RMJ Tactical - Little bird 2015 (Great Deal!)

T

The Last Confederate

Joined
Aug 29, 2015
Messages
25
RMJ has just put up their once a year "little bird" tomahawk for sale this past week. I had never heard of it before, I just accidently stumbeled across it while looking at their site. Apparently, this is a new yearly tradition with last year being the first time they've offered it.

Ever year it is a different design, looking back I am not crazy about last years design, but this design really looks nice.

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I called in to inquire about the specs. Length is 13.5", weighs ~ 24 ounces, and is .285" thick (sturdy!). I believe they said the blade was like 3.5" long with a ~ 3" long spike. Made out of the same deferentially hardened 4140 as their other hawks. Also, it comes with a kydex sheath!

All for only $275, which is almost $200 cheaper than their normal hawks. It reminds me of their pathfinder hawk, with the extra wide head for better chopping, and a better spike!

A really great deal for anyone who ever wanted an RMJ, which is considered to be the "grail" of modern tomahawks but was turned off by the price.

Anyone here who has any experience with last years "little bird" care to comment?

There is a good video with it Here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyDpW1dzJ_c

[video=youtube;qyDpW1dzJ_c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyDpW1dzJ_c[/video]
 
I wanted to get in on one of these so badly but just don't have the money since I've been saving for a house. These are a great deal tho, same great rmj quality and practicality just without the bells and whistles. One of these days I'll pick up either one of these or a Jenny to keep my kestrel company.
 
Congrats on your score! I have one from last year's run. It's my favorite hawk, and I have several others from different brands. It's just very versatile, and can be used for everything from camp work, to light breaching, and even cleaving meat and bone. The handles on the new model look a bit more grippy, and look like g10, rather than the micarta they used last year. What I like about last years are the big holes they put into the handle--it lightens the hawk up a bit. Either way though, excellent design and an excellent price; if you don't own a hawk yet, this is probably the last one you'll ever need. :thumbup:
 
Ha, that is not my score, just stock photos from the site. I am actually strapped for cash at the moment myself, but I did want to pass that deal along to the members here because it truly is a great one! I really like this years design, I think ~ 13.5" is the perfect length for a hawk (find 12" and under too small) and I like that it has a longer spike than before.

Also, I think that this model may have holes underneath the g10 scales also, they just aren't visible (reduces machining time on the handles). There is no way an axe that is over .25 thick with a larger head and overall length than last years bird weighs only 24 ounces without extra weight reduction holes!
 
Wow, what a racket. I used to work at a steel fab shop that had cnc torches, laser cutters, grinders etc.. I am pretty sure they could throw a piece of plate on the machine and cut these things out like making cookies at christmas for very little. The laser could cut the handle material too and the rivet holes. Somebody is making a lot of money selling some very easily made consumer goods here.

To me these are a far, far cry from a forged head put onto a wooden handle as was done in the late 19th and early-mid 20th centuries. I suppose those who have never made a living with their hands or with tools, or those educated in manufacturing would be easily impressed with cookie-cutter crap like this, but knowing what I know I would never be.

If it is so easy why don't I go back to my old shop and do it? Because I have a conscience for one and would feel pretty bad bilking someone out of hundreds of dollars, and I sure would not want my name on it either. If I could not beat an axe head out of red-hot steel on an anvil and put it on a hand-made handle what is the point? Especially when I can go buy a classic 20th century hatchet or axe for a few dollars at a yard sale locally and have something that is a lot closer to being art than this stuff will ever be.
 
gben said:
Wow, what a racket. I used to work at a steel fab shop that had cnc torches, laser cutters, grinders etc.. I am pretty sure they could throw a piece of plate on the machine and cut these things out like making cookies at christmas for very little. The laser could cut the handle material too and the rivet holes. Somebody is making a lot of money selling some very easily made consumer goods here.

To me these are a far, far cry from a forged head put onto a wooden handle as was done in the late 19th and early-mid 20th centuries. I suppose those who have never made a living with their hands or with tools, or those educated in manufacturing would be easily impressed with cookie-cutter crap like this, but knowing what I know I would never be.

If it is so easy why don't I go back to my old shop and do it? Because I have a conscience for one and would feel pretty bad bilking someone out of hundreds of dollars, and I sure would not want my name on it either. If I could not beat an axe head out of red-hot steel on an anvil and put it on a hand-made handle what is the point? Especially when I can go buy a classic 20th century hatchet or axe for a few dollars at a yard sale locally and have something that is a lot closer to being art than this stuff will ever be.
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I'll make the popcorn!
 
gben said:
Wow, what a racket. I used to work at a steel fab shop that had cnc torches, laser cutters, grinders etc.. I am pretty sure they could throw a piece of plate on the machine and cut these things out like making cookies at christmas for very little. The laser could cut the handle material too and the rivet holes. Somebody is making a lot of money selling some very easily made consumer goods here.

To me these are a far, far cry from a forged head put onto a wooden handle as was done in the late 19th and early-mid 20th centuries. I suppose those who have never made a living with their hands or with tools, or those educated in manufacturing would be easily impressed with cookie-cutter crap like this, but knowing what I know I would never be.

If it is so easy why don't I go back to my old shop and do it? Because I have a conscience for one and would feel pretty bad bilking someone out of hundreds of dollars, and I sure would not want my name on it either. If I could not beat an axe head out of red-hot steel on an anvil and put it on a hand-made handle what is the point? Especially when I can go buy a classic 20th century hatchet or axe for a few dollars at a yard sale locally and have something that is a lot closer to being art than this stuff will ever be.
Click to expand...

