Looking at venturing away from home for bow hunting in the future and looking at a tomahawk or hatchet for brush blind building, firewood chopping and all around camp needs, I noticed all the standards I grew up with are made in China these days so what are you guys carrying these days. Must be light but able to work hard.
Gransfors bruks hunter's ax at about 19 inches works well for me for bigger stuff or if overnighting it to cut firewood, and/or a folding handsaw. The Ron LaClair trapper's companion with a shoulder sheath is pretty darn handy while hunting. He also has a smaller hawk but I haven't used it.
On second thought, the hunter's ax is a bit big for what you actually need I suspect. Transfers has a mini-hatchet that is small and light and does fair work on branches, but I've found a small, light folding saw like a Gerber's is used more in general than a hatchet or ax. The saw is always in the hunting pack. The others, not so much.
I like the hawk, BUT I also grew up with a great uncle that could throw one as good as anything I had ever seen. IF we were having a match and you started doing to good he would bust your handle, every time, without fail. Good all around tool if you understand the way it works. Small camp axes could be okay, but personally I feel there is more utility in a solid made hawk.
I have two Eastwing camp axes. One long for home camp, one short for pack trips. And yes, still made in the USA. Eastwing hatchet is a good belt/pack carry for the field.
I like the Cold Steel Pipe Hawk. It has a 22 handle which can give you a longer swing, it has more weight than a traditional Hawk which helps with chopping, and the pipe part is solid so it can be used as a hammer. Just remove the set screw and pitch it, that is use to hold it to the handle. It doesn't need it and your handle will last longer. It has the same friction fit as all Hawks. Another choice would be CRKT Chogan for the same reason more wieght for chopping and it has a hammer poll. Nice part about a hawk it can be broken down and the handle and head can be packed seperately instead as solid piece. On Ebay you can get Kydex sheaths for both to cover the blade whether on or off the handle. Just my opinion. DANNY
I like my Husqvarna foresters axe it is between a hatchet and a full size axe it has a hand forged head and stays sharp and easy to sharpen and comes with a very nice sheath.
As far as throwing an axe you will have to be the judge of that, as I can throw a double bit felling axe and stick it where I want.
I think Gransfors builds this axe for Husqvarna at a lot less than their axes.
I have both and prefer the Hawk. There are a number of handmade, high quality Hawks made in the US. Take a look at the website for Fort Turner. The steel is very good with a rather thin leading edge so you can get them really sharp.
I also prefer a tomahawk. It's lighter (less noticeable carrying), is very handy, and quite sharp. Each to his own. If you want another option, a nice machete is also VERY handy...
I find the Gransfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet a good compromise between weight, length and capability, especially when it comes to chopping and splitting. Its around 13-1/2" long, weighs 1.3 lb. Ive got mine on a nice leather belt loop holder, goes everywhere with me. I find most Hawks of standard size are a bit light to chop as well as the GB, on the hardwoods here in Australia anyway.
Tomahawks are cooler and some would like the tradition more but having used both on many adventure hikes and camps I would go for the hatchet as I think they are more functional in many ways. I particularly like the Gransfors Bruks models...
Tomahawks were originally used as a weapon, not a wood cutting tool, although they can be used for that. A small axe would be better but if you decide on a 'hawk, look at a CRKT Woods Chogan. They have a nice one with a leather sheath for it. It is built as a wood working tool with a good hammer poll too.
A alternatve to a leather belt loop carrier for a Hawk or some Hatchets, is a belt loop carrier for a MAG-Light flashlight. They are stiff and work great. Just not as traditional looking. DANNY
I own and use a Gransfors Bruks (Small Forest Axe) which beats anything in its class for me. Clearing brush, de-limbing, pounding stakes, splitting wood, cutting large ribs and other uses come to mind. The weight and balance make it particularly nice in the hand, plus the handle is suitable for a short 2-hand grip and chopping.
That said, just yesterday I was at an upscale outdoor store and viewed their display of Hults Bruks tools. I was very impressed and think I might buy one of their pieces to try.
Love the quiver with the hatchet, Ron’s shrew hawk is on my Christmas list now. All great suggestions as I haven’t spent alot of time the last 40 yrs away from my home hunting area so getting excited about future adventures.
I picked up a Shrew Hawk last night at the Kazoo trad show from Carlton Matteo and couldn't be happier (only purchase except dinner) what a handy little hawk now bring on the northwoods adventures.
I far prefer the Hawk. I did recommend Fort Turner as a source but now understand they have "issues" delivering. Take a look at 2Hawks, the steel is knife grade with a Rockwell in the high 50'S. They offer several sizes but I prefer the Longhunter model.
A hawk if good for more than cutting limbs. Mine regularly gets service driving tent stakes, pop up blind stakes, splitting a deer pelvis or quickly taking the legs off at the knee. If the steel is good and you keep it sharp it can also do skinning [if you grip it next to the head] when your knife gets dull skinning things like multiple hogs.
Stay away from the Swedish axe, too light to be used as a real axe and just short enough that you can easily stick it in your leg or foot when trying to split a tough piece of fire wood. A good packable camp saw really lessens the work load. With 48 Canadian canoe trips, we find the saws get more use than the camp axe. Cut the firewood logs short before spitting.
When I'm packiong in, I like a hawk. I have one of Ron's. When I'm camping in my wall tent at the end of the road, I prefer a small camp ax. Can never have too many tools.
Shrew hawk is awesome with the shoulder holster. I don’t camp much, but as far as hunting tool very handy. I use’d to carry a folding saw and nippers in my backpack especially when hunting from the ground. Now just small fanny pack and sharp hawk. The hawk is actually quieter to get rid of those twigs in the shooting lane while setting up. Big enough to cut small trees and branches for brush blind. And while out stump shooting you can chuck it at close stumps.
I have a RMJ Tactical Hawk which not really aimed towards wood cutting and blind building, more for head splitting and forcible entry or exit. But for all around use I have a Viking Ship Builder's Axe that I really like.
