Spyderco Tomahawk?

[A.P.F.]

I think that one must carefully define a target market. For a 'bushman' or trekker, it doesn't get any better than a Wetterlings Small Axe.



For those looking for a 'hawk' as a display or 'combat' piece, the market is littered with variations. I think that nowadays, a company should not stray very far from it's roots. Spyderco is unsurpassed with it's knives and remains so with it's innovative designs and material variety. I can't help but feel that throwing a 'hawk' into the mix, is tantamount to a Ford dealership selling Honda generators.

[Blerv]

True.

However, I think a camp axe of some type gives Spyderco a chance to try out new features and technology. The Spydersaw was before my time but many people claim it's one of the best folding "one handable" saws on the market.

Seeing if you can do something is not always the same as betting the farm. I doubt they would gain any negative press in the attempt. Benchmade, Strider, SOG and others have made them already.

[Ookami]

For a 'bushman' or trekker, it doesn't get any better than a Wetterlings Small Axe.

You must not confuse your opinion with fact. :p

I had a Wetterlings Wildlife Model and the head was pretty good: sharpened up well, held a great edge. However, the handle was definitely too short for me. The Wildlife was good for crafts projects and probably also for hunting (I am not a hunter), but not sufficient (for me at least) as a camping tool.

That's why I am currently using a CS Trailhawk, which is not as sophisticated (dropforged vs hand forged), but works better for me. With only a little more weight you get much more reach and thus swing. This is further enhanced by the possibility of two handed use. A wetterlings of the same length would be considerably heavier than a tomahawk. Also you can replace the handle more easily on a tomahawk in a SHTF situation.

That's why quite a few people (including Sal) in this thread feel that this project has merit.


Ookami

PS: If Spyderco had not ventured into the unknown they'd still be making sharpeners, they would not have made knives, or even collaboration models, fixed blades, ethnic designs, or multitools. I think Spyderco can make a good product this time, too, just like they did before.

[Koen Z]

.......
When you go out in the "bush" for a "walkabout", we'd like you to want to carry one of our hawks. I'd like to want to carry one myself. Light, very effective, easy to use and transport. (in a suitcase for a trip to hike or camp).
.......

I have been thinking about the tomahawk in the past few weeks, and if you want to take the hawk with you to the bush it indeed has to be light and easy to transport.

Very effective and easy to use makes it a little more complicated because you need kenetic energy while chopping. While practicing for Bladesports NLD I learn something about chopping and control.
Kenetic energy = 0.5 x mass x speed²
So speed is much more inportant for your results than the mass of the hawk. I think a small head with a relative long and light handle will work, the classic pattern.
I think the best shape for this hawk is thin and convex. Thick enough to chop with, but thin enough to cut good. It must be possible to whittle wood with it. There are enough axes made to cut sheet metal. The Spyderco hawk will not be made for that.

By the way, I don't think SE will work :D

Materials? Hmm that’s not easy. Carbon steel and wooden handle will work very good, but there are so much hawks like that. A Syntetic handle and a tough modern steel? CPM 3V or M4? You need very thick stock , that will cost a lot. And such steels are not very forgeable I think…

Sal, how will it be produced? Forged? Cast? Machined?

[Ookami]

It is also my understanding, that the more % of alloying elements a steel contains it will be that much harder to forge.

Somebody in the know please correct me if I am wrong. :confused:


Ookami

[texcaliber]

I would love to see a spyderco tomahawk, the best I have seen to date would be from this man http://www.hogtoothknives.com/. He has a small business but makes unmatched edges.

tex

[texcaliber]

sorry for some reason his site is down.

[oregon]

My new throwing hawk: Made by Bruce Joham, AKA "3J" as his brand, in the USA (Southern Oregon, Medford area, 5415316947).

I had the honor of meeting 3J at a show this year in Medford, OR. He was walking around talking to his admirers with a dozen hawks in one hand. What a thrill to finally meet this craftsman after enjoying his hawks for decades (he makes other edged tools as well).

It is great fun to throw a hawk with as much force as I can muster and have it stick. Practice enough and you can stick a throwing knife into the handle of a hawk at distance, on occasion. I've broken several handles but never a head. Bruce reinforces the blade behind the edge and in front of the handle. Brilliant.







oregon, who has thrown hawks, knives and spears in a violent manner

[Ookami]

I somehow get the feeling that my emails don't get through... :confused:

@Sal: I can see that you are always busy and may not have gotten around to replying, but did you at least get them?


Ookami

[sal]

Hi Ookami,

Yes, I've received them. A lot of good info. Thanx much.

My very aggressive travel schedule this year has prevented study. We have 50+ new models in the works, combined with travel has pushed some things aside.

I was probably premature to begin the tomahawk project when I did. I'm still interested, but will not be able to pick it up until later in the year.

Light, very effective performer, safe, reliable, user friendly....The piece that you are sure to grab when going into the bush, just because it works so well.

sal

[Lord vader]

I cant wait to see the tomahawk.

[Blerv]

I'll take a "maybe" or "eventually" over the standard non-response of corporate any day :)

Thanks for being transparent (within reason) to your business logic Sal. It's not necessary but rare and highly appreciated.

[sal]

Hi Blerv.

Thanx.

The goal is to be consistent like the sun and transparent like the air. From this behavior, trust is developed. Trust is the bottom line in all transactions (product or relationships).

sal

[Ookami]

Thanks for the heads up, I was already kind of desperate. :o


Ookami

[Koen Z]

Allright.

The big chief hasn't got the time at this moment, so we can brainstorm a little further!

I think we want a light, thin ground tomahawk with a relative long handle.
Somebody any idea about the numbers? weight, handle length, cutting edge length etcetera?

[jabba359]

Could we please get the hawk with a Taiwan-style textured CF handle and the head made of a spyderedged H1 core, clad in Damasteel's Grosse Rosen? :p Oh yeah, and it needs a spyderhole too! :D

/JOKING

But for real, I'd love to see a Spyderco-made camping hatchet/axe/hawk (I'm not educated enough on the subtleties to know what the difference between these 3 are)! However, you guys make it and I'll buy it!

[druid]

it seems to me from what I've read, that the Tomahawk sal has in mind is not a long handled tactical weapon type tomahawk personally I wouldn't mind seeing such a thing but I don't think that's the direction they're going. I think we're looking at more a high-tech ultralightweight AXE with a short hand a well honed but responsibly stout edge, and probably some multipurpose refinements along the lines of some kind of an integrated prybar nail puller Hammer pick shovel small integrated blade sharpening system etc.

[Ookami]

... and probably some multipurpose refinements along the lines of some kind of an integrated prybar nail puller Hammer pick shovel small integrated blade sharpening system etc.

A SpydeRench on a stick? I don't know what to think about that...


Ookami

[druid]

I don't mean to suggest that the spyderco ax be all of those things but maybe one or two as appropriate

[Blerv]

I don't mind the concept.

Of course not as the "Swiss Army Knife" aspect. Still, as Peter Atwood has shown us you can integrate quite a bit of utility without removing aesthetic quality.

I could see a chisel ground 1 or 2 inch nub on the opposing end. It's not necessary but wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me buying it. It could even come in handy for something I wouldn't want to use the head on (knocking a pad lock off in an emergency, etc).

Yes, but put a compass, tanto spike, or chrome bottle opener on the other end and I'd pass.