An honest review of a very underrated item, that could save you money and weight on your back. No - its not handmade in Sweden....but does that matter? Watch to find out
I have a trailhawk and love it. My favourite. I prefer a very light hawk to a small axe or hatchet any day any season. However I live the UK so never have the need to carry ANY axe or hawk. The biggest items I carry is an old Fiskers 6inch sliding saw, the black one, and a £4.50 hultafors craftsman knife. Together they weigh less than a Tesco sandwich. I just cant be doing with carting stuff around just for the sake of it.
It should have been noted that the first thing to do is remove an throw away set screw. Next, carefully shave and sand top end of handle to perfectly fit the inside shape of head. This way it will seat nice and tight without scraping a notch. Love this tool for all of the reasons you mention plus throwing. Great video.
Another advantage if you’re less concerned about weight you could carry 2 tomahawk heads and one handle will work for them interchangeably (at least if you’re using cold steel or crkt) so you could have one for lighter jobs and one for heavy jobs like using either the trail hawk or frontier hawk along side the rifleman’s hawk
Totally agree with the bit on people putting all sorts of stuff on the handles all that just gets in the way of the functions. Great video that made me order myself one today.
Best review so far I’m waiting for more mine to come in. I wish you had a school in Colorado I truly enjoy your channel your woods wisdom and tips and tricks are top notch.
Yes lots of benefits to using a tomahawk I use the Cold Steel Frontier hawk as my chopping tool larger blade than the trail hawk but doesn't have the pommel. Definitely an overlooked tool. Great video.
Love my trail hawk, one of my best buys ever i reckon. I got mine from Tamerack outdoors.£33, Bargain! Big them up all day long. They do other versions as well, one slightly lighter without the hammer. But the Hammer one seems to be most popular. Good vid mate, you explained it very well.
nice video, love cold steel hawks I own nearly all of them, the Crkt chogan is my favorite, It can be a weapon or a serious survival tool, its on par with a hatchet easily, you could take the head and sheath and folding saw to drop weight, been listening to horace kepharts book on here recently and brought a Broc Kephart in 3v , love hawks, I love this channel, brought all the tbs boar folders after watching your video, love the micarta green best
CS Hawk is a great yet often overlooked piece of kit! Yours looks awesome, Nice simple aesthetic mods. Well presented informative Vid! Thanks for sharing! Love your logo! ATB BCB
I’ve got the CRKT woods Kangee and shogun for heavier jobs and a bug out tool kit. The spike makes a great entry tool in urban environments. And wood tasks.I’m about to buy the cold steel trail hawk for weekend trips.
i gifted mine a year ago to my oldest son cause he liked it, and i already have some nice axes and hatchets but i've just ordered a new one for me, it was a lot of fun and nice piece of gear. 😍
I have the Trail Hawk, have had it for years. Today I ordered its big brother the Riflemen's Hawk. Needed something with a bit more of a cutting edge. The Norse Hawk is also a good one. remove the head from the handle and you have an Ulu knife. Hope I spelled that right. Hawks are just plain down right good tools.
I too don't see an advantage to the handle wrap I like to be able to remove the head. I bought a CKRT Woods Chogan not because of quality but purely because the handle is round not tear drop shape making it much easier fashioning a handle on the go. Great video love your channel.
Hey pal, would you be able to do a comparison video between your norland hatchet and tomahawk. I’m trying to decide between the two STYLES. They seem very similar in portability. I like all the advantages for the hawk you covered. i’d assume the weight of a hatchet head would mean you don’t need to accelerate it so much giving you more control caving and it may be better at removing stock. Cheers Neil .k x
I've ordered one from Knives and Tools to complement my GBx carpenter's axe. ColdSteel UK were useless to try and order from, as they kept adding an undeletable sharpening puck to the order....I wouldn't have minded if it were a freebee, but at over 8 quid, I'll stick to my Tormek and favourite field stones.
