I love the pipe hawk. I bought my first one when i was 14. I then went out in the woods and chopped down a 5 inch thick ash tree, cut it to about 20 feet long, stripped all the bark off and used it to make a pole for an old fashioned cast iron bell. It was a lot of work for being so young yet, but it sure was fun!
I've always wanted one, but, alas, the budget restricts what can be purchased. For a few minutes, watching you wield yours, I was right there with you and enjoying that tool. Thanks my friend.
This is a great video. I have a CS Pipe Hawk and enjoy it. I, too, found that I'd rather carry the holy trinity - small axe, foldind saw, and belt knife. I like the cutting aspect of the pipe hawk, but found it challenging to split wood (which, perhaps, speaks more to my lack of skills than the pipe hawk.) I have a rotation of axes and hatchets, depending on the weather, and like carrying a Council Tools Boys Axe with a 24" handle - makes for a great pack axe. However, the pipe hawk is fun and I am glad she's in my rotation.
I really liked my Pipe Hawk but found I was not using it very much so I let it go in a trade. It was fast and light and very convenient to use but I found the slim round handle was too small for my XXL hand size. It kept turning in my hand and I had to grip it extra hard. I tried a cord wrap but it did not last. I miss it now and may get another one someday. Thanks for commenting
I agree Mark, the tomahawk is not a one tool option; yes I could filet a pike with one, but I could also baton with a filet knife within limits. I don't believe in "one tool options" either; better to know the limits of each tool and although you may push the limits of each, best to not push beyond their structural integrity. As kids we threw our pocket knives at stumps, but they broke. We found a screwdriver did much better at sticking and did not break. Thanks for your views. I enjoy your straight forward videos.
I'm a big fella so I leave the handles long, I actually just got a Viking Hand Axe (with the 30" handle) and it suits me the best. It's a bigger, badder, larger hawk well suited to my larger frame body type.
I am not a very big man at 5'10'' and 200lbs but I do have XXL hands. As a result I found the shaft on the hawk was too thin and hard to hold onto. I ended up letting it go to a friend. Thanks for commenting
I picked up a cold steel trail hawk eight years ago and found it to be a very capable tool in the woods. Light in the hand and deceptively effective despite its appearance...very fond of it still...a few years back I did a video matching the Trail Hawk against my friends Cold Steel Ghurka Kukri...He won the contest but not by much...My Hawk rides in the back of my Bronco, but every now and then finds its way onto my web gear or into a pack. Very good review Mark and I agree whole heartedly with your final assessment...atb...woods
MTwoodsrunner It is funny how often CS products are railed as being inferior when most are actually good performing products at reasonable prices. I've been considering adding a CS Trail Boss to my kit after talking with a number of people who have them. I will be watching you Trail Hawk video as well as the one that features the Condor Hudson Bay. Thanks fo commenting
Nice video! Your pipe hawk looks better than my trail hawk, but I agree completely with your findings. As a one tool option it offers a mediocre experience, but suffices in a pinch. Fun to carry around though and heaps of camp fun throwing one around!
Hello my friend. Good to hear from you. I just found your latest video and will be watching shortly. I agree with your thoughts on the tomahawk. Not my first choice cutting tool, but fun to use. Thanks for commenting
Hello Mark, that was a very good review not only of the Pipe Hawk but, Tomahawks in general. I have a couple of CS hawks and like them, I might even take them, if light weight is necessary but there are better tools. A hawk is very versatile but, my choice is a good fix blade knife and a small folding saw. I subscribed to you you because that was the best explanation on edge profile and feather sticking, I have ever heard.Learning the edge and angle of attack is critical to making feathers, You sir know what your talking about.
