A New Thread For Axes, Hatchets, Hawks & Other Striking Tools

[Bloke]

the cool Tomahawk aspects

[JD Spydo]

the cool Tomahawk aspects

Hey BLOKE what do you know about "Hardcore Hardware" from your country? I've heard good things about them. I've also noticed that they make a nice selection of different tools for several different applications.

Are they from your area of the country? If so do you own any of their tools?

[Bloke]

Joe, we don’t make anything is this country.

I did a quick search and found these Bonza Axes from a mob who make them(?) up at Grafton about a 7-8hr drive north of here, Sydney. I’d never heard of them.



I have an old 4 1/2lb Hytest, they don’t make them anymore. I bought it before our kids were born. It’s Aussie made, not sure what steel it is but I’ve never found it wanting. It split our hardwood for hot water and heating for a couple of years and I’ve re handled it once.

It’s at Mum and Dads place so I can’t show you a pic.

[Josh Crutchley]

This is an old picture but I liked it. I have a SOG hawk somewhere but can't find it.

[Wartstein]

...

I feel the same way... but actually just about smaller, lighter, more "nimble" Tomahawks, ideally with a spike instead of a hammerhead.

When a Tomahawk gets too large and heavy, imho it looses some of the cool Tomahawk aspects, and a dedicated hatchet might be the better choice and most times a better wood splitter.

And a spike adds (again, imho) a lot more "multipurposeness" than a hammer.

Yea, I definitely hear that. I can’t stop thinking about that SOG fasthawk - truth be told, I haven’t bought one yet simple because I don’t think I’d ever use it.

Maybe it’s time to start trail running again! :p

Well, yes, trail running in the woods is only half the fun without a throwing hawk or knife!

/ On the Fasthawk: It is really good for the money (around €50 / $ 55) - IF you want a Tomahawk primarily for fun and throwing.

- It definitely can do some work too, but with its short edge and light head for about the same weight I´d rather take a big chopping knife like the Teraevae Skrama I show in my previous post (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=91398#p1585278) when it comes to wood processing

- Different story if you need a lil´ "Destroyer" (don´t know a proper English word), like when you have to tear down structures of buildings, smash bricks or whatever. There the Spike of the Fasthawk is great, while saving the actual edge
The Fasthawk is also pretty good at hammering things (in) for actually having no hammerhead but a spike: The side / flat of the blade (just where the handle goes in) is comparebly heavy and checkerd, and works well for hammering nails, tent pegs and so on.

- For throwing, as you´ve tried yourself already, it works amazing: Just the right weight and size (so rather light and small), and the spike gives you a second, or actually BETTER option to stick the hawk besides the actual edge.
The handle CAN break right below the head, if you´re hitting hard stuff with this area very hard often. I protect mine with for example small pieces of a foam mat and tape, or just with tape for tennis rackets / race bike handlebars.
I actually see in the pic YOU posted that the Fasthawk you tried is protected right there too.

- I have no practical experience or training in tomahawk combat / self defense..., but know quite a bit about fighting with a bit similar weapons in theory from my interest in medieval history and combat.
And I think this would be perfect as a fighting hawk too (not that I´d ever need one):
Very light and nimble, so it is easy to redirect strikes or recover when missing, the Spike is probably even nastier than the edge (in a medieval context it would certainly be against armor), it should be easy too hook joints of an opponent, and gripped near the head it must be very suitable for close quarter fighting, for cutting and punching

[kennethsime]

Warstein, thanks for the analysis! I agree, it felt very light and nimble in-hand.

I was recently introduced to these American Tomahawk Company tomahawks which are carried by DLT, my favorite vendor. The Model 1 is about 2" longer overall than the SOG fasthawk, and comes with a similar fighting edge and spike combo. The Model 2 has more of a beard to the main cutting edge, and a hammer on the end instead. Both are available with either an American Hickory handle or a Dupont Polymer handle. The hickory Model 1 is just 0.4oz heaver than the Fasthawk, while the Polymer about 5oz heavier.



Hmm... tempting. But also about 4x the price of the SOG.

[Bloke]

Love it!

Gun fights, knife fights, tomahawk fights ...

[kennethsime]

Love it!

Gun fights, knife fights, tomahawk fights ...

Just don't be that guy who brings a knife to a tomahawk fight, whatever you do.

[Bloke]

Love it!

Gun fights, knife fights, tomahawk fights ...

Just don't be that guy who brings a knife to a tomahawk fight, whatever you do.

Ah, hahaha, ah, hahaha, ah, hahaha!

[JD Spydo]

Warstein, thanks for the analysis! I agree, it felt very light and nimble in-hand.