I've got both a trail hawk and the heavier riflemans hawk. Both have had the same treatment, paint removed from heads and mustard patina added, white hickory handles trimmed to match my size and sanded down to accept dark tea staining, hasn't worked as I hoped (going to try first leaching liquid from acorns, tannin stain)
@@justsomeguywithaboomerang1891 Sort of worked, it took the bright pale hickory wood down to almost red oak colour (I ended up buying some black walnut hulls online and stained the wood an almost "tacticool" black, can't stand bright coloured wood in the woods and marshes)
Handy tools...the coating is horrible. The only fancy thing I did to mine was to fill the fixing hole with a large copper harness rivet filed flat inside and out, just because 🙂
The Chogan wasn't around when I got this. It sells here for twice the price of the trail hawk, I know this works, so that's why I recommended it....all my review's are based on several years use.
Haha, it’s hard to find elbow grease because elbows are in short supply due to an explosion in global politician numbers. Some have tried knee grease instead but it’s awkward to use.
I have a Trail Hawk, and when I got it the finish and sharpness was awful, but with very little work the edge can be honed to razor sharpness, and it is a fabulous all round light camp axe. The same can be said of the British MOD survival knife (which I also have), it's supplied blunt and looks as rough as hell, but with a bit of work it transforms into an unbreakable and very versatile yet under rated knife.
100% agree with MOD knife comment. I've taken off the top guard, shaped the handle, honed the blade and made a new sheath. It is an outstanding beast, lively chopper splitter and more than capable of finer work. Now I think it is going to have a new pal with a trail hawk.
Nice tool, but definitely does not compare/do the work a hatchet can do. I personally find there is not enough weight to the head. BUUUUT it looks cool, works for light tasks! :) Good video.
I agree, if I'm working out of a vehicle or at a base location then I have several axes I could use, but for backpacking and light use they are ideal. Thanks for your comment
So leave the handle at home to save a mere 300g, then spend HOURS making a handle for the tomahawk, possibly from inferior wood, NAH I'll keep the handle with mine
I have a trailhawk and love it. My favourite. I prefer a very light hawk to a small axe or hatchet any day any season.
However I live the UK so never have the need to carry ANY axe or hawk. The biggest items I carry is an old Fiskers 6inch sliding saw, the black one, and a £4.50 hultafors craftsman knife.
Together they weigh less than a Tesco sandwich.
I just cant be doing with carting stuff around just for the sake of it.
It should have been noted that the first thing to do is remove an throw away set screw. Next, carefully shave and sand top end of handle to perfectly fit the inside shape of head. This way it will seat nice and tight without scraping a notch. Love this tool for all of the reasons you mention plus throwing. Great video.
Another advantage if you’re less concerned about weight you could carry 2 tomahawk heads and one handle will work for them interchangeably (at least if you’re using cold steel or crkt) so you could have one for lighter jobs and one for heavy jobs like using either the trail hawk or frontier hawk along side the rifleman’s hawk
This somehow never occurred to me. Thanks for the idea
Totally agree with the bit on people putting all sorts of stuff on the handles all that just gets in the way of the functions. Great video that made me order myself one today.
I've had I've for years in my kit and have to agree. It holds a good edge too.
Best review so far I’m waiting for more mine to come in. I wish you had a school in Colorado I truly enjoy your channel your woods wisdom and tips and tricks are top notch.
I love finding a review of a tool that I already own and agree with. You've even made some of the same modifications to it that I did.
Best hands on video for this tomahawk that I've seen....especially making a handle.
Yes lots of benefits to using a tomahawk I use the Cold Steel Frontier hawk as my chopping tool larger blade than the trail hawk but doesn't have the pommel. Definitely an overlooked tool. Great video.
Another great video Neil, can't believe how good your channel is & that I'm only finding you now, I want one of those now 😁 👍
Nice video Neil. Hawks, and similar weight light hatchets and axes, are far more practical for British woodcrafting and camping in my mind.
