SOG Tactical Hawk: Fave Synthetic Tomahawk!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ย. 2024
- In field testing in WY of this excellent lightweight synthetic handled hawk following by in-shop sharpening! Oh yeah: a little update on why the western forests are dying as well.
Nat Geo article on pine beetle destruction: ngm.nationalgeo...
Lightweight and wicked fast, this high value Hawk impressed me and is a great alternative to Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk. It's stainless too. It needed and edge and so I fixed that at the end.
I have the Fasthawk. It was about $25 shipped from Amazon. It's strong and will go with me on all of my outings for uhhh, chopping firewood.
please don't give up on feature-length reviews! especially on firearms!
And knives please.
And other weapons
mafbloggerdanny I know right? This whole "10 minutes or less" knife review thing is annoying me. Why the heck do I watch TNP if not for the 6 hour reviews on a knife?
:D
got the same hawk and done the same convex grind, awesome tool brother - good job
Hey Nutn, I just wanted to thank you, your family, and crew for all you do here. Years ago I used to watch your videos while undergoing chemo and they helped to keep distracted and entertained. TNP holds a place in my heart for making a sucky situation suck just a little less, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you. You are a good man Nutn keep doing what you do. Ryan.
So, my buddy picked one of these up a couple years ago, and I can add a few data points here. Yes the original edge sucks. You have to add to it. The sheath is nice, but not indestructible. Take care of it. The blade is narrow with acute angles, so it's more of a war hawk instead of a bane of logs.
Fun story: The spike on the end has a practical use. We were up shooting one day in the woods, and we got a cloud burst as we were ready to leave. The soil had been parched for months, and silt turned into 2 inch mud instantly. We were stuck for lack of clearance. I got out with the sog in one hand and a WWII folding shovel in the other (tightened at 90deg), and got medieval on the road for about 25 yards. that SOG ate the soil up. We pretty much rebuild 25 yards of road with those two tools in about 10 minutes. I was impressed.
I know you hear this all the time...
I love it when you review shit I have!!
Thanks for the video
I've purchased 5 of these. For me, my girlfriend, and three buddies. Four of them I HAD to re work the edge. Now I feel comfortable actually rolling one into some sort of gear pack.
I got mine with the bonus kydex sheath as well and I LOVE IT!!! We have thrown this thing for hours and hours and hours and it has taken all of the punishment I give it. The head is still tight and still cuts wood that comes across the trail in the spring. I wouldn't do anything larger diameter than what has been done in this video but it works in a pinch! BUY ONE!!
I have the Fasthawk, which is the baby brother to the Tactical Hawk, and it's basically got all the same issues as this one. That being said, it's what I expected and I'm not at all upset. I think for the money they ask for these products, I don't mind making my own mods to improve it. The primary edge definitely needs work. The spike, however, doesn't need to be sharpened. It'll still punch right through sheet metal and skulls as is, and I personally prefer to leave my spikes unsharpened. But I do agree that if it's a fighting hawk, sharpen the hell out of that thing. Just be careful you don't shank yourself with it on your swings :)
If we're talking about a "tactical" hawk, then yeah, it's implied that you are prepared to use it in a defensive manner...like again zombies *coughcough*
i picked 1 of these up on a whim in walmart for $20. i didn't think it would last 3 days. to my surprise i still have it 2 years later and my entire family has had fun throwing it. i get at least 1 request every camping trip to bring it.
That buzzing/tweeting is hummingbirds. Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds are everywhere in these mountains, but you hear them more than see them.
I have had a pair of those for several years. Got to play with them a little bit. They take a wicked edge, and throw well (though I don't throw them well). Edge retention, as you guessed, is substandard, but the softer steel rolls instead of chipping, so I will take that for the price range. Easy to resharpen, but you can't fill in chips. I agree that they are awesome!
i got a few of these to go with my first aid bags in my cars, figured it was a great extraction tool/self defense sub-gun option. i put some hockey tape over the neck (the famous weak point) and also made a basic pommel on the end for quick 1-handed grip. both make for convenient grips and further this things flexibility IMO
If wranglerstar saw your chopping form he'd be going nuts....
I bought this hawk years ago from SOG but it was called the Fusion. It appears identical to this one, same sheath as well. And stainless. I guess SOG just changed the name. I left the spike alone. It doesn't need to be sharpened to pierce steel or skulls and in-fact may be detrimental to it's piercing abilities.
Thanks for the review.
i had one of these bad boys, used its spike end to help myself climb out of a deep deep ravine in washington state. killer piece of kit.
I'm from Germany and when i was in school our teacher told us about this massive pinebeatle problem! Back then i didn't thought that it is that bad.. But wow this is quite impressive in a negative way..
Keep up doing nice vids man!
