Cold Steel Rifleman's Hawk: Tomahawk On Steroids!!

tinyurl.com/mdwx6y6 In this first video since going full-time, Preparedmind101 examines the Cold Steel Rifleman's Hawk. This is my third tomahawk from Cold Steel, and the biggest. Somewhere between a large tomahawk and a small ax, the Rifleman's Hawk is a serious tool. But is it the RIGHT tool for the job, or just another quality hawk for the collection? That is what I try to decide in this video.
Want one? Buy from Amazon and support this channel:
www.amazon.com/...
PRODUCT PAGE: tinyurl.com/rif...
SUBSCRIBE: tinyurl.com/mdw...
FACEBOOK: preparedmind101
GOOGLE+: plus.google.com/+preparedmind101
TWITTER: Preparedmind101
INSTAGRAM: preparedmind101

[@ironfae]

The Rifleman Hawk was the first one I bought twenty years ago. It was tough as hell and chopped really well. The handle didn’t last that long but the blade was awesome. Three years ago I bought the newer model with a longer handle. This is a great tool for hunting, camping, or processing wood. Anybody looking for a great axe should ALWAYS shop Cold Steel first.

[@bushmillsrare]

when swinging a heavy headed ax or hammer space your hands about 6 in apart and roll your wrist on contact with wood and lift the head using the bounce of the swing, conserves energy.

[@bushmillsrare]

chris with handles that are round,or oval you can use old railroad air hose cut in 4 in. pieces as a handle protector by sliding them up the handle all the way to the head of the ax. if you miss or over swing the air hose will hit the log and not the handle.

[@palerider7171]

Chris, glad you tried the Rifleman's Hawk. I have owned my for several years and own a Trail Boss as well. As I stated on the Trail Boss vid. The Trail Boss is my camp axe and I decided to use the Rifleman as a pack axe. First of all lose the set screw. If you use the set screw the head will become lose since the head will pivot on the set screw and wallow the haft at the top and bottom of the half eye. I heed the advice of hawk owners and took the set screw out a friction fitted the head. Works much better. This also allows me to break down the hawk for packing and to pack various length handles. As Nebel stated the 30" handle is available and makes the Rifleman into a great small axe. If I need a hatchet I switch to the 22" and for batoning I can use the 19". I also have a Warhammer so can I a pack that head for mini sledge/pick axe. It all about the options. This and its lighter weight is why the Rifleman's Hawk edges out the Trail Boss as a pack axe in my opinion.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I think your problems with the heavier hawk is due to how far you're choking up on that shaft... You gotta work the whole shaft son...

[@preparedmind101]

The problem is it weighs twice as much as all the other hawks. Size wise it's really a small axe head on a thin tomahawk shaft.

[@brianwilliams4395]

PREPAREDMIND101 in the video I saw you wrap the handle with tape and I think that is a good Idea with a hawk handle where there is no fawns foot. however with a axe handle I would advise using just boiled linseed oil and no handle wrap as polyurethane in my experience gives you blisters.

[@Mandalore06]

The whole shaft indeed.

[@dude_mccallaster]

Same reason I went with the TrailHawk, I already have a hatchet..

[@ashfox7498]

*giggling*

[@Wingman115]

I have a Cold Steel Trench Hawk and a Trail Hawk. I love them.

[@livingsurvival]

Hook your truck to the base of that tree with a chain and pull 'er backwards.

[@38MarcW]

Tape isn’t great on any handle sand back and stain if needed but then boiled linseed oil two coats slow to dry and then it’s weather resistant but the oil adds a grip great on hawks and axe bill hooks as well.

[@hawknives]

Chris! Good call on trying to support the small shoppes! As always .....nice customizing and improvements! Have a great day.... and thank you for taking time with the reviews! Peace! Hawk.

[@royphelps8084]

The reason I'm thinking about these , break a handle , just cut a good hickory 2nd growth sapling and whittle it to fit , go on hunting or camping . Rough it in with the axe head , there will be a glass something to break and scrape it into shape

[@mikeborrelli193]

The advantages of these over a similar weight hatchet is three fold.. 1. The head is a slip fit and handles can be easily removed or replaced in the field.. 2. It is impossible for the head to fly off the handle.. 3. Can be transported in two pieces. Head can be worn on belt in kydex sheath, handle stowed in pack..

[@dakotatotten5355]

Brother your handling these new videos man ! Been watching you for a while now and I got to say each video the info gets better the products get better and my gear evaluation and ideas get better thanks Chris your doing it brother !