Your amazing and I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing all of your videos!!! Blessings to you and your family 😇 🇺🇸
Love my trail hawk, one of my best buys ever i reckon.
I got mine from Tamerack outdoors.£33, Bargain! Big them up all day long.
They do other versions as well, one slightly lighter without the hammer. But the Hammer one seems to be most popular.
Good vid mate, you explained it very well.
nice video, love cold steel hawks I own nearly all of them, the Crkt chogan is my favorite, It can be a weapon or a serious survival tool, its on par with a hatchet easily, you could take the head and sheath and folding saw to drop weight, been listening to horace kepharts book on here recently and brought a Broc Kephart in 3v , love hawks, I love this channel, brought all the tbs boar folders after watching your video, love the micarta green best
Nice piece of kit, multiple uses 👍
CS Hawk is a great yet often overlooked piece of kit! Yours looks awesome, Nice simple aesthetic mods. Well presented informative Vid! Thanks for sharing! Love your logo!
ATB
BCB
Thanks for the comment. They are a god item that makes a lot of sense to carry when going light. Glad you like the logo too.
That's a good advice for carry worthy tool. Good presentation 😎👍
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and information. ATB.
Cold Steel Trail Hawk is a wonderful tool; thanks for the video.
Excellent video, thanks
I’ve got the CRKT woods Kangee and shogun for heavier jobs and a bug out tool kit. The spike makes a great entry tool in urban environments. And wood tasks.I’m about to buy the cold steel trail hawk for weekend trips.
You know it makes sense!!!....great review...woods
i gifted mine a year ago to my oldest son cause he liked it, and i already have some nice axes and hatchets but i've just ordered a new one for me, it was a lot of fun and nice piece of gear. 😍
Liking the look and price of that, Neil 😉👍🏼
Loved it thanks 👍🏼
Wow what an amazing video, keep doing your stuff man!
Thank you Eli! That is very kind. Have a look around at some of my other stuff, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Absolutely agree, had my hawk around four years.
Hi Neil, Ive been thinking of getting one of these for a while and I think you tipped me over the edge, very informative video mate
Did you get one Andy?
Great video Neil 👍
well done amigo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great review!!! :)
I have the Trail Hawk, have had it for years. Today I ordered its big brother the Riflemen's Hawk. Needed something with a bit more of a cutting edge. The Norse Hawk is also a good one. remove the head from the handle and you have an Ulu knife. Hope I spelled that right. Hawks are just plain down right good tools.
Hey I couldn't resist to subscribe, you got a cool & interesting channel. Take care & keep enjoying the great out of doors. - Marco
I too don't see an advantage to the handle wrap I like to be able to remove the head. I bought a CKRT Woods Chogan not because of quality but purely because the handle is round not tear drop shape making it much easier fashioning a handle on the go. Great video love your channel.
Hey pal, would you be able to do a comparison video between your norland hatchet and tomahawk.
I’m trying to decide between the two STYLES.
They seem very similar in portability.
I like all the advantages for the hawk you covered.
i’d assume the weight of a hatchet head would mean you don’t need to accelerate it so much giving you more control caving and it may be better at removing stock.
Cheers Neil
.k x
I often take my CS trail hawk and a small saw for the same reasons.
I've ordered one from Knives and Tools to complement my GBx carpenter's axe. ColdSteel UK were useless to try and order from, as they kept adding an undeletable sharpening puck to the order....I wouldn't have minded if it were a freebee, but at over 8 quid, I'll stick to my Tormek and favourite field stones.
Thanks 👍
I completely agree.
I've got both a trail hawk and the heavier riflemans hawk. Both have had the same treatment, paint removed from heads and mustard patina added, white hickory handles trimmed to match my size and sanded down to accept dark tea staining, hasn't worked as I hoped (going to try first leaching liquid from acorns, tannin stain)
Did the acorn stain work?