Greetings from over sea:)
Yes, I like the full-sized SOG tomahawk as well. All of my equipment sets contain a tomahawk or hatchet, and this one is in my car. It's a good balance of weapon and tool, leaning more to the weapon side. I have the smaller "fast hawk" on my fighting rig, as it's all weapon, and not as useful at tool tasks. I refuse to buy or use the "voodoo hawk", as I am not going to associate myself with anything bearing that name.
For my SOG full-sized tomahawk, I added 550 chord wrapping to the handle, complete with wrist/thumb straps for better grip and control of full-power swings.
If used as a weapon, you're most likely going to end up choking up on it for better control, due to the length of the handle. This is not a problem, as choking up on it is part of the technique for fighting with tomahawk and knife. Native Americans more often used it in the strong hand, while ancient Europeans favored an axe weapon in the weak hand if pared with a long knife or short sword. They each have their advantages and disadvantages.
The only other mod I've made to mine, is to the coating of the hawk. The blued finish wears off under normal use. I used that as an excuse to paint my hawk with foliage green Rustolium spray enamel to protect it from rust. I have used it in planting, to remove a downed limb from the road, and to perforate the bottom of a 55-gallon steel drum for use as an incinerator. It performed well in all instances.
Thanks for the review Nutn... I've got one of these hanging above my front door. great fighting weapon!
This is why I watch your channel you are out there moving and doing not sitting and preaching keep it up.
I just wrapped some paracord around in each groove using itself to tighten. It stayed on even after use and some fun throwing! Worked well, especially with gloves. Simple around and through itself notch to notch lining up the "knots" in a line for fingers to gain traction on
I had the fasthawk version of this and the handle snapped in two just chopping a small log, that being said I sent it back and they gave me a free replacement no questions asked.
Sorry to hear about your pine beetle problems out in your area. We've had them in the east coast for a while now.
I stippled the handle on mine. It made a huge difference in the gripping of the hawk.
i might buy one to ho hiking because of how light it is. Looks like a fun project to sharpen the pick to.
i believe you mentioned something to the effect but everyone needs to keep in mind this is not a wood chopper/hatchet, it's not weighted in the head to work as such. this a fighting/throwing tool. i use mine with my car's first aid pack as a backup defense weapon/extraction tool
Get some blasting grit or aquarium sand (of whatever size and color you think appropriate) and mix it with epoxy cement, them lay it generously into the grooves on the handle. That should solve the grip problem. (This also works on polymer-framed pistols. Apply it to the recessed portions of the grip.)
BTW, I own one of these, it was given to me as a gift (my friends know that I like loud, sharp, and dangerous things). It is a nifty little 'hawk.
Another way you can fix the "slick" on a hawk or any handled tool for that matter, is with tennis racket grip tape. I started out using it as a way cheaper option than $15 per pair purpose made grips for my drumsticks (turns out it's virtually the same stuff at less than 1/4 the cost) and now I use it on a lot of my tools that need a little extra cushion and grip. It's better than tape because you get a comfortable grip that also reduces shock, and it doesn't leave a sticky residue when you take it off like athletic tape... + it's cheap. I put a zombie green wrap on my sons hawk and it looks & works awesome!
I have one and mainly used it for collecting dead limbs. It has been mostly replaced by an RTAK-2 now though.
Ive had one for a while, works good in camping for chopping up kindling. its much better when re-sharpened. it holds better with hockey stick tape.
They give you a good workout lol we have the same problem with the beatles too they rare the cause of a big fire in the San Berdiono Mts.burned up our Scout camp 10 years ago to much dead fuel for the fire I own that hawk and the Fast hawk great video love the field test
See man I could tell all in needed was an edge, it was taking pretty good chunks out of that wood. Job buddy.
I didn't know what to get for Father's Day, then yesterday watched this. Guess what I got today. :) Thanks for the suggestion!
I've wanted that hawk for a couple years.
Just watching the top 100 days on the b channel when I see this was uploaded. Well another video to watch.
Same here!!
947969 right, now that's a good night watching some nutn videos.
Hi NutnFancy, your next knife review shouldn't be about a knife, but the title should be: tip up, or tip down: what I choose and why. That would be an interesting debate, and hearing you talk about the importance of tip up carry, and the cons of tip down carry, or vice versa. Thank you.
Watching nutnfancy while replacing the stator on my bike. I feel so manly right now I think I just grew a third testicle
I got one of these 2 years ago. And your right the stock edge is really unimpressive. Since I don't own a gun yet, I keep this hawk handy. Just in case.
Pine Beetle is in all the Pine Trees in my part of Florida. When the Huricanes hit in 2004 the trees got stressed and the Beetle killed 18 of mine.
I got one for $29.99 and have it in my Zombie Apocalypse Bag. Like the sheath and the size. I paracorded the handle which worked nicely. Good product!
