Talk me out of... or into a RMJ Shrike

eyeeatingfish

eyeeatingfish

Joined
Dec 9, 2003
Messages
4,804
I saw the RMJ shrike and I fell in love... with the tomahawk but not the price. My wife really does not love the price and not sure if she will ever order it for me.
I want one and my justification is for work mainly as I am a first responder. I figure it would be good at getting into cars and other places in an emergency. It would also serve to clear brush or trees when they fall into the road and such. It would also double as a hiking/camping hawk as it's second duty. Though it may not be needed when and if i get a 6" all around camp knife like a fallkniven A1 or ESEE 6. Third job would be for killing zombies.

I currently have a cold steel rifleman's hawk and thats all i have really known.

So what are your guyses thoughts?
I realize that with a spike it is not the best thing for camping, a hammer head would probably be more ideal but it doesn't seem like it would hurt the Shrike to hit a tent peg with the side of the head.
I am sure it isa good hawk but is there something else american made that might be just as good but at a much more reasonable price?
Would the small shrike be better than the full size?

A coworker had a similar idea but he bought one of those sort of wrecking hammers that are like hammers on steroids but not big enough to be a sledge hammer. The kind that can hammer and pry, one similar to this.
http://www.mcguckin.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_263&products_id=720

I am still mulling this purchase over. Have been for almost a year at least.
Thanks for the input.
 
I wouldn't buy one for three reasons:

- I am unconvinced that it would be able to do anything my current tomahawks cannot, which are much more affordable.

- It's much shorter than my preference. I have no use for a tomahawk less than 20" long, and given the full tang construction of the Shrike/Talon, I have no way to correct that issue.

- I'm a traditionalist and generally don't like modern "tactical" tomahawks. My idea of a tactical tomahawk would be something historical like a spontoon style tomahawk or missouri war axe.

I am sure it is a good hawk but is there something else american made that might be just as good but at a much more reasonable price?
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Indeed there is. Estwing.
 
I've got a Kestrel, a Talon and an Annihilator.
Now why didn't i get the Shrikes?

What do i like about the Shrikes?
- The insulation on the handle especially when you don't know what's behind the door
- drop-forged construction compared to stock removal; i'm still convinced somehow the earlier process is tad better for making a tough axe.
- At 3/4 tang construction, the weight is always front heavy which is a must for an all-rounder axe.

What DON'T i like about the Shrikes?
- Availability
- Not as bad ass as the Jenny Wren or their upcoming Crash axe.
- bit too short; Like Wolf said, 18" would be a good idea.

Having tested the Annihilator i would say it's more of a look than function. It's too heavy to wield around. I would really prefer a Stanley bar in this matter.
A company who stood by their products and services (Ryan, Richard, John, Steve and Kerry), they replaced my old kydex scabbard and scale on my Kestrel and have it send across the other side of globe which i only have to pay shipping. I am very impressed and honored.
 
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Checked the missouri war axe and the spontoon... not what I am looking for. I do not need something strictly tactical.
The JK ones looked ok, not my favorite though. They are the same thickness the whole length which seems like it provides for less head weight which might be a problem... or maybe not? It seems like the RMJ is wider at the head than the handle, not sure if this is true or not.
I like the videos that I have seen where teh RMJ's beard portion can kind of can opener through a car door. At work the most likely usage after cutting tree brush out of the road would probably be to get into a car to rescue someone. I am not sure if the RMJ one would work very well in a sledge hammer type application.

I actually do have a small knife kits hatchet in my car now and it is about 1/4 inch thick and works ok but I use my folding saw more wen it comes to trees,

As for the length of the Shrike I would think too long would be a problem grabbing it quickly from the car or swinging in tight quarters inside a house or something. Thats why I was wonderign about the shorter one too. I do realize that longer would work better for outdoors work.

Anyone have pictures of their crash axe? Cannot find it.
 
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How about one of Ranger Knives Renegade tomahawk ? Or a hawk from Coal Creek Forge?
Having never opened up a car or breeched a door with either of mine. I am no expert.
I did purchase and currently awaiting a RMJ Kestrel - To be gifted to my youngest son currently serving in the U.S. military.
You are correct, RMJ's are not cheap. The weight of the tool and the Mollie sheath swayed me. It's short length (13") did concern me.
But, since it will be worn under the armpit or on the shoulder strap of a pack it should be light, compact enough to be carried without being cumbersome.
He made the choice and I didn't ask him to elaborate why? On formidable looks alone, it wins my vote. LOL
RMJ also allowed a discount to members of our Armed men /women.
Good luck on your search.
Jimmo
 
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The Renegade is well made, yet it's pretty heavy. The edge of mine is fairly wide, great for strength, not so much for chopping wood. IMO, it's made for destruction and/fighting. The spike is amazing on it though. I have felt the spike graze my head when chopping wood, the head is about 9.5" long on them. You'll find yourself swinging back quite far just to get it to bite deep. The edge could be changed for better chopping.

Lots of tactical hawks are short so a person can wear them, and like you said, be swung in tight spaces. It seems to me there isn't really a compromise that does everything extremely well. You either get a great breacher, a great wood chopper, or a great fighter. IMO, it the edge geometry that dictates this, moreso than even the weight or length.