@@justsomeguywithaboomerang1891 Sort of worked, it took the bright pale hickory wood down to almost red oak colour (I ended up buying some black walnut hulls online and stained the wood an almost "tacticool" black, can't stand bright coloured wood in the woods and marshes)
Subbed and thumbs up.
look at the cold steel viking ax friction fit and a bigger head that you can improvise a haft for. got one love it check it out for 30 dollars US
Cheers for the informational video. What's that knife in the intro?
I'd love to know where you got the sheath for that trailhaek.
My brother made it. Contact him at :
Info@greencraft.me.uk
Used to be usarmy issue , thx much.
Great, again.
Oi you goh a loicense for tha' there edged weapon, cor blimey?
Where did you get that sheath from? Or is it a diy? Wanted to do one for my hawk but i am so crappy at leatherworking.....
Hi Pascal - my brother made it for me. You can contact him at - leon@greencraft.me.uk
Handy tools...the coating is horrible. The only fancy thing I did to mine was to fill the fixing hole with a large copper harness rivet filed flat inside and out, just because 🙂
That is genius... any pic of that?
PS: Does someone make a tomahawk head the size and shape of a hatchet, that would be heavier and better for splitting (say GB Wildlife head style)?
👍👍👍👍
What knife is that?
Norland axe. GB make the outdoor hatchet which is the same design.
try throwing it, i cut about 3 inches off mine and shes good fun to throw
I like the crkt chogan version.
The Chogan wasn't around when I got this. It sells here for twice the price of the trail hawk, I know this works, so that's why I recommended it....all my review's are based on several years use.
@@greencraft4783 the chogan is a hell of alot heavier thank the trail hawk. Does big work fast but hefty.
PPS: I've just realized this hawk's head weights roughly the same as my GB Small (formerly Mini) hatchet. LOL.
Hello, how do you achieve this colour in steel??
Leave it in vinegar for a couple of hours.
I always found tomahawks interesting. Does the head move when you chop? I enjoyed this!
Right. There's no hope for me so.
Pah! not for me! I shall bush craft a splint from sticks like a true outdoors warrior!
Hey no, I'm being serious. I have a bobble head.
Not really, but if it does you just tap it back tight - like a pick axe.
Thanks for getting back with that
I love using my tomahawk
I can't find elbow grease anywhere!
Haha, it’s hard to find elbow grease because elbows are in short supply due to an explosion in global politician numbers. Some have tried knee grease instead but it’s awkward to use.
Bonjour Is it good To split wood ?
It's not bad. For splitting kindling it's fine, if you have lots of wood to split have a look at my Hultafors Axes video.
Ok merci 🤗👍
Can you throw it ? J/K, thanks for the video.
Yes you can. I shortened the handle on mine so it throws better.
Why did you cut the handle down so much?
It makes it more hatchet size, and more portable in a small daysack
I have a Trail Hawk, and when I got it the finish and sharpness was awful, but with very little work the edge can be honed to razor sharpness, and it is a fabulous all round light camp axe. The same can be said of the British MOD survival knife (which I also have), it's supplied blunt and looks as rough as hell, but with a bit of work it transforms into an unbreakable and very versatile yet under rated knife.
100% agree with MOD knife comment. I've taken off the top guard, shaped the handle, honed the blade and made a new sheath. It is an outstanding beast, lively chopper splitter and more than capable of finer work. Now I think it is going to have a new pal with a trail hawk.
Ниче не понятно но оч интересно)
Nice tool, but definitely does not compare/do the work a hatchet can do. I personally find there is not enough weight to the head. BUUUUT it looks cool, works for light tasks! :) Good video.
I agree, if I'm working out of a vehicle or at a base location then I have several axes I could use, but for backpacking and light use they are ideal. Thanks for your comment
Hi
Hi Conor - all good?
Yes
You
So leave the handle at home to save a mere 300g, then spend HOURS making a handle for the tomahawk, possibly from inferior wood, NAH I'll keep the handle with mine
No sense of adventure Steve ;0)
What knife is it?