I was recently introduced to these American Tomahawk Company tomahawks which are carried by DLT, my favorite vendor. The Model 1 is about 2" longer overall than the SOG fasthawk, and comes with a similar fighting edge and spike combo. The Model 2 has more of a beard to the main cutting edge, and a hammer on the end instead. Both are available with either an American Hickory handle or a Dupont Polymer handle. The hickory Model 1 is just 0.4oz heaver than the Fasthawk, while the Polymer about 5oz heavier.

That's the first I've heard of "American Tomahawk". The one in the pic sure looks to be well built. Sometimes it's the smaller companies that put out the higher quality.

I've seen a couple of SOG's tomahawks and I really wasn't all that impressed.

[Wartstein]

....

That's the first I've heard of "American Tomahawk". The one in the pic sure looks to be well built. Sometimes it's the smaller companies that put out the higher quality.

I've seen a couple of SOG's tomahawks and I really wasn't all that impressed.

Right, from all I know "American Tomahawks" must be of better quality than SOG's... but the SOG Fasthawk is really good for the money they ask, though of limited value strictly as a tool.
Never had any other SOG hawk (I think they only have one other version, basically a "Fasthawk XL")

[standy99]

https://youtu.be/Jm1b4-3crVg





Picked up one of these a few years ago and love it. Last cyclone clean up it was so much fun I didn’t even get the chainsaw out.

[JRinFL]

American Tomahawk Company has been around for years. I believe this is the second or third "version" of the company. I have a couple of their older models, but I have never used them. These new models seem to be significant upgrades over the ones I have, although they look a bit heavier. Mind you, I don't know if there is a real weight difference, just going by looks. I remember reading about Peter Lagana and him wanting a fast light 'hawk. It was never meant to be a hatchet.

[JD Spydo]

American Tomahawk Company has been around for years. I believe this is the second or third "version" of the company. I have a couple of their older models, but I have never used them. These new models seem to be significant upgrades over the ones I have, although they look a bit heavier. Mind you, I don't know if there is a real weight difference, just going by looks. I remember reading about Peter Lagana and him wanting a fast light 'hawk. It was never meant to be a hatchet.

Well this must be a case of a company being hidden in plain view. I can't believe with all the knife magazines I've read over the years that I had not ever heard "American Tomahawk" before. But on the other hand I had never heard of Al Mar knife and about 3 other great knife companies before I got into Spyderco and Benchmade.

Oh well I guess I need to get out more often . So "JR" how would you rate your older "American Tomahawk" tools on a 1 to 10 scale? I'll sure be looking for one at thrift stores, estate sales and other sources. They sure look interesting.

[JRinFL]

American Tomahawk Company has been around for years. I believe this is the second or third "version" of the company. I have a couple of their older models, but I have never used them. These new models seem to be significant upgrades over the ones I have, although they look a bit heavier. Mind you, I don't know if there is a real weight difference, just going by looks. I remember reading about Peter Lagana and him wanting a fast light 'hawk. It was never meant to be a hatchet.

Well this must be a case of a company being hidden in plain view. I can't believe with all the knife magazines I've read over the years that I had not ever heard "American Tomahawk" before. But on the other hand I had never heard of Al Mar knife and about 3 other great knife companies before I got into Spyderco and Benchmade.

Oh well I guess I need to get out more often . So "JR" how would you rate your older "American Tomahawk" tools on a 1 to 10 scale? I'll sure be looking for one at thrift stores, estate sales and other sources. They sure look interesting.

My older ATC is very good, but I would not pay a premium for a used one. The current models look to be produced to a higher standard. Not to mention all the bad blood over the original co-owner of the company. The current company has to be an improvement.

[kennethsime]

The topic of tomahawks came up today in one of the Bark River Facebook groups and the guys at Thorson Forge were highly recommended by all.

They come in even higher than those ATC hawks, but they’ve got some really cool designs. Lord knows I’m not spending that much on a Tomahawk right now, but very cool none-the-less. All hand-forged, and lots of Viking-influenced designs.

[max808]

newest melee weapon arrived today.

Sweet! Looks like some of the throwing blades out of central Afrika, ngombe and such...

[JRinFL]

I'm contemplating making my own trench mace using either a large hex nut or salvaged gear combined with a hickory hammer handle. I know I can just buy one from ATC, but the original trench maces were field made. As to why I want to make one the answer is "'cuz".

[max808]

This one is starting to grow some natural spyderteeth

Likely made from a discarded leaf spring back in the day, used for tribal executions.

[TomAiello]

I've seen a couple of SOG's tomahawks and I really wasn't all that impressed.

I own the SOG fast hawk, and have spent many hours throwing it in the back yard with my kids. It's taken a ton of abuse, and still provides good entertainment.

I'm not using it in life threatening situations or emergencies, but for what I do (chucking it at targets in the back yard, frequently missing, accidentally slamming it into the pavement on the patio, etc), it's perfect. I wouldn't want a nicer (and more expensive) tool for this stuff.