Cold Steel Tomahawk - any experience?

SpartanMan · Jul 30, 2002

What kind of quality are the Cold Steel Tomahawks? I am especially interested in the Vietnam Tomahawk.
I am in the market for a Tomahawk for camp chores as well as for possible self-defense use. I have looked at the ATC numbers and they look good, but are very pricey.
How well do the CS 'hawks throw? Chop? Fight? Do they hold together or fall apart?
Another consideration is the Gerber Camp Axe. Anyone know anything about these. Same questions apply.
Which would you pick.
Any info you have I would appreciate. Thanks.
SpartanMan

Brian C · Jul 30, 2002

Quite a bit has been written about Cold Steels Tomahawks. Try a search of the Axe, Tomahawk, & Hatchet Forum for most of them & a search of ATC's forum for a comparison of the Vietnam model. FWIW, my experience agrees with that of most others -- poor edge geometry & very shoddy head-to-haft fit (throw, reseat head, throw, reseat head, repeat as necessary).

fudo · Jul 30, 2002

CS hawks-cheap and cheaply built. Don't waste the time. Try a hawk from Ragweed Forge.

misque · Jul 30, 2002

I agree with Brian C.'s assesment. It's pretty spot on.

I have belt sanders so I applied the proper edge geometry on my Riflemen's 'hawk and it holds an edge reasonably well now. Sticks better too.
The head to haft fit is a real PITA.
I resorted to shims and nails to help alleviate that problem but it still wasn't a complete cure.

I wouldn't even call CS 'hawks "The poor man's ATC".

Daniel L · Jul 31, 2002

I thought the CS VT had been discontinued? Anyhow - I do have one and they have to be reground before they do any decent amount of hacking. And drill a lanyard hole to make it more secure. I'm new to throwing but it threw well and stuck well for for. I have chopped with it, but like any small hatchet, you need to be precise - I prefer my kukri for that.

Overall - not bad for the money - I was thinking about getting some of the Taylor Cutlery ones to use as cheap throwers - but I am very sure the ATC version is waaay better - I can't personally justify the expense (yet) but plan to one day. Honestly I don't find the CS VT that useful - I don't know if that is because of the CS repro or the design itself. I'll have to get an ATC to prove the difference

Cheers,

pinar2966 · Jul 31, 2002

I have a cs rifelman the balance is crap for throwing
but it si a good all around camping hawk but nowear near atc spend
the extra money on a atc I love my rr spike it throws well
chops well it really does everything well plus andy is a great guy to
deal with the customer service is way better with atc......

Yojimbo · Aug 1, 2002

The CS Vietnam Tomahawk is no ATC but for $25 it's good as beater and first hawk while I'm saving for the ATC!!!

Here's how mine looks before and after some mods.

Logan1 · Aug 4, 2002

I saw one of the Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawks at a gunshow yesterday. I handled it for a bit and was not impressed. I think the knife dealer wanted $45. It did come with some type of sheath, but I can't remember what material. The whole tomahawk was painted OD green. This was a new Tomahawk and the head was loose. It seemed like it was not made very well, mainly because of the head to handle being loose. I have not seen the ATC hawks yet but will get one someday.

Yojimbo · Aug 5, 2002

Logan1,

The one you saw does sound like crap! Not to mention they were charging $45!!! I would have passed on that POS too! The only problem I had with mine was that the edges were dull and I thought the handle was too slippery with paint they used. I've since corrected these issues and I'm pretty happy with it now.

The one I have is directly from Cold Steel for $25 and there is no movement in the head and handle even after 100 plus throws, cutting a bunch decking nails in half and demolishing a cinderblock

, OK I was bored... Again, it's no ATC but I think it's great for what I paid. Though I do think if it was an ATC I would have to think twice about trying the crap I did. Not that I think the ATC couldn't do it but I feel better beating up a $25 hawk than $165 one.

Regards,

Chris

TantoMaster · Aug 6, 2002

I don't have the Vietnam Hawk but I do have the CS Trail Hawk. It's the little fella. It's really small and light, but it has just enough weight to do the job. I use it for a camp hawk. Drives tent stakes, and chops small trees and limbs pretty well. It was fairly dull on arrival but took a nice edge and holds it well. It's not a bad thrower either. I can make it stick most of the time now, after a little bit of practice. The handle is still tight too. All in all for $25 direct from the www.LTSPECPRO.com site it is not bad.