I am glad you enjoyed my review. I really like the tomahawk concept but I had to let the Pipe Hawk go as the handle was just too narrow for my XXL hands to hold onto in extended use. I am considering a custom hawk that would allow for a much larger diameter handle. Thanks for commenting
True Jim. The CS products may not have all the hype of some more expensive ones but the work well and as you say, are very reasonably priced. Thanks for commenting
Great video and thank you for posting this video. Your experience was much the same as mine with this tool. That’s the reason I usually carry a knife and a folding saw in the woods. The knife is sturdy enough to split wood and is pretty good when cross cutting limbs up to thumb size (yes I use a baton with the knife). The saw is better at cutting dead standing up to 75 mm (three inches) than any axe I’ve used. All that said, there are times I enjoy feeling like this might been what trappers did. I maybe a bit of a romantic sometimes. lol
Glad you enjoyed the video. I have a newer video introducing the Terava Skrama. I am finding it to be a good general use tool but is still a compromise between a knife an axe. I still always carry a belt knife and a saw but often ad a larger tool if I plan on doing work. Thanks for commenting
I am glad you you enjoyed the video. The mods were fun and easy. That is one of the nice things about the Cold Steel products. They are cheap enough you don't mind making the mods. Thank you for commenting
The nice thing about the Cold Steel products is that the prices are reasonable enough to allow testing different models until you find the one you like. Thanks for commenting
I have a few of them. For me, the Pipe Hawk, hands down is the best "all rounder" IMO. The hammer poll is extremely useful and the best hammer poll version. All the other ones are either too large and heavy where you might as well carry a proper axe anyway or too small and wimpy to do any real work. The Pipe Hawk is that perfect in-between.
Good video, if you take the handle off you can clean rabbits and squirrel s easier ;you can sharpen it enough to clean deer it’s not perfect but stick it in your belt and you’ve got the bases covered!
I'm gonna get 1.because I like ur review. An I've been wanting to get a decent hatchet.i would have liked to see it thrown. But still will purchase 1.thank u.🐸 poly-wog bushcraft 👍
I was in at Ron's about two weeks ago as well and saw them..I also saw the Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe there as well... wish I could justify the cost. Looks like it would be a lot of fun to use as well. Thanks for commenting
Very interesting experiment and informative content. Just wanted to know, if you were able to confirm the species of tree 🌳? I am not sure as well, but leaning towards oak, based upon similar distressed bark I have seen.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Honestly, I didn't spend any more time trying to ID the tree. You may well be correct about it being oak. I know it certainly felt like it. I agree with your observations on the bark. What caused me to lean toward maple was the very light colour of the wood. Most of the oak I find is a slightly darker colour. Thanks for commenting
Glad you enjoyed the video. You are right on about coffee roasting. I think it is more art than science. It may be my only real artistic en-devour..LOL..Glad you are enjoying it as well. Thanks for commenting
Oh man, I am not sure. It truly is easy to do yourself. I took the cord warp off mine as I found it more of a nuisance than benefit. Cutting and staining the handle is straight forward and the forced patina can be done with vinegar. I would recommend giving it a try yourself. You really can't go wrong and if you don't like it you could look for someone to give you a hand. Thanks for commenting
Hard to say since I have not owned the GB SFA. I do own the similar sized Hultafors though. Axes are generally more effective choppers/splitters because of the greater weight. They are also more expensive than the Pipe Hawk. Finally, the head of the axe cannot be easily removed or replaced as it can with the hawk. I guess you might say they are similar but different. I have since replaced the CS Pipe Hawk with the Terava Skrama which I find has a greater range of use. Hope this helps