Of course you're forgetting about employees, shop, overhead, etc, etc. You should probably learn a little about the owner and his products, before going on a lame rant about costs and such,,,
 
I had last years model, along with a Jenny Wren and a Shrike.
I'm a fan of their products but I ended up returning the Little Bird because it just didn't feel right to me without a swell at the end of the handle. It's a small gripe but the JW has one and it feels like it was made for me, the LB is heavier and longer and just really felt like it needed the swell to feel secure while swinging.
The Shrike doesn't have a swell but the length of the handle and smaller head combined with the handle design make it feel just fine for me.
That said, the fit and finish were RMJ top notch. The sheath was perfect, and it came sharp.
I think this years model is a touch longer than last years, I'm tempted to give it a try.

For the presidency cr they're well worth giving one a try and I hope that you enjoy it.
 
trukreltrog said:
Of course you're forgetting about employees, shop, overhead, etc, etc. You should probably learn a little about the owner and his products, before going on a lame rant about costs and such,,,
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I did not forget any of that. All you have to do is look at the large number of hand-forged axes, hatchets and yes even "hawks" for sale at the same price or for half or quarter the price which have much more hand-work and labor into them than this CNC cookie-cutter product, and you know it is simply a case of marketers taking advantage of a fashion trend. You don't even have to have the experience I do working in a heavy metal fab shop with all the tools to make junk exactly like this very quickly and cheaply.

All the companies that sell hand-forged products for the same price or much, much less have all the same overhead as any other company.

The cheap appearance and CNC look this has is something I would expect to run across at Harbor Freight.

Maybe it is made out of good steel and will last someone a lifetime, but there is certainly far, far less craftsmanship in this than a forged tool, if you can even call the operators of CAD and CNC equipment craftsman. It looks like something a hipster would take to Yogi Bear's campsite in a bloated SUV that they also paid far too much for.
 
You should set aside your conscience and show us all how it's done.
 
I own a few hand forged Hawks and an rmj kestrel they are different but not lesser I would deal with rmj again 100% they have amazing customer service they sell an amazing product and they back up what they do. You need to get one in your hands before you make these judgements.
 
gben said:
I did not forget any of that. All you have to do is look at the large number of hand-forged axes, hatchets and yes even "hawks" for sale at the same price or for half or quarter the price which have much more hand-work and labor into them than this CNC cookie-cutter product, and you know it is simply a case of marketers taking advantage of a fashion trend. You don't even have to have the experience I do working in a heavy metal fab shop with all the tools to make junk exactly like this very quickly and cheaply.

All the companies that sell hand-forged products for the same price or much, much less have all the same overhead as any other company.

The cheap appearance and CNC look this has is something I would expect to run across at Harbor Freight.

Maybe it is made out of good steel and will last someone a lifetime, but there is certainly far, far less craftsmanship in this than a forged tool, if you can even call the operators of CAD and CNC equipment craftsman. It looks like something a hipster would take to Yogi Bear's campsite in a bloated SUV that they also paid far too much for.
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Make us some cheap hawks with the same quality materials then. By all means, it's not like we would begrudge you for it.

On topic: I like it. Looks sort of Kangee-ish and I wish RMJ actually made a high end Kangee model. I love my cheap CRKT version.
 
Thanks for posting this T.L.C. :thumbup:

This years Little Bird design it outstanding and is going to be a great woods tool.
 
I recently acquired last years model to add to my Jenny Wren. I wanted this years model but couldn't pass the deal up. I'd wanted the Little Bird since they began production last year. RMJ is a awesome and local company and I love their smaller Hawks.

 
10X-Shooter said:
I recently acquired last years model to add to my Jenny Wren. I wanted this years model but couldn't pass the deal up. I'd wanted the Little Bird since they began production last year. RMJ is a awesome and local company and I love their smaller Hawks.

Click to expand...

Do you miss the swell at the butt of the handle on the Little Bird? Does it ever make chopping feel unstable or that it could "fly out" of your hands?
Thanks
 
MattinLA said:
Do you miss the swell at the butt of the handle on the Little Bird? Does it ever make chopping feel unstable or that it could "fly out" of your hands?
Thanks
Click to expand...

While I do like the feel, swell, and balance of the Jenny Wren much better it doesn't make me come nicer need it's going to fly out. If I could only carry one it would be the Jenny but I sure do like having both.
 
These 2015 Little birds started shipping this week.

Post your pics as they arrive.
 
Best Hawk I have held / owned in a long time.

This one is going to replace one of my others for woods work and Deer processing.

The G10 scales are so grippy this is not coming out of your hand on the swing. The taper of the handles is outstanding, hard to explain until its felt in hand.

Weight balance is perfect, just before the scales start, providing a nice forward weight.

Hawk came razor sharp and grind lines are perfect.

The kydex sheath is beefy and comes with belt loops, much thicker than the kydex I am used to seeing.

Choking up for close work is so natural feeling.

I can't put this thing down, it's awesome :thumbup:

Thanks RMJ

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Mine is on the way, my only qualm with them so far is that they chose not to serial number them this year. I was hoping to get a matching one to my 2014 Little Bird. Super excited for it to get here though!
 
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