Author Topic: tomahawk or some type of machete (Read 920 times)

joeandmich · « **on:** January 02, 2013, 10:00:08 AM »

So any thoughts on one of the following for survival including wood chopping, security and all around camp use?

Cold Steel trench awk
BudK M48 tomahawk
Cold Steel kopis machete
Cold Steel kukri machete

Anyone use any of these yet?

thanks,

Joe

endurance · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:37:11 AM »

Where do you live? What type of material are you cutting or splitting?

Personally, I'd rather have a medium sized hatchet for the materials I have around my home than any machete or tomahawk.

rikkrack · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2013, 11:42:38 AM »

was wondering the same thing.

chezrad · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2013, 11:18:06 PM »

Tomahawk, because you can take the blade off the handle and use it. Makes a more versatile tool in my opinion. Machetes hurt my hand after a while.

My 2 cents worth anyway.

The Professor · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2013, 12:55:18 AM »

As Endurance queried. . .it's going to depend a lot on where you expect to operate and what you want to do with it.

Personally, I'm really digging my Cold Steel Trailhawk. So much so, that I'm considering replacing my Gransfors Scandinavian Forest Axes in my General and Long Range Kits with it.

My reasoning is that I doubt that I'll need the extra weight because I won't be building comparatively large shelters, but it gives me a better way to chop and split wood than just batoning with my larger knife.

However, were I in a highly vegetated area (swampland, jungle, etc.), then a machete does a much better job of breaking trail.

The Professor

American freak · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2013, 01:30:06 AM »

Here are some recent experiences of my own. I have been clearing land recently in south east Texas. When we started out we didn't have a tractor at the time so everything was done by hand. I bought a mechete from academy for around $25. It was the Gerber Gator. It has been extremely useful. However, after a week of rigorous use cutting vines, small tree limbs and everything in between, it now has many nicks in the edge and is SUPER dull. Don't think it will last too much longer. Plus, swinging that thing all day made my hand hurt. I think for extended survival purposes a good knife and a hatchet are the way to go. I also recently was given a SOG speedhawk for Christmas and plan to put it to good use soon. It feels like it is solid and of good quality.

joeandmich · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2013, 07:50:01 AM »

What are your thoughts about the M-Tech Tactical Axe?

endurance · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2013, 10:59:26 AM »

I don't know what you'd ever use something like that for, but if you want to buy something, just buy it. If you're looking for advice, it might be helpful to have additional information.

Personally, I've always preferred a solid 3.5 pound single bit axe for general utility. It can split, it can cut, it can pound in wedges while sawing and while not as well balanced as a double bit for cutting, the utility of the hammer side of things seems a worth while trade off.

I like The Professor's Trail Hawk because it still has a hammer side for utility, but it seems a bit light for the heavier camp work. To be fair, with the right length handle it might actually be put to the task of doing more than its weight in work.

joeandmich · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2013, 12:20:07 PM »

Well this is a "Survivor Podcast" forum so I put 2 and 2 together and thought I would ask.

joeinwv · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2013, 06:33:15 PM »

I have a trail hawk, fun to throw, really light and small - but I can chop way faster with a machete, split better with a baton / knife, etc.

Honestly, for my AO the best small wood tool is a saw.

bigjim71 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2013, 01:09:57 AM »

I have both a CS Riflemans Tomohawk, and a CS Kuhkri Machete. I use them both to chop and clear brush and small trees. I like the edge on the machete its light and the rubberized handle is very comfortable to use, but I do like the heft of the Riflemans hawk it splits kindling/small trees easier. I like the hammer I even use it around the house for hammering stuff. If I had to carry only one .... hiking or bugging out I would probably take the Hawk.... I joke and say its genetic being part Ute and part Scotch what else would I want but a large Tomahawk/ small battle axe.

trekker111 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2013, 04:12:22 AM »

For chopping woody materials, and general camp use a regular hatchet, a forged frontier style tomahawk. Machetes are made for vegetation. The tomahawks you listed are designed for fighting and/or throwing, and lack a lot of utility for other things.

I have a cold steel kukri machete and was not impressed. I have a meyerco machete, and the bear grylls parang, both of which are better than the cold steel kukri machete. An actual kukri also beats the cs kukri machete.

sboyle1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2013, 03:00:28 PM »

I personally pack a SOG Fusion when I am out and about in the wild. Personally I think a machete has its merits but my hawk feels like a more versatile tool.

Perfesser · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2013, 03:54:45 PM »

Different jobs, different tools.
Splitting, you have to have an axe. Cutting logs is best with a saw. Clearing brush, breaking trail - machete.
Tomahawk? ..........just a toy...........

bigjim71 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2013, 12:06:35 AM »

Quote from: Perfesser on April 01, 2013, 03:54:45 PM

Different jobs, different tools.
Splitting, you have to have an axe. Cutting logs is best with a saw. Clearing brush, breaking trail - machete.
Tomahawk? ..........just a toy...........

I don't think that a Tomohawk is necesarily just a toy. I use mine for alot of chores. It is more useful than a shorter hatchet. If you have one with a hammer on the end, you can use it to drive nails, tent paigs, stakes... etc....

joeandmich · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2013, 12:08:52 PM »

How about the Woodsman Pal?

joeinwv · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2013, 06:32:20 PM »

A really good machete makes a lot of difference over a cheap one. I've had several China versions, none were sharp or had good handles.

The Condor Golok gets good reviews.

LibertyBelle · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2013, 09:15:22 PM »

Quote from: joeandmich on January 02, 2013, 10:00:08 AM

So any thoughts on one of the following for survival including wood chopping, security and all around camp use?

Cold Steel trench awk
BudK M48 tomahawk
Cold Steel kopis machete
Cold Steel kukri machete

Anyone use any of these yet?

thanks,

Joe

DH absolutely loves his San Mai III Gurkha Kukri
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/35ATCJ/SAN_MAI_III_GURKHA_KUKRI.aspx
...and little middle son (just turned 16) has an M48 Tomahawk that he really likes.
While the gurkha has no trouble chopping ice on the pond (or anything else for that matter), I prefer the M48 hawk for that job. The gurkha is awesome for removing branches, but I must confess that I'm actually a bit afraid of it (watch the video at the above link to see the damage it can do to a hog with just one swing/thrust), so if your swing is miscalculated...

kid_couteau · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2013, 03:34:14 PM »

Hi
I live in Northern Maine and what I am finding is best for here is the following

Parang style knife for the harder woods for general work

A light axe for the real work

Knife of your choice for whats left over.

I had the Cold Steel trail hawk and it is nice but I prefer a regular hatchet over it.

Kid

Sprunch · « **Reply #19 on:** April 03, 2013, 04:26:56 PM »

l'll play...have a number of hack, chop and slash toys. l agree with the above comments that each has a purpose.
l have the following:
Cold Steel-
Two Handed Latin Machete
2 Kukri Machete
Heavy Machete

SOG Tactical Tomahawk

A Classic Axe

A Maul

Each of these are task specific and a whole lot of fun!

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Author Topic: tomahawk or some type of machete (Read 920 times)