Which Cold Steel Hawk Is Your Favorite?

D

davisac

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Feb 28, 2008
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I'm looking at a Cold Steel tomahawk but can't seem to pick just one. :)

There are various pro's and con's in different threads but I thought I would consolidate it into one thread.

I don't expect to be doing anything hard core with it so functionally I don't think any one of them will be that different for my usage.


From left to right: RIFLEMANS HAWK, PIPE HAWK, TRAIL HAWK, SPIKE HAWK, FRONTIER HAWK, NORSE HAWK
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I have a pipe hawk, second choice would be the trail hawk. For me the hammer head makes the difference. the blades are similar enough, but if you can't drive nails, pegs, ect, the blade won't help for that.
 
I think over all the best one is one of the few I don't have, the pipe hawk. Same blade as the spike and the frontier, but with a useful and safer than the spike hammer, that also helps balance it, also looks the most like a real, traditional hawk, to me at least. But that pipe bowl is not hollow, keep that in mind.
Going light, the trail hawk is a great choice, heavy chopper the rifleman but I would just get a hatchet if I wanted to just chop, extremely ugly as well, imho. For just throwing and light cutting get the Norse hawk.
 
Liam Ryan said:
...with a useful and safer than the spike hammer...
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Having never hitmyself with any hawk, axe., hammer or similar tool, I never get how much quantifiably safer it really is without the spike. Has there been an increase in non-pirate-related eyepatch sales since the spike hawk was released that I somehow missed?

Bladed tools (especially) are fundamentally hazardous. Caution is advised.

That said, I do prefer the trailhawk as it's the lightest.
 
I have the tail hawk and it's ok but the head is kind of loose because eithe they or the handle do not match properly for a tight fit so they installed a little allen scew in the side to keep it from sliding off, but it still has a little bit of woble. I figure that I'll just amke a new handle for it some day but it really does not get used that much. My little camp hatchet/hamer does most everthing I need a chopper or pounder for when camping.
 
Hey SpookStrickland, you can try adjusting the allen screw by removing it and throwing it in your spare parts can. Then use a knife, file, or sandpaper on the haft to get a tight friction fit. Do not replace the screw.
If throwing, you want the handle to back out freely in case of handle strike. This will aid in preventing breaking. Also broken handle replacement in the field can happen without the screw. Your gonna like your Hawk a lot more.
The screw is not meant for actual use by Hawk Men.
Have fun,
Bearded Man
 
For the type of things you do with a hawk, swinging it around and such, the spike is much more dangerous than say a hammer poll to the user. You mention caustion when using any bladed tool, well maybe use twice as much caution with a spike hawk.

scouter27 said:
Having never hitmyself with any hawk, axe., hammer or similar tool, I never get how much quantifiably safer it really is without the spike. Has there been an increase in non-pirate-related eyepatch sales since the spike hawk was released that I somehow missed?

Bladed tools (especially) are fundamentally hazardous. Caution is advised.

That said, I do prefer the trailhawk as it's the lightest.
Click to expand...
 
im with the frontier all the way, with pipe hawk a close 2nd, both throw exceptionally well, and share the same profile

mike
 
leebrewer said:
Hey SpookStrickland, you can try adjusting the allen screw by removing it and throwing it in your spare parts can. Then use a knife, file, or sandpaper on the haft to get a tight friction fit. Do not replace the screw.
If throwing, you want the handle to back out freely in case of handle strike. This will aid in preventing breaking. Also broken handle replacement in the field can happen without the screw. Your gonna like your Hawk a lot more.
The screw is not meant for actual use by Hawk Men.
Have fun,
Bearded Man
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll will do that.
 
The Pipe Hawk is my favorite as well. Nice large hammer poll, good edge length, and enough weight for serious chopping without being ungainly for single handed use.
 
Liam Ryan said:
For the type of things you do with a hawk, swinging it around and such, the spike is much more dangerous than say a hammer poll to the user. You mention caustion when using any bladed tool, well maybe use twice as much caution with a spike hawk.
Click to expand...

How do you use a hammer then, without swinging it?

Also, when using the hammer poll, do you worry about the main bit? Shouldn't you perhaps grind it down for safeties sake?
 
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I have Cold Steel Trench Hawk that is a very good all purpose chopper. I used it just as it came for a while, but I never got used to that spike coming at me when I would be chopping. It was long enough to do some real damage, not only to my own head, but even to my shoulder.
I have since cut the spike back to where there is only an inch or so of pointed metal left. It works great for breaking up glass, shale, old wood, rocks, or whatever you need to smash, and yet I still have the blade portion for chopping.
True, it won't impress the doomsday wanabe zombie killers out there, but now I have a tool that I can safely use for a lot of different activities.
 
leebrewer said:
Good luck if you ever have to dig with a mattock.
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Heeheehee--this. It's not really that dangerous. Just don't swing it directly at your face or any other part of your own body and you'll be ok. :p
 
I have all of the above EXCEPT the spike hawk. I think the most practical one is the Pipehawk.
 
scouter27 said:
How do you use a hammer then, without swinging it?

Also, when using the hammer poll, do you worry about the main bit? Shouldn't you perhaps grind it down for safeties sake?
Click to expand...

I hit myself with the claw end of the hammer all the time, and yes I do grind down all my hatchet and hawk blades so they are duller than butter knives.
 
maxpeters said:
I have Cold Steel Trench Hawk that is a very good all purpose chopper. I used it just as it came for a while, but I never got used to that spike coming at me when I would be chopping. It was long enough to do some real damage, not only to my own head, but even to my shoulder.
Click to expand...

Exactly, and imagine using it defending yourself from a 2 or 4 legged beast, the spike could easily come back at you. Besides, as a fighting weapon you are not going to be just chopping methodically, as you would with say, a hammer. I loved swinging the trail hawk around but with the spike hawk it just doesn't feel like the right thing to do, it felt, *gasp* unsafe. But I am just a big chicken I guess.
 
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