American Tomahawk Model 1 Original "Vietnam Tomahawk" - Sharp Saturday

[@johnossendorf9979]

Nice video Brian ! $189 😳 is insane considering there are so many competitive offerings around half or less than half the price !

[@kennywheelus6857]

This is a good one or crkt,rmj Tactical an these other two companies was at blade show this year I bought a kestrel feather tomahawk, with g-10 handle scales, it's got the same bottom drop deployment sheath but is pricey, I paid 500.00 for mine.

[@MrFroggy29]

A tomahawk crkt made in china , cost 170 euros in france.. I prefer pay 200 euros for a hawk made in usa

[@wargriffin5]

Take one look at the RMJ/Winkler websites; that price could've been WAY worse.

[@tacticalceo685]

Nice video Brian its looks like a pretty good tomahawk I just can’t justify the price of that tomahawk there’s a lot more choices out there thanks for the video though.

[@kennywheelus6857]

Well it's cheaper than rmj,but they stand fully behind there tomahawks, Ryan Johnson has somewhat helped design the Crkt hawks,rmj hawks can cut through cars an cinder blocks with no problem an damage, lifetime warranty.

[@charlesjonestherednecknerd]

I love hawks. The only problem I see is the price. Yes, I know made in America but it is the price of many custom made hawks. The poly handle that goes through the head is better than the bolted on poly handles that flex bit much at the bolts. It does have a great sheath but I believe I would go CRKT Chogan first. Privet the bane of my yard. That stuff is kudzu like here in AR.

[@wargriffin5]

For RMJ, that price is 1/4 the price of their other tomahawks. It may be relatively expensive, but for the brand name and quality it could still be considered a good deal.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

Cold Steel bought American Tomahawk (if this has changed, it is very recent). They used to be independent but no longer are. I have one of the old models from when they were NOT cold steel. LaGana’s family used to get some of the money. They don’t anymore. The original model also has a lot more sharpened edges. One of the problems with the handle is that its round so you cannot immediately orient the blade. Its a great hawk, either way.

[@Danaelizabeth3262]

Cold steel does NOT nor have they ever owned American Tomahawk Company. Cold steel (not even made in America) puts American Tomahawk on their hawks but they are not affiliated. Cold Steel used the name and there was a legal battle, but they are not the same company.

[@longbow5423]

I've the original version with green wood handle. Never have used it frankly but I kept it in my truck for years. Now its in a box in the bedroom. Kind of a nice conversation piece to say the least. A good friend of mine from yrs ago at the Big Yellow Box factory where I worked was in VN and his company carried them but they were painted blue. Anyways nice review.

[@Laurarium]

Aerodynamic Rotation Manipulation System= arms

[@robertlehnert4148]

My understanding is while the original came issued with a leather (oxblood color) belt sheath, the great majority of the Nam Era user just slipped the handle through their web belt, just like many Indians and Colonials used to do. It was FAR faster into action that way,

[@Laurarium]

yes, another similar way is to slip the handle through a ring attatched to belt, rmj offers that too. However, at the courtesy of modern polymer, deployment from kydex scabbard is even quicker .

[@shawndegoniaii5979]

I have one I've had it for a couple years now. They're worth every penny. Absolutely the best hawk I've ever owned.

[@MrFroggy29]

I just ordered one in full black .

[@davebenson1294]

I bought mine when I was in Chu Lai in 1966. Still have it, and it also has an edge on the bottom side.

[@TheֆOne]

Tomahawks are an amazing piece of kit, I did however nearly swallow my tongue at hearing it was 189 dollars. I'm sure the designs great but there is nothing special about this particular one that justifies such a price. Cold Steel, SOG etc all make very good quality items that are better or comparable for far less without sacrificing on the quality. Some companies really do charge silly prices for some items which they can't justify. This goes for knives etc. I mean great piece of kit but at that price your better off buying from a competitor.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

It used to make sense because part of the money was given to LaGana’s family. Its owned by Cold Steel nowadays, so that no longer holds true.

[@TheֆOne]

@@grumpyoldwizard indeed, unfortunately there's so many comparable quality items nowadays that such prices cannot be justified. I'm a collector and often pay silly prices anyway but for actual use there are better options.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Actually, it is not owned by Cold Steel and, at least from my research, never has been.

[@Danaelizabeth3262]

Cold steel has never owned American Tomahawk Company. They use that name as a division for their Vietnam hawk that isn’t even made in America. The real Lagana design is made in the USA and they pay tribute to Lagana and his story.

[@vivianp5962]

Nice! Pricey $$$ but, nice.

[@jeremylaws7010]

I’m sorry that price is absolutely absurd

[@johnwebb4676]

This tool was first used to break steel bands on ano pallets and other suoplise. Triios fiund that rhey were a good close quarter action.

[@matthewmitchell8678]

It’s a very good thing that RMJ started making them. The previous manufacturer had some serious quality control issues. RMJ makes the best hawks period!! Great review!