I had a SFA which I gave away (not a fan of hatchets or "in-between" axes). Now I have my GB Scandinavian Forest axe and also a CS Pipe Hawk. The SFA would smoke the Pipe Hawk on most every task. Is what it is. Plus, the SFA and Pipe Hawk are almost the same exact weight yet you'll get much more effective work out of the SFA than the Pipe Hawk. But, at the same time, my Pipe Hawk is my number one favorite farm tool around the homestead. It has the better hammer too. The regular axe pols aren't really designed for hammering. You can but it's much more awkward than the Pipe Hawk and heavy hammering with a regular axe isn't recommended as you can weaken and warp the axe eye which can work loose the handle. Not an issue for the Pipe Hawk. You could hammer rocks all day with it no problems. My 4 seasons winter pack tools are (and this is almost always going to a camp location for a few days then back): - GB Scandinavian Forest axe - Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 folding bow saw - CS Spetznaz shovel (With a belt knife on hip and small stainless folding knife in pocket) My "minimalist" tools when traveling South to spend time with my family or trying to go/hike "light": - CS Pipe Hawk (may or may not include the handle) - ESEE Junglas (which I sling across my front or back when out of the backpack and in use) - small Silky saw - small stainless steel folder either in my pocket or inside the pouch I have on the Junglas sheath. I wouldn't want to have to put up cords worth of wood with a Pipe Hawk in the middle of a raging winter but it could be done if choosing reasonably sized wood for splitting up. The Pipe Hawk can split some larger stuff if it's straight grained and you have the proper "flick" technique down. Usually though, I'll baton larger stuff with the Junglas and keep the Pipe Hawk for hammering and general chopping, delimbing, etc (I would be very careful delimbing and chopping with a large knife....almost completely severed my left index finger one time by being tired and not paying attention.) It all comes down to what YOU need the tool to do for you. That's what makes the decision. Now reality..... If all you had was a CS Pipe Hawk and a small knife...this combination alone would probably be more than enough tool to get you through any theoretical "Survival" situation everyone always seems to ramble on about IF you have prior skills, knowledge, and experience. Plus, you can just carry the head on you even in a pocket and have an axe power level tool with you at all times as soon as you make a handle. That's pretty neat and versatile. My choice depends on if I'm going long distance or not. Native Americans really took to the tomahawk not only because it was a formidable weapon, but because it was just so utilitarian in a small and light package. These were people who traveled daily, mostly on foot, through the roughest terrains. They had home "bases" to go back to so no need for larger "camp" tools. It does so many things. Don't underestimate a good Hawk! 👍
I agree. I no longer have the Pipe Hawk. Traded it out for a variety of reasons. Mostly the small diameter of the shaft did not fit my XL hand. Thanks for commenting
From what I know of the history of tomahawks is that they were originally a weapon as you say, then used as a light, pack-able multitool. To me, they are a compromise. Not as good as a knife of knife work and not as good as an axe for axe work. I passed mine on as I could not get as much use out of it as I could other tools. Also, too small for my hands. Thanks for commenting
I think this is the longest I've watched anyone chopping wood. Good shit.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting
I love the pipe hawk. I bought my first one when i was 14. I then went out in the woods and chopped down a 5 inch thick ash tree, cut it to about 20 feet long, stripped all the bark off and used it to make a pole for an old fashioned cast iron bell. It was a lot of work for being so young yet, but it sure was fun!
Thanks for commenting
I love all of my cold steel products. They haven't let me down yet. The back ground of where you are is amazing
Cold Steel make great product for the money. Thanks for commenting
The most underrated tomahawk video great content!
I appreciate that!
I've always wanted one, but, alas, the budget restricts what can be purchased. For a few minutes, watching you wield yours, I was right there with you and enjoying that tool. Thanks my friend.
Glad you enjoyed brother. Great value tool but cheaper axes will do the job just as well. Thanks for commenting
This video displays the capabilities and weaknesses of the tomahawk. Good job.
Thank you for watching and commenting
This is a great video. I have a CS Pipe Hawk and enjoy it. I, too, found that I'd rather carry the holy trinity - small axe, foldind saw, and belt knife. I like the cutting aspect of the pipe hawk, but found it challenging to split wood (which, perhaps, speaks more to my lack of skills than the pipe hawk.) I have a rotation of axes and hatchets, depending on the weather, and like carrying a Council Tools Boys Axe with a 24" handle - makes for a great pack axe. However, the pipe hawk is fun and I am glad she's in my rotation.
