Hey guys, Theses things are all the craze lately and I am on the fence about them. The combat ax does have a long standing history in the place of warfare and rightfully earned it. The newer light weight tactical designs do seem to be every bit the spawn of their deadly ancestors. However the use of any weapon is a matter of training, muscle memory, and the quality of the weapons build (training matters non if it breaks on the first strike).
So I thought a bit of dialog here could help me out with some of the qualms that I have regarding their usefulness as tools in the field, effectiveness as a weapon, and the real hard question how much one should spend on one of these???
Went camping last weekend with a friend who brought a SOG Tomahawk. I was very impressed. We used it to chop down and then cut up two different trees, each of which was approximately 6" in diameter.
I found it incredibly useful. I still won't carry it on backpacking trips (24 oz is too heavy, so I carry a 5 oz. saw), but for a survival situation, it'd be hard to beat.
I'm liking the idea of one and would prefer a full tang design to negate the worry of the head coming off the handle. I could justify spending up to $200 on a cutting tool that I could be betting my life on. So quality and steel construction must be considered.
I have also heard of models that have a prying edge built into the base of the handle. That sounds like it could come in handy too.
Bought a Lagana from the American Tomahawk Company a few years back. I suppose if I had to go hand to hand it would be quite formidable. Hopefully, I'll never have to go hand to hand. The other guy might have something bigger anyway.
Hey guys, Theses things are all the craze lately and I am on the fence about them. The combat ax does have a long standing history in the place of warfare and rightfully earned it. The newer light weight tactical designs do seem to be every bit the spawn of their deadly ancestors. However the use of any weapon is a matter of training, muscle memory, and the quality of the weapons build (training matters non if it breaks on the first strike).
So I thought a bit of dialog here could help me out with some of the qualms that I have regarding their usefulness as tools in the field, effectiveness as a weapon, and the real hard question how much one should spend on one of these???
If you want a combat ax, go for it. I think you would find a good quality camp ax will do a whole lot more around the camp. I also have a feeling that you will spend a lot more time camping out than you will fighting of BG's, and then there is the training that you will have to work on.
It goes without saying that any new weapon one buys you will have to train and work with to be proficient. I do also highly doubt I'll ever use it hands on, I just like the idea of having it and not needing it than needing it and not having it.
I agree with the having it if you need it, is better than needing it and not having it. Back in 2007 Texas amended it's laws to allow us to carry things like a tactical tomahawk, a sword, a machete, or even a bowie knife. Me, I always have a gun on me, along with a knife. The gun is what I would go to first!
My first choice for a hatchet would be a estwing, and since I already own one thats out LOL. I'm more or less looking for a reason to spend money on a bladed tool thats gonna be worth it and hol dup if the need be.
Cold Steel offers several different styles at reasonable prices. I have the frontier hawk as do my three sons and we have had some contests throwing them. Here's a link. http://www.ltspecpro.com/Category/7_1/Tomahawks.aspx
The one I had assembled for him previously, a very large bowie, is more useful. He uses it as a camping tool, and barbecue or outdoor cooking utensil. He got the tomahawk and Arkansas toothpick more for show, and in case anyone ever breaks into their place. (His gf is not comfortable living with firearms.)
The tomahawk feels great in the hand and and looks to be a deadly weapon, but the edge is beveled awfully thin and I warned him about chipping the edges if he tries to do overly ambitious wood chopping with it. He is a Texan and was drunk on his birthday besides, so he immediately started throwing it at the oak tree in his backyard. I went inside. They were all lining up to throw it at the tree as I made my escape, but somehow it survived the night unharmed.
"Not comfortable with firearms"? Time to get a new girlfriend. My wife, who'd never been around guns before me has no problem with them and doesn't mind a growing collection one bit. I even have her keeping one in her car now. Of course, after plenty of trigger time was spent honing her skills. If she was against guns believe me she never would have become my bride.
As for the hawk. As a kid growing up I'd visit my uncle a few times a year who had throwing hawks. It was a blast. I remember learning to spin it a half a turn for every three paces of distance. It was a real hoot.
How do LEO's look upon tactical hatchets? Are they considered weapons like a knife? Can you legally carry one in a sheath on your belt? Can you carry one concealed under a long raincoat or is it just an axe?
Older post, but, after the peace lovin muslum went after those police officers with a hatchet, I would think most cops are looking at their states laws on possession.
My shift partner made an arrest of a person drunk in public and carrying a concealed weapon. I informed my partner that the latter charge was not valid. He charged the violator anyway. When it went to court, the weapons charge was thrown out. Va. code 18.2-308..... and all its sub-paragraphs make no mention of axes, hatches, etc. Hence, to answer your you question, chech out Fla. criminal code.
I earlier mentioned the Cold Steel throwing axes. My three sons and I have been throwing them for about 10 years and none have broken. Really pleased with them. On another note, I'm fairly certain if the police stop you with one hidden in your clothing it will be considered a concealed deadly weapon. The local state police stopped my son and threatened to arrest him for having a folding tree saw under his truck seat ie Walmart $12.00 10" tree saw. (It had slid out of his back pack behind the truck seat. ) I told the trooper I was glad he discovered it before my son was able to leap out of his truck and saw his arm off. I believe my distain was obvious.
I got a CRKT hatchet that I find very useful for ice dams on my porch roof. I have a couple or real 'hawks that are more to look at, but I sure wouldn't want to mess with them.
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