[@paleo52]

I believe that American Tomahawk is owned by RMJTactical.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Yea it is now.

[@jimmelnyk7506]

Bryan - Two things: 1) Invest in a sprayer and some Bonide Eight insecticide. Spray your back yard three times, about a week apart and the bugs will be gone. 2) Tomahawks are weapons, not camping tools. On some other channels, testing would have included a ballistics dummy skull. For your channel, the tests you performed were fine.

[@MrFroggy29]

A tomahawk is a versatile tool Good for outdoor task I use tomahawk since 15 years.

[@DDDYLN]

How does 4140 steel compare to 1055 high carbon? I'm trying to decide if these are actually worth so much more than Cold Steel and Estwing tomahawks.

[@Laurarium]

This one is 1060 steel, similar to 1055. However, the design, handle, sheath, heat treatment, quality control are all better than coldsteel/ estwing tomahawk of similar size/weight.

[@DDDYLN]

​​@@LaurariumI'm sure it's higher quality than Cold Steel and Estwing. However, that's a hefty price tag! I bought a Cold Steel Tench Hawk, and I bought a replacement handle to go with it, because I know it will probably crack at some point. I think I only paid around $38. I'd love to have one of these, but I can't justify the price.

[@Laurarium]

@@DDDYLN Cold steels offers great value. Whether to buy this model1 is all up to you. I just want to say that you will get higher quality for its higher price, and there is not a same product on the market for less. But if you don’t need this exact design or quality, certainly there is other choices for less money.

[@DDDYLN]

@@Laurarium I have two awesome camping axes from Vaughan Tools. Sadly, Vaughan Tools went out of business about 7 months ago, because their tools were manufactured in the USA, and the big hardware stores wanted more profit margin. Vaughan axes are far superior to Estwing, because they use 1080 to 1090 carbon steel, and they're one piece forged, meaning the handle and axe head is a single piece of forged metal. Estwings are one piece forged as well, but they're soft 1055, and the blade edges tend to roll. The Vaughan camp axes are pretty much indestructible. I have a Craftsman camp axe from the 1970s. My mom gave it to me. She was big on camping trip vacations. We went every summer, usually twice. Vaughan made those camp axes for Craftsman. They're literally identical in every way, including the sheaths. Sadly, Craftsman isn't what it used to be either. I figure if I go camping, I'll bring my Vaughan camp axes (I have 2 different sizes). If I'm hiking, the Cold Steel Trench Hawk is purely for self defense, and light wood tasks. It has a great sheath. I certainly would try to chop up hardwood logs with it! But, for self defense, animal or human, a tomahawk beats a Bowie knife.

[@DDDYLN]

@@Laurarium I literally have like 25 Cold Steel knives and machetes. They make some great stuff, and some crap. You have to do your research, to determine what's good, and what's crap. Anything from Taiwan or South Africa, is typically very good. Anything from China typically is terrible.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

Like others have said it's the price, I know it's designed like the ones used in Nam but it's not the ones used in Nam. If Toyota build a car that looks like a Lamborghini but calls it a new Camry am I to pay 200k for a Toyota Camry? I'd think not is simple and effective it seems that's good but the price should reflect that.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Well, it is in fact the exact same design as used in Vietnam with just an option to have an upgraded handle. And it is also made in the USA, unlike almost all of the competing models. So, I get that it is not as cheap as those others and isn’t going to be for everyone. But I thought it was very cool and also a good example of what American craftsmanship should be.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose yes I know it's the exact same design but there's no value in just the design to justify the price if it were actual tomahawks used in Vietnam then maybe. And yes I appreciate that it's made in America and of course that will add value to it and it is cool as heck no doubt I'd like to have one personally. I don't know with the value of money going down and the cost of things staying the same or going up, maybe I see it different if it were 3 or 4 years ago when America wasn't being destroyed on purpose.

[@nothim7321]

Balance Orientation And Rotation Device... I have been watching for how damn long before I put this together....

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Whatever do you mean? ;-)

[@nothim7321]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose uh huh, uh huh.

[@edsweeney6843]

Nice but too pricey for me.

[@richardhenry1969]

Amazing hawk. It's way out of my price range. I personally have coldsteel trailhawk and frontier hawk. I also like wood handle with a friction fit head. I just can't understand how a tomahawk cost $189. Can't see it being that much better then my $25 coldsteel.

[@CrimsonCrux]

The balance, build and steel quality is noticeable compared to the Cold Steels and CRKT Chogans I own. I have 3 model 1's but honestly that price point is certainly a diminishing return and for the money I spent on 3, I could have just bought an RMJ Shrike (I end up with the same buyer's regret with expensive knives). The Gold Point model's head moved a lot for me and the handle wasn't really all that comfortable. The nylon handle model can be abused heavily but I found the shaft slippy and applied rescue tape for a better grip. The standard wooden handle version feels excellent because of the handle flaring and are probably the best ones overall for comfort and handling. The Model 1's serve better as breaching and combat tools but can perform well enough for bushcraft. Your $25 Cold Steel hawk (I have the pipe, spike and rifleman's) is always going to be a more economically sound tool in comparison, that you can beat on and replace if ever damaged for next to nothing and they're really fun to customize.

