight would be over. I went so far as to stipple the lower 4" or 5" of the handle for better grip.

[apssbc]

Ok the Pipe Hawk is done, shortened, sharpened, and wrapped. Simple sheath on it that I plan on taking off if I may need it. The Hawk itself will hang in a simple loop on my battle belt for very fast access.

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/emmettfire45/100_4103.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/emmettfire45/100_4102.jpg

[GunnerMax]

Amazon.com: SOG Specialty Knives & Tools F01T Tactical Tomahawk, Black: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PICTYC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
and
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030DBHGU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

are two that I would like to get. I am leaning on the Cold Steel one though, if I have to pick one.

[bacpacker]

Ok the Pipe Hawk is done, shortened, sharpened, and wrapped. Simple sheath on it that I plan on taking off if I may need it. The Hawk itself will hang in a simple loop on my battle belt for very fast access.

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/emmettfire45/100_4103.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu198/emmettfire45/100_4102.jpg

I like the Pipe hawk. Looks nice with the handle wrapped. I've never woven the para cord. How did you go about wrapping it. Specifically how did you tie it off on both ends? Single layer or two?

[Grumpy Old Man]

I guess I'll chime in with my $0.02. I have thrown hawks for a couple of dozen years at Rendezvous. I traded my Rifleman's hawk to my youngest son for a Hudson Bay Camp knife. I like my francesca for throwing; ones like it fought Gaius Julius Caesar during his Gallic campaigns. I have a CS Trail hawk that I like and I'm going to get another Rifleman's hawk after 8 years of being without one.

Basically, you can make it look high tech but is a very low tech tool. One of the original tools I might add. So, I recommend getting a Cold Steel Rifleman's or Pipe hawk as an entry into the field.

Throwing tip-make sure your throwing knife and hawk weigh the same!

[piranha2]

I will keep watching this one - I am very interested in a hawk and want to get all the info I can before purchasing.

[mitunnelrat]

How is it that cold chunks of metal festooned with wooden sticks can make me drool like Gomer Pyle over a jelly doughnut?

[bacpacker]

SHAZAM! Me to Rat, Met to.

[mitunnelrat]

At least I know I'm in good company then!

[apssbc]

I like the Pipe hawk. Looks nice with the handle wrapped. I've never woven the para cord. How did you go about wrapping it. Specifically how did you tie it off on both ends? Single layer or two?

At the top I start with a clove hitch and tuck the end under. Then I melt the end so it bonds with the line. Then I just start doing half hitches the whole way down and it creates the appearance of the second layer, and the functionality of the better grip. I finish it by running it through the lanyard hole, and the tracing it through the last half hitch and again melting the end. I pull it super tight after every hitch and by the end I usually have blisters.

[Grumpy Old Man]

How is it that cold chunks of metal festooned with wooden sticks can make me drool like Gomer Pyle over a jelly doughnut?

Because they take us back to a more basic time in history. And because they just look and feel cool!!

[archertom]

I have owned several hawks over the years and to date, the Cold Steel ones are the best ones I have owned personally. I had the chance to meet the creators of Cold Steel and those guys are tops. I also like TOPS products but, my Cold Steel has never let me down no matter the situation so, I haven't had the need to change yet. But I might very well give TOPS a look and see what I can see. hoooyah

[Gunfixr]

The Laguna Tomahawk I have is the only one I found with an NSN number.
I figure if Spec Ops guys can chop their way into cars with them, I'd never hurt mine.

[mitunnelrat]

Just out of curiosity, and not because I actually cut myself on it or anything... Just "how sharp" should a hawk be? And if I did, hypothetically speaking, manage to cut myself while cleaning up the edge on one, would it then be considered a blade in the same fashion as a knife?

[apssbc]

I try for as sharp as possible. Makes you have to resharpen more often, however the sharper the better if a undesirable ever needs attention. Thats just my opinion, my pipe hawk is pretty close to being able to easily shave. Its worth the extra effort.

[mitunnelrat]

Ok. So getting a thin slice akin to a paper cut when you barely graze a knuckle against the edge is a good thing then. :D Cool. I'll own that one then.

[apssbc]

That is a very good thin IMHO. Like I said the fine edge is more likely to dent and dull, but that's what sharpeners are for.

Btw I got the edge started for u ;) jk.

[mitunnelrat]

LOL! You probably did! My buddy just told me I'm the equal of a Depression era butcher at sharpening, but I don't think so, so it must have been you. Since you got me started in hawks, and got a good edge started on it. I'm gonna ask you to get me started using it effectively! ;Y

Things come in three's you know :D

[Evolver]

How is it that cold chunks of metal festooned with wooden sticks can make me drool like Gomer Pyle over a jelly doughnut?

How about some agate lashed to stag horn? :)
http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss162/xplore2c/KnifeandHawk.jpg

[apssbc]

Nice evolver that is sweet.

MTR I will get you going in that aspect too if I have to I guess ;).

[mitunnelrat]

lol. You don't have to. I just need some more space to work with. I almost took out a dresser and a wooden trunk two nights ago. :D

Training is on my mind though. I'm pretty comfortable with the gear I have now, its just getting the skills up to use it correctly/ most effectively. I'd love to get a heavy bag and an MMA dummy set up somewhere... invest in some training videos at the very least.

but admit it, you'd enjoy have a live meat sack to kick the crap out of until I can counter, wouldn't you?

[mitunnelrat]

Evolver, I'd love to learn how to make those without them falling apart. It'd be a neat skill to have.

[apssbc]

Im no black belt or what not in it. But I feel I can hold my own. Ill show you some things and I believe I even have a few spare training knifes. I also have a spare training hawk. However its not the best one. So try looking up a training kamas and knives. I like the training knife that marks when you make contact so you know.

Martial art - kamas, bamboo tanto 2603-b - martial art - kamas, bamboo tanto (http://www.import-action.com/2603-b.html)

[mitunnelrat]

Lol. That could get interesting. My steel knives mark me upon contact too, so at least I won't come out bleeding from yours! ;)

[apssbc]

HAHAH No bleeding in my house! Plus I dont know if I would know what to do if someone got hurt, I have no idea how to take care of the sick and injured ;)