Spyderco Tomahawk?

[Koen Z]

I think the opposite end mainly has to function to keep the hawk in balance, and maybe secondly as an hammer, nothing more.

An hawk is a very sophisticated tool. I don't think you can incorporate much functions without affecting it's ability to chop outstanding. because that is what we want, isn't it?

[Ookami]

I see some problems with the multi-tool approach:

- for some functions (prying) the hawk would have to be made sturdier and thus heavier
- some functions require added material (crowbar butt), again increasing weight
- anything that the main blade is used for except cutting/chopping will require a more obtuse edge (digging) meaning less performance
- re Atwood: what would I need hexagonal holes or screwdriver blades for in the out of doors?

I am not against added functionality per se. However, I am against it if it adds unnecessary weight or reduces the performance of the primary function (=chopping/cutting). Furthermore, the feasibility of additional functions should be taken into consideration; while nail-pullers might be great for shingling hatchets they are not that much needed for outdoor hawks.


Ookami

[skunk_2]

ive become more and more interested in axes over the past year or so, i bought a gransfors bruks 'small forest axe' about a year ago now, and saying i love it wont do it Justis, i frankly love their designs. i refurbished an old elwell hatchet, (used my GB and :spyder: bushcraft to carve a 11-12" basic handle from birch, i should post a few pics) for a weekend project, and am looking for old axe heads all the time, plus i have a few GB's and a wetterlings on my radar!

anyway, the more i think about it, maybe a spyderco belt axe could be something ppl may be interested in, 1/2 pound head and 10" handle kind of thing. GB makes a mini hatchet, here is a bit about it from GB's site;

-"a little hatchet which can be used as an axe and a knife. The roots of Gränsfors Mini Belt Hatchet go back many thousand years. In the old days in Europe it was common to carry a belt axe which could be used as a knife and an axe, a valuable tool and a weapon. A nice belt axe was also a symbol of status. In the 16th and 17th century, the French began trading axes with the American Indians. The small Belt Axe, light and narrow, become the "trade axe" and was transformed into the tomahawk. But Gränsfors Mini Belt Hatchet is neither a tomahawk nor a scaled down axe."

and from a review;
-"It's small, light and perfectly balanced. It can sharpen a pencil, slice a tomato paper thin, and shave the print right off this page. It will frizz sticks for tinder; cut fine kindling and split small logs. It will fillet a fish, skin a moose, tenderize a steak, turn your pancakes, spread jam and peanut butter; pound tent stakes and chop vegetables. And it will ride as lightly on your hip as the average hunting knife."

i like the sound of that dont you?! :D this is a tool that the market isnt exactly flooded with, and i bet sal or eric could come up with a great design under this concept!! seems like a great alternative to a big knife for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors.

[TrojanDonkey]

I have shot Estwing a few emails a few years ago about making a good Tomahawk-they never responded.Didn't think of Spyderco at the time..I would prefer it to be versatile.I wouldn't want just a fighting tactical killer weapon Hawk.In my opinion if it can cut a hole in a wall or chop a tree down and split emergency firewood it is an OK weapon to start with.If it is light enough to carry and able to be thrown but still chop it would be a great survival tool.And cool.

[sal]

Hi Trojan,

Funny you would bring this up now. We were just loaned a "sample" of what a customer thought was ideal, except in quality. We've received a ton of info, especially from Ookami, which we've just been too snowed to study.

The project is still on the drawing board, albeit slower. Our goal is still to create the perfct tomahawk as a "tool" to carry in the bush. Very high performer, light, safe, user friendly. "Too good to not bring when going into the bush".

sal

[dbcad]

This will be something to keep an eye on. See what happens over the next year or so.

Thanks for the input Sal :)

Charlie

[cougar337]

I would really like to see what Spyderco comes up with. I would be one of the first ones in the table to get one

[Ookami]

I recently found this site (Hungarian, anyone?):
http://bozotmives.hu/cikk.php?cid=70&r= ... 95e30ab4cc

I don't know what it says, b/c my Hungarian is limited to ordering beer (really useful for a non-beer-drinker like me :o ) and shopping for bread. Maybe s.o. can help.

