Final Review - Estwing Tomahawk

[lxskllr]

I posted about getting this last year I think. I got it cause it looked cool, and thought I might be able to fit it into my work routine somewhere. I was pretty much wrong. This thing isn't good for much of anything. I did get to use it last year for chopping through ice. It was light to carry, and worked sufficiently well, but even at that, a pick would have worked better. Things it's not good at...

Breaching - It barely has enough ass to chop kindling. Using it to get through a door or something? You'd get in quicker with tactical beavers.

Bushcraft - Again, too light, and the spike isn't so useful. A hammer on the back would be better. It also has a small cutting surface. A small machete a la the Woodmans Pal is better for a portable back country axe.

Combat - Yet again, too light. If I had a choice of being unarmed, and going against someone wielding this, or a knife, I would take this every time. It doesn't have the weight to power through a swing, so it's easier to grab by the handy T handle, and isn't quick and unpredictable like a knife. It /looks/ intimidating, so I guess it has that going for it.

Most of the problems with this are due to the light weight. I think I read it was 1.8#. If it were at least 3#, many of the problems would be eliminated. What it does right is the comfortable handle, and the one piece construction. I'm thinking about getting the hole filled in with solid steel. That'll bump up the weight some, but not to ~3# without extensive reprofiling and effort.

Economical($40) and well made, but doesn't really do anything well. Unless you're interested in a toy, there's better axes around.

 

[shortylickens]

Before even checking, I bet theres at least 3 reviews on Youtube for this thing already.

And having watched a bunch of reviews I already know theres a fuckload of companies making tactical garbage that nobody needs but seems to sell a lot with the Tacticool crowd.

 

[Ken g6]

I'm thinking about getting the hole filled in with solid steel. That'll bump up the weight some, but not to ~3# without extensive reprofiling and effort.

Maybe try lead? It's denser, and so easy to melt you could probably do it yourself. No guarantee it won't fly off the handle at a bad time, though.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Combat?

 

[lxskllr]

Maybe try lead? It's denser, and so easy to melt you could probably do it yourself. No guarantee it won't fly off the handle at a bad time, though.

I probably won't do anything. It'll just rack up cost trying to make it something it should have been in the first place. Anything more than welding something in is too much effort I think.

I'm kind of eying up European style axes. Something like this, but heavier...

https://www.amazon.com/Gransfors-Br...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WXYE8TYHE622098K44SX

Dunno. Just looking for new toys I guess. Between my Woodmans Pal and 22" machete I have just about everything covered.

 

[lxskllr]

Combat?

From what I've read, "tactical" tomahawks have become somewhat popular with troops. I can see the appeal, but I'd want more balls than the Estwing provides.

 

[lxskllr]

On the subject of "tactical"... I got a free tactical flashlight from Copenhagen last week. You know it's serious business cause it's black, and has strange ribs and cutouts on it :^D

Pretty good flashlight for free. It's bright, and only needs one AA cell. It also has an easy to use focus. Too early to judge durability, but I like it better than the Maglights I've gotten in the past.

 

[lxskllr]

I've posted these before, but here's my zombie apocalypse collection...

Only difference is I don't carry the Marttiini puukko at work anymore. I swapped it out for a Morakniv Companion

 

[shortylickens]

That looks like a Camillus/Ontario.
Am i right?

 

[lxskllr]

That looks like a Camillus/Ontario.
Am i right?

Machete and knife are Ontario. The knife's the Air Force survival knife. It didn't work out exactly as expected. I was hoping to keep part of it razor sharp, and leave the rest dullish. The steel's to heavy and soft to be a sharp knife. It works well though. I use it to dig, and use the pommel as a quick hammer. I keep it sharp enough for rough cuts, but the puukko became my goto fixed blade sharp knife. I switched to the Mora from the Marttinni cause it was cheap, and better for beating up at work. It's a great knife for ~$14, and no heartbreak if it gets messed up.

 

[John Connor]

I have a throwing axe and several knives. I'd like to add a crossbow to the collection.

 

[BoomerD]

How about riggers/builders axe?

https://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-28-Ounce-Builders-Hatchet-construction/dp/B00004Z2XT

https://www.estwing.com/products/riggers-axe

 

[John Connor]

https://www.fakespot.com/product/va...ry-handle-for-heavy-construction-17-inch-long

 

[John Connor]

What is this for?

 

[lxskllr]

How about riggers/builders axe?

https://www.amazon.com/Vaughan-28-Ounce-Builders-Hatchet-construction/dp/B00004Z2XT

https://www.estwing.com/products/riggers-axe

You know, I already have one I forgot about. It's an almost brand new Plumb I found in the woods. I rejected using it as my primary axe cause it's fairly light, and the hammer's small. I use a full size axe with the handle cut down as my main hammer. It might make a good back woods hammer, where cutting is more important than hammering. I'll have to try it out for awhile, and see how it works.

What is this for?

I assumed it's a nail puller, but I never used these, or worked with anyone that used them professionally

 

[John Connor]

I assumed it's a nail puller, but I never used these, or worked with anyone that used them professionally

That's what I thought too, but it seems too wide to be a nail puller.

Edit-

Ya know, I think you might just be right considering the other side is a hammer.

 

[Crono]

I've been meaning to get a kukri or maybe a brush sword and hatchet

 

[John Connor]

Hmm, that SOG is pretty nice. Would come in mighty handy to take down tree limbs. Especially in making a fire.

Edit-

Found it cheaper and with free shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SOG-Specia...017210&hash=item2eee185fe8:g:oxgAAOSwgn5XErpW

 

[lxskllr]

I've been meaning to get a kukri or maybe a brush sword and hatchet

That brush sword is kind of interesting. The short overall length should make it easy to carry. I'd like to see how it swings.

 

[Crono]

I have a throwing axe and several knives. I'd like to add a crossbow to the collection.

I have a compound bow (Bowtech Diamond Deploy SB) that I bought earlier in the year. My aim still sucks (using a bag target in wooded area near my house), but once I get better I'd love to get a recurve and then a crossbow.

 

[John Connor]

I have a compound bow (Bowtech Diamond Deploy SB) that I bought earlier in the year. My aim still sucks (using a bag target in wooded area near my house), but once I get better I'd love to get a recurve and then a crossbow.

I shot a bow in Cub Scouts and was surprising pretty good. But that was years ago. I mean like 25+ years ago. I haven't shot one since. LOL

 

[lxskllr]

This is a good looking axe...

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA...brown-oiled-curly-birch-handle-leather-sheath

Doesn't meet my requirements, but that's a work of art. That might be my jul present to me. I love buying gifts for me. I always know exactly what I want :^D

 

[kage69]

I went with a Cold Steel Rifleman's hawk years ago, still love it. That and a kukri handles everything I wouldn't break out a chainsaw for.

 

[kage69]

FWIW, I recommend skipping the kukri style machetes. You want a kukri get a real kukri, it's meant to have a thick blade.

 

[kage69]

CK&T's Golok is a worthy consideration in my book, nice little chopper and it can slash brush. Always had a thing for that kind of dimpling on blades too.

https://www.amazon.com/Condor-Tool-...908538&sr=1-12&keywords=condor+knife+and+tool