I really liked my Pipe Hawk but found I was not using it very much so I let it go in a trade. It was fast and light and very convenient to use but I found the slim round handle was too small for my XXL hand size. It kept turning in my hand and I had to grip it extra hard. I tried a cord wrap but it did not last. I miss it now and may get another one someday. Thanks for commenting
I agree Mark, the tomahawk is not a one tool option; yes I could filet a pike with one, but I could also baton with a filet knife within limits. I don't believe in "one tool options" either; better to know the limits of each tool and although you may push the limits of each, best to not push beyond their structural integrity. As kids we threw our pocket knives at stumps, but they broke. We found a screwdriver did much better at sticking and did not break. Thanks for your views. I enjoy your straight forward videos.
Right on. I agree with you. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for commenting
I'm a big fella so I leave the handles long, I actually just got a Viking Hand Axe (with the 30" handle) and it suits me the best. It's a bigger, badder, larger hawk well suited to my larger frame body type.
I am not a very big man at 5'10'' and 200lbs but I do have XXL hands. As a result I found the shaft on the hawk was too thin and hard to hold onto. I ended up letting it go to a friend. Thanks for commenting
I picked up a cold steel trail hawk eight years ago and found it to be a very capable tool in the woods.
Light in the hand and deceptively effective despite its appearance...very fond of it still...a few years back I did a video matching the Trail Hawk against my friends Cold Steel Ghurka Kukri...He won the contest but not by much...My Hawk rides in the back of my Bronco, but every now and then finds its way onto my web gear or into a pack.
Very good review Mark and I agree whole heartedly with your final assessment...atb...woods
MTwoodsrunner It is funny how often CS products are railed as being inferior when most are actually good performing products at reasonable prices. I've been considering adding a CS Trail Boss to my kit after talking with a number of people who have them. I will be watching you Trail Hawk video as well as the one that features the Condor Hudson Bay. Thanks fo commenting
Nice video! Your pipe hawk looks better than my trail hawk, but I agree completely with your findings. As a one tool option it offers a mediocre experience, but suffices in a pinch. Fun to carry around though and heaps of camp fun throwing one around!
Hello my friend. Good to hear from you. I just found your latest video and will be watching shortly. I agree with your thoughts on the tomahawk. Not my first choice cutting tool, but fun to use. Thanks for commenting
Hello Mark, that was a very good review not only of the Pipe Hawk but, Tomahawks in general. I have a couple of CS hawks and like them, I might even take them, if light weight is necessary but there are better tools. A hawk is very versatile but, my choice is a good fix blade knife and a small folding saw. I subscribed to you you because that was the best explanation on edge profile and feather sticking, I have ever heard.Learning the edge and angle of attack is critical to making feathers, You sir know what your talking about.
I am glad you enjoyed my review. I really like the tomahawk concept but I had to let the Pipe Hawk go as the handle was just too narrow for my XXL hands to hold onto in extended use. I am considering a custom hawk that would allow for a much larger diameter handle. Thanks for commenting
played with the cold steel trail hawk a few years ago and liked it. overall like how cold steel products are accessible cost wise and usable.
True Jim. The CS products may not have all the hype of some more expensive ones but the work well and as you say, are very reasonably priced. Thanks for commenting
Fun tool,I have several hawke s ,just nice to have in the woods
I agree. Hawks are easy to carry and a lot of fun to use. Thanks for commenting
Great video and thank you for posting this video. Your experience was much the same as mine with this tool. That’s the reason I usually carry a knife and a folding saw in the woods. The knife is sturdy enough to split wood and is pretty good when cross cutting limbs up to thumb size (yes I use a baton with the knife). The saw is better at cutting dead standing up to 75 mm (three inches) than any axe I’ve used. All that said, there are times I enjoy feeling like this might been what trappers did. I maybe a bit of a romantic sometimes. lol
Glad you enjoyed the video. I have a newer video introducing the Terava Skrama. I am finding it to be a good general use tool but is still a compromise between a knife an axe. I still always carry a belt knife and a saw but often ad a larger tool if I plan on doing work. Thanks for commenting
Best review I've seen in a while. Thanks Mark.
