M14 Forum

MtScout · March 9th, 2011, 06:22 AM

Just got one of these, (http://www.coldsteel.com/riflemanshawk.html).
First impression, is positive.
The handle is very slick, I might wrap it with some leather.
For under $30 shipped, well worth it.

I should have got the sheath.
And maybe an extra handle or two.

Should the head be loose, as it was shipped?
I could shim it and tighten it up.

CAVman · March 9th, 2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtScout

Just got one of these, (http://www.coldsteel.com/riflemanshawk.html).
First impression, is positive.
The handle is very slick, I might wrap it with some leather.
For under $30 shipped, well worth it.

I should have got the sheath.
And maybe an extra handle or two.

Should the head be loose, as it was shipped?
I could shim it and tighten it up.

As A 'Rendezvous'er' Myself...

Wood Handles Shrink...Steel Heads Don't!
Just Leave The Axe In A Bucket of Water Overnight!
Repeat When Necessary!

Don't Wrap With Leather! It Won't Let The Handle 'Slide' Out Of Your Hand!
If It's Slick...Use Some Fine Sandpaper or 0000 Steel Wool On The Wood...Go Easy! Don't Want It So Rough That It Won't...'Slide' Of Your Hand!
You Can 'Waterproof'/'Antique' The Handle By Using Something Like 'Old English' Stain and Polish On It...

Then Just Go Put Up A Stump To Throw At...And Have Fun!

CAVman in WYoming

MtScout · March 9th, 2011, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the tips, (soaking the handle).
Swinging it around here inside I almost took out the 'puter.
I'll ruff up the handle, it is too slick as is.

sac troop · March 9th, 2011, 09:16 AM

This style of tool uses a tapered handle thru a tapered hole. It will always be subject to coming loose because of the design. CAVman's suggestion is the fastest way to address the problem. If you want to consider it a problem. The design allows the user to quickly replace a broken handle.

1KPerDay · March 9th, 2011, 09:20 AM

I got one of those and their "norse hawk" a while ago. Lots of fun. I feel the norse hawk is better balanced and throws better... the rifleman's would be better for actual use though.

I've had trouble with the set screw stripping out on mine... but throwin' hawks' handles don't last long for me anyway. :D

brassmagnet · March 9th, 2011, 09:24 AM

I watched the clip on their site - pretty cool. Pretty good footage.
Always wanted to attend a rendezvous - just never got around to it. Looks like a nice "tool of the trade"

Gimlet · March 14th, 2011, 10:36 AM

I carried a Riflemans Hawk while in the Marine Corps. Great tool but wish I knew then what I know now to make a few simple mods that make it a lot better. Here's a link over at Blade Forums that deals with moding a Trail Hawk specifically but, any CS Hawk in general. A little file work inside the hole for the handle, for example can really help to tighten up the fit. Warning: it's up to 63 pages and counting and fooling with one of these things can be highly addictive.

Gimlet

War dog · April 6th, 2011, 01:51 PM

The cold steel hawk might be all right,I don't have any hawks with a hammer poll on them.

I have to sat the quality looks kind of poor,and there are better hawks out there for about the same money.

I have several hawks,but the SOG Fusion is a really good one,if you don't mind the spike head.It was designed after the Vietnam special forces hawk.

I have used it for throwing,chopping and all the other uses it was designed for. Throwing a hawk is fun,but in reality I wouldn't throw my weapon away..

MtScout · April 6th, 2011, 02:39 PM

War Dog
I agree with your observations.
This CS hawk is alright for the money paid.
It is my first edged weapon of this type, and it will not be my last.
I like these too:

http://www.rmjtactical.com/

CAVman · April 6th, 2011, 03:47 PM

My Friend and Fellow Vet, Joe DeLaRonde...

http://delarondeforge.com/military_axes.htm

CAVman in WYoming

War dog · April 6th, 2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtScout

War Dog
I agree with your observations.
This CS hawk is alright for the money paid.
It is my first edged weapon of this type, and it will not be my last.
I like these too:

http://www.rmjtactical.com/

yes very good,very expensive,and only taking orders for service men in the sandbox.

Jackalope1911 · April 8th, 2011, 03:12 PM

I'm liking the RMJ Tactical Hawks...
I was going to pick up one of these -
http://www.benchmade.com/products/172
But I think I changed my mind.
Thanks guys !

-Jack

TimberWolf7.62 · September 4th, 2011, 07:14 PM

Here's my "Goldilocks" hawk. I got the trail hawk and it was just too small. Got the rifleman's hawk and it's a little too big. Since it's easier to take material off of a hawk than add more in, I introduced the rifleman's hawk to the bench grinder and the Dremel. I took the poll and the ridge at the top of the head off (see the stock photo for comparison).

The stock weight was about 37 oz and it now registers an even 29 oz on my postal scale. It feels 100% better than it did!

Finish is vinegar-soaked paper towels for a couple hours, then some light steel wool and then oil. I may play with the finish some more but it'll do for now. I did the handle in red oak stain and then boiled linseed oil.

I don't wrap my handles since that will retain moisture against the wood and cause it to rot.

To secure the head, clean out the eye with a Dremel, then bake the head at 200 degrees in the oven for 20 minutes then use a rubber mallet to drive the handle through it.

huntinghawk · September 5th, 2011, 02:39 AM

Here's some that I have made. If the hawk has a wood handle put some upholstry nails in it to improve the grip.

HuntingHawk

SAPPNASTY · September 5th, 2011, 07:38 AM

Very nice tomahawk.....I love all of Cold Steels blades. I have one of thier little dvd's that shows them cutting through everything you can think of. I can only imagine that thier hawks are second to none. Me and a bunch of my buddies are ordering a few of these on Friday:

United Cutlery UC2765 M48 Hawk Axe with Nylon Sheath