It's my opinion that a dedicated wood chopping axe and a breaching axe is what you should look for. A used axe, rehung, can be had for cheap and still out chop any tactical tomahawk. Or, maybe you already own a decent wood axe?
Then you are free to get a small, full tang, breaching hawk like an RMJ or a Winkler rescue axe. The Winkler rescue axe is small, and has a can opener at the end of the handle. It seems great for when you have to cut through metal, but don't have room to swing the axe/hawk.
 
eyeeatingfish said:
As for the length of the Shrike I would think too long would be a problem grabbing it quickly from the car or swinging in tight quarters inside a house or something. Thats why I was wonderign about the shorter one too. I do realize that longer would work better for outdoors work.
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Yeah but here's the thing: there's no "rule" dictating where on the haft you hold your tomahawk. If you have a long handle, you can always hold it closer to the head to shorten the length, choke up on it, but if you have a short haft and need length, that needed length won't magically appear.
 
I dont know anything about hawks. But, if you have fallen in love with something, buy it. Its that simple. Could be gone tomorrow.
 
eyeeatingfish said:
Checked the missouri war axe and the spontoon... not what I am looking for. I do not need something strictly tactical.
The JK ones looked ok, not my favorite though. They are the same thickness the whole length which seems like it provides for less head weight which might be a problem... or maybe not? It seems like the RMJ is wider at the head than the handle, not sure if this is true or not.
I like the videos that I have seen where teh RMJ's beard portion can kind of can opener through a car door. At work the most likely usage after cutting tree brush out of the road would probably be to get into a car to rescue someone. I am not sure if the RMJ one would work very well in a sledge hammer type application.

I actually do have a small knife kits hatchet in my car now and it is about 1/4 inch thick and works ok but I use my folding saw more wen it comes to trees,

As for the length of the Shrike I would think too long would be a problem grabbing it quickly from the car or swinging in tight quarters inside a house or something. Thats why I was wonderign about the shorter one too. I do realize that longer would work better for outdoors work.

Anyone have pictures of their crash axe? Cannot find it.
Click to expand...

I had the same exact problem in my search as you. I wanted certain aspects of different designs in my hawk, but really didn't want to pay the rmj prices (granted I've heard they are well worth it). I got in touch with John at Jk knives and we chatted a bit. Long story short, I have completely designed my own tomahawk down to the last detail and he is going to make it for me for a very affordable price. At least a hundred and fifty cheaper than an rmj. That's the beauty of the custom route (and Jk), you can get EXACTLY what you want. Good luck in your search!
 
Just buy what you want..if moneys not a problem then dont let it be..Long,short, etc,etc...Thats up to you..Ive always liked a somehat shorter hawk..16"-18" at most..
Im 6'8" tall and weigh 306 pounds so carrying a big tool was never an issue..I just like mine shorter, just over hatchet length..Ive never needed to swing one very hard and Ive never needed the extra leverage of a long handle.That may very well because I am so big, I dont know..I hunt with mine a lot, use them to process game and work around the farm so Ive settled on what works fine for me..Some people like 24"+ handles, I dont.You know, thats just me..
 
Why Would I not buy one? Money, don't have to have one, But if I was flush, it would be in the mail. if you can aford a luxury like this and want one, <( and if you have a wife, she won't use it on you in your sleep)> Get one. but if you are in a place where you are scraping up the rent, oh hell no.
 
Foxx put me on the trail of Winklers. Have two on order ... they are simply amazing. Not cheap, but will outlast anything I throw at 'em without a blink. I reasoned the cost out by figuring how much I'd spend on lesser hawks instead of the Winklers. Personally, I prefer one or two of the best, rather than a trunk full of 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best.
 
I don't get the design behind tactical hawks. In a pinch, you want to be able to grab it and use it without any fussiness. So why the wacky handles??? Wouldn't the ultimate tactical hawk have a very simple handle that goes all the way to the head and can be gripped anywhere along the handle?
 
Eyeseatingfish,

You want to use a few before settling down for one that works best. Maybe you can try your rifleman hawk on the stuff you think you will do and get a feel about it.
I've tried the Kestrel on trees as well as wildboar's thigh bone and it's not meant for that.
Crashing into steel doors and cinderblocks? Home Run!
Ryan mentioned about having a dedicated series for Woods but it's way down in the pipelines.
 
I have a hawk on the 'Gadget pass-around" pages ....add your name to it and you can play with one...
 
M3mphis said:
I don't get the design behind tactical hawks. In a pinch, you want to be able to grab it and use it without any fussiness. So why the wacky handles??? Wouldn't the ultimate tactical hawk have a very simple handle that goes all the way to the head and can be gripped anywhere along the handle?
Click to expand...

If by "those" you mean the RMJ Shrike, the handles are insulated. They don't go all the way up because a) you won't be gripping that area when punching into a wall or a vehicle, and b) if the rubber handle was there, it would just get cut from glass, metal, cinderblocks etc..

These type of hawks were requested by and for military personnel. They do have their place, but aren't for everyone.
 
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foxx said:
They don't go all the way up because a) you won't be gripping that area when punching into a wall or a vehicle, and b) if the rubber handle was there, it would just get cut from glass, metal, cinderblocks etc..
Click to expand...

I can see the logic there.
 
In hindsight, it's clear that my opinion in this thread added no value. I'm simply not in to tactical weapons and know very little about them. So I shouldn't have wasted the space.

Sorry for that, Gents.
 
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