Szabohawk - anyone have one? Pros/cons? How do you like it?

[DansGunBlog]

Hi there!

Eyeing the Szabohawk... would love to hear pros/cons from anyone who has or has handled one.

Thanks!
Dan

[Mushroom]

Hello Dan, I currently have two szabohawks and personally really enjoy the design. Even though it doesn't have an edge, it still manages to get some light work done in the woods and feels pretty good while doing so. For extensive woods use, I would imagine a bit more weight at the head would help a lot. I found the point towards the bottom of the "beard" useful while moving logs and fire wood, using it similarly to a "pickaroon."

I don't have much experience using it in a "tactical" sense, in the way someone like an LEO would use it. But from handling and using it, I would imagine it would be an incredible breaching tool! Would make short work of windows and doors if you needed to break or pry them open.

It's probably a bit heavier than one would want for hiking or backpacking, but I've brought it hiking and it wasn't much of an issue, if at all. It's a fun thrower too, if thats something you're interested in.

[DansGunBlog]

Hey Nick,

Thanks for the great feedback. Two?! You must like it indeed. :)

Sure enough, for woods work, even around the house, can't go wrong with a hefty hatchet / small axe. Unless weight is a concern lol. Recently got a forged steel Estwing 16" Camper's Axe - more of a small axe/ larget hatchet, weighing in just right at 3lbs. Shock reduction handle. Not beautiful in design and execution like a Spyderco by any means lol, but a good brute force tool for $40. Will do a brief review of it when i get around to it, but it's the kind of tool that's nice to have in the trunk and around the house. Good tools are force amplifiers.

That said, I'm rather intrigued by the smaller Szabohawk.

Wish the sheath was a carry/mounting sheath and not just a blade protector... how do you carry it? in the padded pouch? nice touch btw.

Thanks!
Dan

[Mushroom]

I agree, the pouch it comes with is a really nice touch! I would definitely store the Szabohawk in the pouch, but its a little large for me to carry around. Even with a backpack it might be too cumbersome. Also, its nice but I don't think theres any way to mount a tek lok to the boltaron sheath provided. I may be wrong about that though, Ive never tried.

The second one that I got was from the factory seconds sale and it didn't come with a sheath, so I made one for it. I always thought it would be cool if the factory sheath left the butt of the 'axe head' exposed, so it could still be used for something like pounding in stakes, but still have the blade portion covered for 'safety.'
(in sheath - how it fits in sheath)


When I carry it, I usually clip a carabiner to the large hole at the top and then attach it somewhere on my pack. I'll usually lace one of the straps from the pack over it as well, so its not dangling free. With the factory sheath, the top hole is'nt really accessible, so I would hang it from the bottom one.

I think you'd enjoy the Szabohawk for your intended use, but I would consider putting an edge on it first for best performance in the woods.

[DansGunBlog]

I always thought it would be cool if the factory sheath left the butt of the 'axe head' exposed, so it could still be used for something like pounding in stakes, but still have the blade portion covered for 'safety.'

^^ YES I wish it had a safe blade cover just like that...

Nice sheath! the one you made.

Cheers!