Swapping the knife for a tomahawk

[scrolllock]

G'day,

I'm working on an ultra-light pack for the bush.

Talking seriously bare essentials for doing it all. The leatherman of camping packs

Tossing up the idea of swapping the knife for a tomahawk with a blade on the back end.

Before anyone says, I know that'll be heavier than a knife

Figure though it ticks a few boxes... cutting, chopping, prying, digging (sort of).

Anyone taken the plunge and done this?

[Hatter]

Good thread on tomahawk options going on here FYI.

Favourite tomahawk.

[WesleySnipes]

Hey buddy!

The thread Hatter mentioned above was made to see if anyone other than me regularly uses a tomahawk and what their preferences are. I tend to use a CRKT Kangee for all the uses you've described, it's is an excellent piece and the best tomahawk I've owned (I've had quite a few). It's full tang one piece construction gives it amazing strength which is an advantage over other hawks that are made of two or more pieces, so it's near impossible to break. Steel is unbreakable and hold a good edge. I've tested it on metal and it gets through it in no time and shows hardly any wear. All edges of the head have a blade so it's really good at chopping, puncturing, cutting and prying!

Have a look at some reviews on YouTube and see if it would suit your needs! it really is a quality piece.

[Combat_Wombat]

Anyone tried skinning with a tommahawk? I think even the apaches used knives for that one

[WesleySnipes]

Anyone tried skinning with a tommahawk? I think even the apaches used knives for that one

It's difficult.

The blades on knives are usually of a smaller angle then tomahawk blades to create a sharper edge, but one that wouldn't last and stay sharp under constant chopping etc. So while tomahawks are designed for long term hard use and edge retention they're not quite as sharp and most knives as the angles are larger creating a more solid edge.

[Gregg]

Hey buddy!

Awww, Wesley found a friend

[scrolllock]

Have a look at some reviews on YouTube and see if it would suit your needs! it really is a quality piece.

I will mate, thanks.

[bigfellascott]

What do you use these Tomahawks for? I've never found I've ever needed one.

[scrolllock]

The blades on knives are usually of a smaller angle then tomahawk blades to create a sharper edge, but one that wouldn't last and stay sharp under constant chopping etc. So while tomahawks are designed for long term hard use and edge retention they're not quite as sharp and most knives as the angles are larger creating a more solid edge.

That's the kind of stuff I'm tossing up between.

I know carrying a knife doesn't sound like much, but it all adds up.

If I went down this path it would be head-side for chopping, blade-side for cutting - no exceptions. Just gotta find the right bladed one...

[Redwood]

What do you use these Tomahawks for? I've never found I've ever needed one.

Basically a multi tool for me.

I have this Gerber...



Chopping wood, hammering pegs, the pry-bar end is good too on softer wood and you can pull it apart instead of chopping which saves time.

I opted for the handle in the blade, but others work as a shovel for small fire pits too.

I'd never swap for a knife though. Always take one too.

[Grrzrr]

Just stick the knife in your bag too for now and go for a few trips without using it.

If you can do 4-5 trips without having to get it out you should be right.

[bigfellascott]

What do you use these Tomahawks for? I've never found I've ever needed one.

Basically a multi tool for me.

I have this Gerber...



Chopping wood, hammering pegs, the pry-bar end is good too on softer wood and you can pull it apart instead of chopping which saves time.

I opted for the handle in the blade, but others work as a shovel for small fire pits too.

I'd never swap for a knife though. Always take one too.

Thanks for that mate, I think I had a tomahawk as a kid but these days I us a chainsaw when I go camping for wood cutting and chains for dragging trees up for the fire (cut em into 2m lengths for the fire once back at camp)

As for cutting rope etc, I just use the same knife I use to cut up dinner with, I use the hammer from the tool kit if needed to knock pegs in - the one thing that really comes in handy is a long handle shovel for getting the coals out of the fire for the cooking duties and digging holes for the toilet etc.

[WesleySnipes]

Hey buddy!

Awww, Wesley found a friend

Just making friends everywhere I go

What do you use these Tomahawks for? I've never found I've ever needed one.

As mentioned above, just use it as a general multi use tool that is useful in many situations. When I go hunting I tend to camp and only take my pack with with me so a chainsaw isn't really an option, and I love throwing it too

The blades on knives are usually of a smaller angle then tomahawk blades to create a sharper edge, but one that wouldn't last and stay sharp under constant chopping etc. So while tomahawks are designed for long term hard use and edge retention they're not quite as sharp and most knives as the angles are larger creating a more solid edge.

That's the kind of stuff I'm tossing up between.

I know carrying a knife doesn't sound like much, but it all adds up.

If I went down this path it would be head-side for chopping, blade-side for cutting - no exceptions. Just gotta find the right bladed one...

Yeah I agree, the CRKT works great in that way as the whole top and bottom also have blades so it's good for cutting, chopping etc. For example, when I'm cutting meat I'll use the top side and roll it whilst applying downwards pressure which seems to work fine for me.

[scrolllock]

Yeah I agree, the CRKT works great in that way as the whole top and bottom also have blades so it's good for cutting, chopping etc. For example, when I'm cutting meat I'll use the top side and roll it whilst applying downwards pressure which seems to work fine for me.

Cheers Wes.

I'm gunna have a look at the CRKT stuff.

[WesleySnipes]

Cheers Wes.

I'm gunna have a look at the CRKT stuff.

No worries mate!

There's some good Aussie made stuff too, for a bit of extra coin like Hardcore Hardware. Make some real quality stuff!

[Wes]

Cheers Wes.

Got confused for a second there... Thinking huh? I didn't help with anything