Glad you liked it. Thank you for commenting
Good job! yes that is some very hard wood. That'll make a nice fire
Right on. Thanks for commenting
bravo mark! what an in depth, enjoyable review. really like the mods on that hawk.
I am glad you you enjoyed the video. The mods were fun and easy. That is one of the nice things about the Cold Steel products. They are cheap enough you don't mind making the mods. Thank you for commenting
Well done. I often wonder which Cold Steel Hawk is the best all rounder if you can have only one.
The nice thing about the Cold Steel products is that the prices are reasonable enough to allow testing different models until you find the one you like. Thanks for commenting
I have a few of them. For me, the Pipe Hawk, hands down is the best "all rounder" IMO. The hammer poll is extremely useful and the best hammer poll version.
All the other ones are either too large and heavy where you might as well carry a proper axe anyway or too small and wimpy to do any real work. The Pipe Hawk is that perfect in-between.
You could make a couple of wooden wood splitting wedges, and use the hammer 🙂
For sure. Thanks for commenting
Good video, if you take the handle off you can clean rabbits and squirrel s easier ;you can sharpen it enough to clean deer it’s not perfect but stick it in your belt and you’ve got the bases covered!
Good idea! Thanks for commenting
Thank you for this video. It really helps and does make all the difference.
Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for commenting
Great vid, hawks are a lot of fun!
So true. Thanks Randal
I'm gonna get 1.because I like ur review. An I've been wanting to get a decent hatchet.i would have liked to see it thrown. But still will purchase 1.thank u.🐸 poly-wog bushcraft 👍
Glad you liked the video. Throwing a hawk is fun but not really a useful skill in my opinion. Thanks for commenting
Great review thanks for posting 👍
Most welcome. Thanks for commenting
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting
They still stock this at the Halifax Surplus store as of 2 weeks ago
I was in at Ron's about two weeks ago as well and saw them..I also saw the Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe there as well... wish I could justify the cost. Looks like it would be a lot of fun to use as well. Thanks for commenting
My eleventythree layer folded katana would have felled that mapoak tree in a single, clean stroke!
My light sabre as well. Thanks for commenting
Very interesting experiment and informative content. Just wanted to know, if you were able to confirm the species of tree 🌳? I am not sure as well, but leaning towards oak, based upon similar distressed bark I have seen.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Honestly, I didn't spend any more time trying to ID the tree. You may well be correct about it being oak. I know it certainly felt like it. I agree with your observations on the bark. What caused me to lean toward maple was the very light colour of the wood. Most of the oak I find is a slightly darker colour. Thanks for commenting
The man with the saw is already sitting by his fire
I agree. Thanks for commenting
Great video and my coffee roasting is getting better a bit of an art lol
Glad you enjoyed the video. You are right on about coffee roasting. I think it is more art than science. It may be my only real artistic en-devour..LOL..Glad you are enjoying it as well. Thanks for commenting
Nice complete review.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft thanks to you!
Good video
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for commenting
if I could only have one it would be a big knife ( carving spitting and pounding ) but I can have the knife and the hawk !
I would take a big knife over a small hatchet or hawk any day as well. Thanks for commenting
Very good review sir!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for commenting
I need someone to customize mine..how can one search that online?
Oh man, I am not sure. It truly is easy to do yourself. I took the cord warp off mine as I found it more of a nuisance than benefit. Cutting and staining the handle is straight forward and the forced patina can be done with vinegar. I would recommend giving it a try yourself. You really can't go wrong and if you don't like it you could look for someone to give you a hand. Thanks for commenting
Would you say the same of the Granfors Bruks Small Forrest Axe?