Be that as it may, the fokos featured in the last part of the page:
http://www.bozotmives.hu//fckeditor/cik ... os_015.jpg
somehow really strikes a chord with me as a nice crossover between a hatchet and a tomahawk. It seems to be good at whittling as well as splitting, the blade has a nice curve and a beard for choking up. It has a hammer poll and uses the typical (for a tomahawk) friction fit to hold the head in place. The size also seems to be a good compromise between portability and usefulness.


Ookami

[Ookami]

Any news? It has been a while since the last post...


Ookami

[Peter1960]

Thanks for pushing this thread, Ookami.

[Peter1960]

"Too good to not bring when going into the bush".

That is music in my ears ... just a reminder :)

[Visual Articulation]

I love hatchets and hawks!!! Ever since i can recall they where in load outs that went along with fun learning experiences. Even after my buddy sharpened his hatchet went to chop wood at a camp out he was on and cleanly lopped off his thumb as the hatchet made easy work of the kindling and that thumb. (they where able to sew it back on in th ER!) a spydie version probly woulda left even a smaller scar and such. Go SpydieHawk!

[sal]

Hi Ookami,

Thanx for the reminder. We're still interested. Just been too busy to dive into that one. We've collected a lot of information (thanx to you and others here), but we've got quite a few projects in-the-works and we don't like to move too fast or we screw things up and make mistakes.

sal

[RedRunner]

... Our goal is still to create the perfct tomahawk as a "tool" to carry in the bush. Very high performer, light, safe, user friendly. "Too good to not bring when going into the bush".

sal

With three sentences, and Spyderco's great track record, I am sold. I'll be ordering one of these when it's announced. Sounds pretty awesome without ever seeing it. How do you do that in three sentences? :D

[defenestrate]

As always, Sal, I look forward to hearing more about the project when there is more to share, but certainly not at the expense of doing things right. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ookami]

we've got quite a few projects in-the-works and we don't like to move too fast or we screw things up and make mistakes.

I think nobody would be satisfied with a sub-par product that hits stores next week. Taking the time to make things right is part of the :spyder: appeal for me.

To further educate you and the :spyder: crew, as well as the participants in this thread, here are two very good films:

http://www.archive.org/details/gov.usda ... 1-mtdc.1.1

http://www.archive.org/details/gov.usda ... 1-mtdc.1.2


Ookami

[chuck_roxas45]

Woot! Tomahawk!

[Ookami]

Another random idea to adress the handle length issue, how about an extendable handle like on the Glock entrenching tool?

Here's a pic:
http://www.raeer.com/images/full/66263i ... ten-GL.gif

Should also work with elliptic handles. Question is, will it hold up, ie not break or collapse during use?


Ookami

[Määd]

I recently found this site (Hungarian, anyone?):
http://bozotmives.hu/cikk.php?cid=70&r= ... 95e30ab4cc

I don't know what it says, b/c my Hungarian is limited to ordering beer (really useful for a non-beer-drinker like me :o ) and shopping for bread. Maybe s.o. can help.

Be that as it may, the fokos featured in the last part of the page:
http://www.bozotmives.hu//fckeditor/cik ... os_015.jpg
somehow really strikes a chord with me as a nice crossover between a hatchet and a tomahawk. It seems to be good at whittling as well as splitting, the blade has a nice curve and a beard for choking up. It has a hammer poll and uses the typical (for a tomahawk) friction fit to hold the head in place. The size also seems to be a good compromise between portability and usefulness.


Ookami
________
Cougar (europe)

Höjj!
The "FOKOS" is an ancient Hungarian arms, which is thousands of years our ancestors used to punch the enemy's head. Peace-time work becomes an instrument, mainly used for livestock farmers. Lots of variations are known. Usability of the tool shows that the present everyday use. Strongly linked to the Hungarian people: a few years ago it was customary to primary school children in the school at the end of a stylized "fokos" and "tarisznya" were a way of life.
I have too :)

"Munkafokos": axe for work
"Harci fokos": axe for battle

(Sorry for the bad language use, I hope you understand.)

[bartvdb]

i am very intrested by the idea of a spyder-axe (so people can use the right tool for the job and don't abuse our beloved spydy's ) greeetzzz

i see it already in a kydex-sheet with some lanyard's on it ; niceeee