Hey nutn an awesome mod is to just put a carabiner through the loop of the sheath. Makes it swing free from a belt loop.
I found mine to be a bit slick on the handle as well, I wrapped it in some hockey tape, that did the trick. Thanks for your great vids.
Hey nutn, I think they design tomahawks/hatchets with obtuse angles for more of a splitting performance than a slicing one. That's a pretty thick log you made short work of. A saw would perform better here. The tomahawk is excellent for wrist sized branches etc and will go through in one or two swipes. The edge is adequate in my experience, the hawk or spike will fly right into wood when thrown ;-)
RMJ Tactical Eagle Talon, Shrike, and Kestrel Tomahawks! Must check out and review those military-grade tomahawks!
In regards to handle traction: Look at how firefighters wrap the handles of our tools. Spiral wrap with 550 cord, or oxygen tubing, or telephone cord, or any number of mediums to suit your preference. After handle has spiral of cord then fully wrap with athletic tape. NEVER SLIP GRIP. It's ribbed for your pleasure.
Estwing Tomahawk, good with a little work sharpening the edges, & you can't beat the price for a Solid piece of steel with a nice shock absorbing handle.
i rolled the blade on mine super easy (throwing in to tree).. but my american tomahawk company lagana VTAC still rolling strong (tested same way). had to grind down the blade a bit as it came concave.. but it is like a little anvil. i have my lagana riding in my sog sheath tho. and the handle is super space age, in their video they run over the handle with a truck at an angle and it bends back into shape by itself.
SOG has a shorter and lighter version of this called FastHawk and the Medal of Honor version called Voodoo Hawk
I've got the Fasthawk version of this and overall like it. Needed an edge for sure. One thing to watch out for though is the tactical shealth they sell along with it. It's a kydex style thing that looks like it would work great, except for it hangs off your left side.. Not very handy for us right handed people..
I have a few SOG Fast Hawks. I picked them up for $20 a while back. They are just a scaled down version of this hawk. Good weapons. Steel is very soft though. If you are cutting wood with it a lot, expect it to be dull in short order. fine steel for a weapon. Not so good for wood processing tool.
Someday I aspire to be a retired crazy old man with a T-hawk, in the middle of the woods smacking on dead lumber. Great vid Nutn lol. I have one of these.... I was thinking about stippling the handle though. It is a bit slick.
Nutn', you sir are living the dream.
The pine beatles must be a widespread problem because the pines here in my area have all been dying & I live in an eastern state.
I love the in field reviews great scenery and seeing the item in action while getting your thoughts on it while using it. Also, it looked like you were in northern Arizona with all the pine beetle issues there. Here it almost makes me rather go for desert hikes and camping than taking the drive north and seeing nothing but dead trees.
I always want to make smoking cigarettes jokes when you are using an axe, but the amount of energy you gotta put into something like that with no weight is crazy.
I have used one for a few years and love it. Heavy for backpacking compared to a saw but worth 20-30$
Wyoming has to be one of my favorite states! Not because of the less amount of gun laws, but because the state is pretty freakin cool.
Run some paracord in the grooves and then extend it off the end of the handle, maybe a loop for your wrist or to attach to your pack. Good video, enjoy your channel.
I got one of those. Came pretty sharp but the head on mine came loose after first couple whacks. I tried tightening it up with a hex head and it stripped the screws....I shoulda returned it for a proper model but I never got around to it. I though some tight paracord lashing up the handle to the area where the head is mounted would help tighten it down, foolish thinking...didn't work. I still put it to work and it hasn't broken on me or gotten worse but still rather upsetting.
Hey Nutn, thanks for the video. Have you ever considered checking out the Condor Bushcraft Parang? That'll be my next purchase. Seems like a great chopper, splitter, slicer, and just all around durable blade.
It's fast and the male attention span is not that long also. So reviews in field big thumbs up!!!!
I love both of mine. I have the big hawk and the mini hawk.
Hey Nutn, love the blade reviews, you should try the CRKT full tang Kangee or Chogun. I know you were not a fan of the woods, I had great luck with mine but the full tang ones are really badass and think you'll be impressed
Veritas 777 Check his B Channel, recently reviewed.
Ok I knew he did the wood handled one, I wasn't sure if he did the Full Tang ones. Im Subbed there already, I'll look
Well, I might be wrong on which models he did but check it out.
I'm not really interested in this axe but I watched the whole thing. I love this new review style your doing, even though I still love the tabletops.
Under 14 mins. Got to the point. Done. No need for 45 mins of filler. One hour videos are for people who love meetings.
Hey Nutn, how about an updated video of packing for trail riding dirtbikes/motorcycles. Like for instance. Packing featherlight, light, prepared, and independent. I believe you could set some ideas in us TNPrs that go on trail rides that last all day or even days.
