[357fan]

After much debate and some field testing, I decided that I would best be served with a sturdy tomahawk in my BoB. I settled on the lightweight (relatively) Cold Steel Trail Hawk. After some tests, I came to the conclusion that it needed a better grip surface, so I sprayed it with Rustoleum textured paint, in a charcoal grey color.

It's plenty tough for gathering firewood. It holds its edge well, and can be easily resharpened with a few passes with a file. The hammer face on the back of the blade is very useful for pounding stakes and general hammering.

I got it for about $25 at a gunshop/hobby shop in my area, and you can find them on the 'net all day for that price.

I'll post pictures, if anybody is interested.

 

[PrimalSeal]

Yes Sir! Please post pics, if you would.

I currently have 2 hatchets that I carry in my BoB for exactly that reason. You never know when you need a sharp edge for splitting kindling or beating the general hell out of something.

 

[Guest]

Pics, yes, crazy for having it in your BOB? heckno, voted that way as well.

 

[Guest]

I voted no too,and now thinking of getting one.Thanks man

 

[Stryker1]

Thats funny I was at SW yesturday looking at them lol..

Great minds think alike?????? who knows lol

 

[Thayldt21]

Did I misunderstand

You would be crazy to not have one. I have a little hatchet. My mind says must have.

 

[rimfirehunter]

Hawks have always been a useful tool since way back when, so having one with decent steel and a good handle makes a fine addition to the BOB. I had an inexpensive hatchet for a while but it was really heavy for its size, so I ditched it and have been looking for a good quality Hawk to replace it with.

Several online places that specialize in muzzleloader supplies have them, you have a choice of inexpensive to down right costly. Below are two of my favorite online muzzleloading suppliers.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com
http://www.possibleshop.com/tomahawk.htm

357fan,

Since you are not worried about historical accuracy of your hawk I highly suggest you visit the tennis department of any sporting goods store and get some racket tape. It will provide a longer lasting, and much better, grip than the textured paint will. Hawks and do wicked stuff to your legs and feet when you loose your grip, so having a good handle grip is essential to using one safely. Being out in the boonies in a survival situation would pretty much mean death if you suffered a major cut from the hawk blade.

rimfirehunter

 

[357fan]

Rimfire: There are some awesome hawks in the links.

As for using grip tape or something similar, I was considering using skateboard tape (think rough black sandpaper) but this paint has done a fine job so far. I might take you advice, and reconsider the skate tape route, though. Like you said, an axe wound sure would put a damper on any survival situation.

 

[Guest]

Don't know that it needs to be a tomahawk per se, but a good hatchet is a great idea.

 

[SHOOTER Z]

I was brought up to use the tomahawk, bow, and knife. My tomahawk is only a cerimonial one that my father gave me on my 16th birthday but I carry 2 hatchets in my BOB as well as at least 5 knives and I NEVERleave home without a good blade. Just wouldn't feel right :wink:

 

[andrew241]

Yes Sir! Please post pics, if you would.

I currently have 2 hatchets that I carry in my BoB for exactly that reason. You never know when you need a sharp edge for splitting kindling or beating the general hell out of something.

+1 I have a hatchet in each bag and a knife that could double as one if needed. I do like the part about beating the general hell out of ;]Yes Sir! Please post pics, if you would.

I currently have 2 hatchets that I carry in my BoB for exactly that reason. You never know when you need a sharp edge for splitting kindling or beating the general hell out of something. [/quote]

+1 I have a hatchet in each bag and a knife that could double as one if needed. I do like the part about beating the general hell out of something.

 

[vallen]

hatchet

Aside from really nice ones, for utilitarian purposes I'd choose the Gerber Hatchet or one of the Cheapo- Chinese made utility hatchets, which is also a pry-bar and a hammer.
I've seen them around for less than $10.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21azz5f08hL._AA280_.jpg

 

[therealsteamer]

Personally I would go for something more utilitarian than specialized...

A Tomahawk, while it has a certain "cool factor", can be limited in its uses..
The ultra compact Gerber hatchets look very promising... K-Bar makes a heavy duty Khukuri that would double as a chopping implement AND a fixed blade knife..

The less the BOB weighs the easier it will be to carry OR the more room you can have for other essentials... Food... Water.... Meds...

Now for keeping in a car kit it would be excellent!!! Both my wife and I keep hatchets in our vehicle kits...

This is all dependent on the weight, and size to some extent, of the 'hawk...

 

[Guest]

Hawks are obsolete. Honestly, the belt axe as we now know it is the design evolution that took its place. Hawks have a lot of drawbacks that were resolved over the past 500 years.

I own lots of hawks and forge them as a custom maker, but my vehicles are all equipped with Gerber/Fiskers belt axes.

They are more versitile than a hawk
They cut better than a hawk
They do not attract the attention a hawk does
If someone steals the kit I did not waste a day forging a head.

It takes a full day to forge a good hawk, another to finish it out. The cost should reflect this. How much do you make a day?

 

[MarksmanOne]

Different people like different things... and I say: whatever works for you. I have a camping ax, but I've only used that for camping uses. I'm also a knife collector... I have a number of military knives (M7 bayonet, M9 bayonet, Jumpmaster Knife, WWII Pilot Survival Knife, the new AF Pilot Survival Knife "system", a K-Bar, etc.) and other nostalgic knives; but, my favorite knife is the 1918 Trench Knife. So, get on with your bad self with your Tomahawk.

 

[8andsand]

I would say its a good thing to add to your BOB. You can chop wood for fires or shelters. And if the zombies rise up you can hack the hell out of em.