[@kennywheelus6857]

Kool,I've know about these for a bit now,I bought a rmj tomahawk from blade show Friday, a couple of weeks ago, I'm pretty sure American tomahawk was there too also finally got to meet Dave Canterbury and Corpral kelly from Pathfinder of SelfReliance Outfitters,so kool, I do like this tomahawk design qn handle better than the SOG tomahawks.

[@jimbob465]

Spending more than like 50 bucks on a tomahawk is ridiculous. It's just a small hunk of sharp on a stick

[@derekneumann]

That thing is NICE.... but a bit out of my budget. I have a CRKT Woods Chogan that after a bit of touch up is pretty sweet in the trees. Cheers for the vids!

[@AdamosDad]

Could you do a show on the Cold Steel TrenchHawk? It's not a great thrower but super for anything else.

[@mikebryant8082]

Brian..hit me up..I work for Thermacell..what do you need buddy?

[@SoCalPatriot81]

tomahawks are Fun!

[@mlsknnr]

Love me a Tomahawk! I have used one of one make or another since I was a kid running the woods. I have carried one any time I am in the bush (both Military or Civilian). I currently have two that I use, which one depends on what I think I might get into. Both are manufactured by Cold Steel, The Rifleman's Hawk and the Pipe hawk, both of which I have customized the heads and cutting edges on. They are lite weight, easier to pack than a hatchet or axe and the handles can be replaced easily in the back country. I have never cared for a rear spike on a hawk, it adds weight and IMHO throws off the balance and a hardened poll is more useful. I agree that this Hawk may be a useful tool for it's intended purpose but as I said, I don't see a use for the spike and the cost is unreasonable. Thanks for the video.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

The use for the spike is as a weapon

[@mlsknnr]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose I understand that, but it limits the overall use of the hawk for other tasks. A hawk by itself is an awesome weapon without the spike in the right hands.

[@jamescrowe7892]

I went to the Blade Show as well. Primarily to see the SRO/Pathfinder School guys. Went on Saturday. Hate I missed seeing you. I normally avoid Atlanta like the plague because of the traffic. Nice tomahawk. I've been looking for a good one. This one may fit the bill.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Sorry we missed each other. Unfortunately, I spend way too much time in Atlanta traffic.

[@pinkyellowblue007]

It's not better than a knife for fighting, the handle is really slippery especially with gloves and I can't figure out where this would be more useful than a big knife or a small axe.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

All I can say is a lot of folks who were literally fighting for their lives seemed to like it. Thankfully, I have never been in that position; so I can't really say it's not better than a knife for fighting.

[@BladeObssession]

Made in my hometown. Cool.

[@ncsaddlehunter77]

Great video of a great tool. Thanks Brian

[@joshuaritzheimer1382]

Man, that is cool! It looks top notch, and it's history is neat too!

[@Tom_H327]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But this is not anything like the original. I had a vietnam era tomahawk back in the 80's (I got it at a Army Surplus store in Mississippi) which had a OD green painted hickory wood handle. It was not gripped the way this "model" is. And the head was also OD green painted. Lastly, it came with a alice canvas belt pouch. So this tomahawk is nothing like the original.

[@Danaelizabeth3262]

The head design is Laganas design. American tomahawk company does offer a wood handle edition. They even painted it OD green in homage to the original. The kydex scabbard is a great upgrade to the pouch the original came with. They want it to be functional and easy to carry, not an exact replica.

[@Tom_H327]

@@mattyb5345 Um, yeah, that knurled handle was not a standard issue handle back in the Vietnam era. The original had a slick wood handle. I was commenting on the one he showed to us. Why am I explaining myself....again? 🙄

[@kennywheelus6857]

When thrown,this one hits hard

[@erolkavlakverizon6112]

To coin a phrase from forged in fire.."it will cut".. and "it will kill" .. Excellent review and when you stuck that first throw,your grin was ear to ear...

[@jenniferbauman4802]

Is that Chinese privet tree . If so it's toxic to burn. I would buy the SOG tomahawk it's the same thing . And you will save a lot of money. Good video. God bless. From Glenn CATT in Massachusetts. But the SOG is not made in the USA.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

No, the SOG is not made in the USA

[@dualsportoutdoors]

SOG hawks are very low quality and I can tell you from experience that SOG has HORRIBLE customer service

[@MrFroggy29]

@@dualsportoutdoors yes bad steel and bad handle and bad sheath...

[@mclyker]

Great stuff!

[@KennyLee-h1f]

i ordered this hawk and WOW!...i just can't wait to put my hands on this baby!, and take it to my camp!...