How does Allie the Mountain Dog feel about you using her bowl to moisten your blade while shapening?
Grrrr :).
Great video dude
Dear nutnfancy, great video just one thing I hope you are wearing good safe glasses out there. In the middle of nowhere playing with a tomahawk. Also I have a question because this is a battle ax, should the spike end be able to pierce a helmet? Perhaps
the spike on that tomahawk is a little to thick for better penetration just a thought by no mean am I trying to be rude or disrespectful again nice video and thank you for the time and energy you put into this video.
Id be worried about my freakin shins man. Nice vid
Curious about these. Looks a lot like a fasthawk.
I personally like the Voodoo hawk more but this one has peeked my interest aswell
Hey nutn if your ever out in Tennessee you have to make it priority to visit smokey mountain knife works in Sevierville. Biggest knife showroom in the US
Whenever I see you out in the wilderness in always curious what heat your packing if any
so anyone that the SOG fusion hawk that came out a few years back-this is the exact same thing just repackaged. no need to run out and get this if u already have the fusion. (like i did) :)
just wanted to call that out if anyone was wondering
Best hatchet for price is Marbles. Paid $19.99 at Smoky Mtn Knife Works. Good product. Wranglerstar gave it a good review.
Should try the SOG VooDoo Hawk Nutn! I love that thing! It's head heavy and hits like an 18"-20" hawk for only being 12"
We have that same problem with the beetles in Colorado. They have destroyed the pine. It's really bad I some parts. Cool hawk always like SOG products.
they make a better/upgraded Kydex sheath for it as well
I love mine but the blade bends and chips really easily, keep this in mind if you buy this for use as a thrower
I would love to move to Wyoming one day, but for now I live in Maine, not bad, but not as good in my opinion.
Thanks for the review Nutn.
I had my sog hawk for little over a year now and the head will loosen up the screws and it tends to wiggle if it struck something stable.
Have you seen the Boker hawk? Don't remember the name, but it is... interesting.
My SOG Tactical Hawk Sheath had two rivets fall out the first time I used it. Plus the belt loop is impossibly small and will work only on a very small belt. The hawk itself is too light to chop wood with. Just look at how long it took to cut one log in the video. A folding saw is much faster and much safer. The spike end is useless. A hammer end would be more useful around camp.
Emerald Ash Borer beetle doing the same damage in the Midwest.
"boom! suck it." -nutnfancy, 2015
Pine Beatles? Try the fallout of "Chemtrail Clouds" Check for high levels of Aluminum and Barium in the soil. Cheers, Mate.
I have one of the SOG hawks they are great hawks.
We have lost our Ash trees to the Ash Boarer here in Ontario.
Once again another great vid
Wonder how the Kershaw Siege will hold up?
Good vid! Thanks Nutn'
is the sharpener going towards to axe head or away from it?
Pine beetles destroyed us in Tennessee a while back. Sucks to see it hitting everyone else
nutn, may I ask how many bikes do you own? could you do a boys and their toys video with ALL you motorized rides?
i honestly dont like anything made by SOG, but realistically what was that tree? all trees are not the same, a high end hatchet may have done no better.
did you give up the Strom for the 1190 ?!?!? I'm a bit jealous...
We have some moths that are are killing all the Coast Live Oaks in Monterey CA and probably other neighboring counties. They have been spraying and I have not seen the moth's number drop but a lot of people are complaining about allergies and flu like symptoms. The drought is bad here. I have been here for over 50 years and it is the first time I have seen large fields go unplanted. They say they do not have the water but they keep putting in the golf courses.
Now I want one. Love Sog. great price too,
Hawk sweetness!!! I really like your hawk reviews, as well as your manly man knives, lol. The large blade knives of all PLU. Thou I prefer a heavier hawk with a bit more reach, and a carbon head. Appreciate what you do Nutn.
Unimpressive blade not! I accidentally pressed my palm against the blade and got a clean 1.5 in cut. Thank God for butterfly bandaids and ointment! Clean cut, fast heal.
Really? On the out of box edge? Wow. Mine came so dull I couldn't open a letter with it. Sharp now! Sorry about your cut but I've been there too and it is inevitable. -nutn actual
John Chan
Mine was incredibly sharp right out of the box pack as well.
nutnfancy Depends on where you get them I think. SOG does some versions of their products for department stores and whatnot that tend to have lackluster edges (and follow lame laws against things like double edged knives). I've got like 2 of these that had less than impressive edges, and like 4 that were considerably sharp. Ah well, probably the best bang for buck tomahawk I know of.
nutnfancy mine came fairly sharp - not razor, but enough for me to notice it.
Proceeded to throw it a bunch of times and it dulled a little