Hard to say since I have not owned the GB SFA. I do own the similar sized Hultafors though. Axes are generally more effective choppers/splitters because of the greater weight. They are also more expensive than the Pipe Hawk. Finally, the head of the axe cannot be easily removed or replaced as it can with the hawk. I guess you might say they are similar but different. I have since replaced the CS Pipe Hawk with the Terava Skrama which I find has a greater range of use. Hope this helps
I had a SFA which I gave away (not a fan of hatchets or "in-between" axes). Now I have my GB Scandinavian Forest axe and also a CS Pipe Hawk.
The SFA would smoke the Pipe Hawk on most every task. Is what it is. Plus, the SFA and Pipe Hawk are almost the same exact weight yet you'll get much more effective work out of the SFA than the Pipe Hawk.
But, at the same time, my Pipe Hawk is my number one favorite farm tool around the homestead. It has the better hammer too. The regular axe pols aren't really designed for hammering. You can but it's much more awkward than the Pipe Hawk and heavy hammering with a regular axe isn't recommended as you can weaken and warp the axe eye which can work loose the handle.
Not an issue for the Pipe Hawk. You could hammer rocks all day with it no problems.
My 4 seasons winter pack tools are (and this is almost always going to a camp location for a few days then back):
- GB Scandinavian Forest axe
- Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 folding bow saw
- CS Spetznaz shovel
(With a belt knife on hip and small stainless folding knife in pocket)
My "minimalist" tools when traveling South to spend time with my family or trying to go/hike "light":
- CS Pipe Hawk (may or may not include the handle)
- ESEE Junglas (which I sling across my front or back when out of the backpack and in use)
- small Silky saw
- small stainless steel folder either in my pocket or inside the pouch I have on the Junglas sheath.
I wouldn't want to have to put up cords worth of wood with a Pipe Hawk in the middle of a raging winter but it could be done if choosing reasonably sized wood for splitting up. The Pipe Hawk can split some larger stuff if it's straight grained and you have the proper "flick" technique down.
Usually though, I'll baton larger stuff with the Junglas and keep the Pipe Hawk for hammering and general chopping, delimbing, etc (I would be very careful delimbing and chopping with a large knife....almost completely severed my left index finger one time by being tired and not paying attention.)
It all comes down to what YOU need the tool to do for you. That's what makes the decision.
Now reality.....
If all you had was a CS Pipe Hawk and a small knife...this combination alone would probably be more than enough tool to get you through any theoretical "Survival" situation everyone always seems to ramble on about IF you have prior skills, knowledge, and experience.
Plus, you can just carry the head on you even in a pocket and have an axe power level tool with you at all times as soon as you make a handle. That's pretty neat and versatile.
My choice depends on if I'm going long distance or not.
Native Americans really took to the tomahawk not only because it was a formidable weapon, but because it was just so utilitarian in a small and light package. These were people who traveled daily, mostly on foot, through the roughest terrains. They had home "bases" to go back to so no need for larger "camp" tools. It does so many things. Don't underestimate a good Hawk! 👍
it looks cool but a small machete or kukri is far more useful and better at chopping if you dont want to carry around an actual axe.
I agree. I no longer have the Pipe Hawk. Traded it out for a variety of reasons. Mostly the small diameter of the shaft did not fit my XL hand. Thanks for commenting
You made a no no by cutting the handle to short that’s where all your leverage is .
Thanks for commenting
If you had one shot to kill a bear wile it straight charged you......axe or tamahawk....
:) more of a weapon js...
But hey great vid
Like
From what I know of the history of tomahawks is that they were originally a weapon as you say, then used as a light, pack-able multitool. To me, they are a compromise. Not as good as a knife of knife work and not as good as an axe for axe work. I passed mine on as I could not get as much use out of it as I could other tools. Also, too small for my hands. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft great vid...
And i agree
@@MarkYoungBushcraft also..you replied...i subscribed
Thank you. I do appreciate that
Thot of getting one of thoz...
They are a lot of fun and good value. The handle is a bit thin in my hands. Thanks for commenting