Sidearms & Scatterguns Hawks

Pathkiller

Pathkiller

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 10, 2020
103
128
#1
I like tomahawks, usually always have one somewhere near. I know the uses are limited but they just feel right in my hand.

My brother made this one for me...
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This one was made by a friend, Dan Winkler...
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I have several others that I've cobbled together but I wonder if there are others that have this bit of obsession?
 
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#4
ReaperMedic said:
Nothing nearly so nice. I have an Estwing Hawk that I beat the shit out of on the regular. For a practical niche tool it is extremely practical. I'd feel bad working over one of your hawks.
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Brian and Dan both made these for hard use but while I've used Dan's some I just can't bring myself to beat them up too much. This was actually Brian's first forging so it's kind of an heirloom piece for me.

The Estwings are a great tool I've put quite a few miles on one myself.

Another great one is the CRKT Kangee, it hits far above it's price level. Full tang, SK5 steel and a well designed G10 grip frame.
IMG_2531_heic-X2.jpg
 
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#14
Coffee_and_Pipes said:
I have an H and B Forge tomahawk that I’ve enjoyed throwing or using when camping. That tomahawk your brother forged is a good looking piece.

View attachment 7422568
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Thank you sir, I like it a lot and I'm proud of his work. One thing I really appreciate in his design that I haven't seen much in commercial hawks is that he tear dropped the shaft and used ironwood with a very tight grain. It indexes perfectly and he used an old moccasin to make the lanyard.

I love the bevel on that H&B.

2020010421494472-2498226384048648565-IMG_1932_heic-X2.jpg
 
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#16
Bump with a humble addition. Just cut one of my CS Trail Hawks to 15” and wrapped it in grip and athletic tape. Much better handling now being shorter and lighter (22 to 19.875). Definitely want to pick up a CRKT Rune now and (eventually) an RMJ/DW one.

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#19
PBWalsh said:
@Starbuck

How would you compare the Wrinkler and RMJ hawks? How do you find the difference in handle length?

Fine taste sir.
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Thank you. They are all things of beauty. The fit and finish on both the Winklers and RMJ's is top shelf.

With respect to handle lengths, RMJ makes a number of different models with handle lengths from 18" (as with my Eagle Talon) down to 9.3" or so - I think their shortest is the Mini Jenny Wren, which I do not own. (The Jenny Wren and Mini Jenny are very cool as their heads are sharpened on five different sides).

Most of the Winklers have 13-14" handle lengths, but he too makes some shorties, such as the Hunter Axe and Stealth Axe, which are about 9" OAL.

Handle length is a personal preference. There are trade off such as mechanical leverage, ability to conceal, carry options, overall weight, and so on.
 
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#23
I agree - there's just something perfect about a quality hawk that feels just right and always goes along on the outings. While my HFB Viking has yet to draw the blood of thy enemy, it has done some superb work busting through the rib cages on a few moose and caribou over the years. By busting, I mean separating the ribs along the back during butchering, not as in hand to hand combat while taking the beast down. Someday maybe. :cool:
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#26
These are beautiful. But please school me on use/utility versus a quality framing hatchet. I like my choice for utility (good cutting edge, well balanced as hammer and hatchet, and covers many duties in the field), but I have never owned a tomahawk. These look too nice for what I do with my hatchet (and likely much more expensive to replace).

Regardless, very interesting thread.
 
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#31
That’s what makes me like my tops cheap shit. Feel nothing for making errors sharpening it. Later, I’d love a nice custom unit and I’ll be ready to care for it.
 
#33
@Starbuck

Quick follow up question. Can you compare the RMJ G10 handle (Eagle Talon) to the thermoplastic handle (S13)?

I like the protection of the S13, but I’ve never felt one in the hand (nor any RMJ).
 
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#34
PBWalsh said:
@Starbuck

Quick follow up question. Can you compare the RMJ G10 handle (Eagle Talon, Loggerhead, etc) to the thermoplastic handle (S13)?

I like the protection of the S13, but I’ve never felt one in the hand (nor any RMJ).
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The insulated handles on the Shrike and Loggerhead are rubber - there is a very slight "squishy" feel, which aids in vibration reduction. The RMJ G-10 handles are harder by comparison, and have a grippy texture, but not overly so.

Hope this helps - the "feel" of a tomahawk or a knife in one's hand is difficult to quantify.
 
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#35
Yeah, thats what I thought. I’d looking at the Kestrel Feather or S13 in my future (some day). Wish I could get a feel for both as its not a cheap purchase.

Don’t know how I’d like squishy...
 
#37
Love seeing all of these, just don't know enough about usage of the different types. Are there any of these that you purchase as a "safe queen" as opposed to buying one to actually use on a regular basis?
 
#42
PBWalsh said:
Safe queen... Half Faced Blades (not my pictures). I'm sure very functional, but do you really want to chop up stuff with these?
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Those are beautiful!. I can tell you if you do there is high chance you will screw up to top of those handles.

I dont know much about this maker. Are they impossible to get? Whats his customer service like?
 
#43
glock_nor_cal said:
Those are beautiful!. I can tell you if you do there is high chance you will screw up to top of those handles.

I dont know much about this maker. Are they impossible to get? Whats his customer service like?
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Andy's products are getting quite the following and as of now, are actually pretty hard to get!!!! Customer service, from my experience, is top notch. They are pricey. Very pricey. Life ain't cheap. If you can, and you want, you should. I've got a small pile of his blades and our daughter had one custom built that she saved up the money for herself. We use all of ours. Not abuse but, use. Butchering animals, woods work, etc.
 
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#45
inspcalahan said:
Andy's products are getting quite the following and as of now, are actually pretty hard to get!!!! Customer service, from my experience, is top notch. They are pricey. Very pricey. Life ain't cheap. If you can, and you want, you should. I've got a small pile of his blades and our daughter had one custom built that she saved up the money for herself. We use all of ours. Not abuse but, use. Butchering animals, woods work, etc.
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well I paid $600 for that Winkler Hawk. That’s pretty fucking expensive. How much are we talking for not a super gucci one like that?
 
#48
I’ve ordered two custom units. I’ve never had any issue or needed any follow up support. I heard someone once got a wrong unit. Only issue I’ve ever heard of.
 
#50
Remington_Steel said:
I’ve ordered two custom units. I’ve never had any issue or needed any follow up support. I heard someone once got a wrong unit. Only issue I’ve ever heard of.
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I use mine hard. I’m not a collector. I’ve snapped a handle scale and I had a heat treat issue one time and my axe had a slight bend. No customer service is a dealbreaker for me.
Daniel felt so bad about me having an issue he immediately loaned me 2 axes to use while he fixed mine. He’s got a customer for life.
 
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