[@patricksmith9297]

I would suggest you take a look at electrical shrink tube. It comes in various sizes and lengths. You simply cut what you need and shrink it with an electrical heat gun or blow torch. It is not cheap but there is no potential for unraveling

[@dakotabugg7204]

Chris I know this is a dumb comment before I make it because im sure you are aware or have already done it. But you should sand the haft and friction fit the head before placing the set screw, if you use it at all. Helps keep a much tighter fit and also places the weight a little bit farther forward.

[@mdbass9638]

For comfort, may I recommend any type of baseball bat grip. You can get it at Walmart or any other sporting goods store, and it is comfortable, durable, thick, and shock absorbing. My favorite is by Easton if you can find it, I would say give it a try.

[@silverwildeproductions1085]

Experience is knowledge, knowledge is information, information is helpful. May I ask 10 years later, is there any handle prep that you would do differently now?

[@BillyBOB-sm3rl]

When your chopping or hammering. There is an old blacksmith trick. Grip the handle and then run your thumb up the handle, it helps with aim an control.

[@1791Actual]

Nice review. And your refinishing of the heads is awesome!!! Gonna have to do that to mine to get some age/patina on them. Here's a little history for your viewers. The "rifleman's hawk" goes back to F&I / Revolutionary War period. It was the style of hawk carried by colonial riflemen due to their hammer poll for driving tent stakes and their weight for cutting down / trimming small to moderate trees for camps. The "trail hawk", with its smaller head, narrower poll, and lighter weight was a variation preferred by the trappers and mountainmen because they could still be used for trimming and for drivign stakes, but were muich lighter to carry. The "frontier hawk" is styeld more along the lines of the Native American hwks of the same period.

[@thereisonlybushcraft7850]

The axe bug is 100 percent real. Nice taste in tools man.

[@yusefali245]

Thank you I got the cold steal axe head walking cane it good

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Congrats at doing this full time now the fun really begins as you can venture out on real adventures!

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

I always liked these hawks but I think if I had to choose an all around axe type for wilderness use it would be the traditional small woodsman's axe/hatchet with hickory handle.

[@evillabrador1]

Cheap and cheerful and easy to put new handles or improvise and handle for. Good review.

[@Lunumbrus]

We use that tape in electronics assembly, for permanent tape-jobs. We call it Mastic Tape, it doesn't so much use an adhesive, it's like it melts and fuses to itself. Very soft rubber, or something.

[@hammocksponge3994]

Thanks for taking time with the wraps brother.

[@TrailWright]

Finally no commercials

[@alex_2g542]

The riflemen's hawk is actually the most traditional tomahawk cold steel makes. Most tomahawks in the 18th & 19th century have their axe head made about the size of the riflemen's. Cold steel other hawks are just on the smaller end of tomahawks.

[@BRTowe]

Yep. They were using those things in day to day life as well as fighting with them. The dainty little hawks everyone has now work fine for fighting, but not much else.

[@Kakele808]

Sometimes I think we need to be aware that we don't try to reinvent the wheel. "Hybrid" or "Niche" tools or weapons often fulfill our need for "cool" but when put into service in the real world they often suck. There is a reason those types of tools or weapons are missing from the historical timeline. For every purpose there will be a tool for it, and when pushed into service will perform beautifully. As for the "wraps" I tend to use Mountian Bike tire inner tubes.You can adjust the "grippyness" by running some coarse grit sand paper over the area. You can also use extra layers of inner tube to get the right hand filling feel. Just use a small bit of vaseline to tube it while pulling it over the existing layer. I've used them using the sock method...just sliding them on the handle/shaft, or by cutting them into differing width rings and overlapping them kinda like shingles or fish scales. The rings will work only if the diameter of the shaft is pretty tight against the rings. Wider rings have worked the best for me right around inch and a half to two and a half inches. Love your reviews, keep up the good work. Hope the above mentioned helps you out. Aloha.

[@stefanodogg280]

I have 4 of the Rifleman hawks.. they are fantastic throwers that even a beginner can get hits with. 15 feet is a prime distance. Hold low on the shaft and toss with moderate power, don't force it

[@red5llaw]

Chris, one day you will say "This thing is perfect, I like it just how it is, I'm not going to change a thing." and you will use it forever without changing it. THEN About 3000 subscribers of your will die from shock!

[@rolandsilva9743]

imho if I am using the hawk, the trail hawk makes more sense if I am going the extra weight I am going into the gb sfa range its so much more effective. Hawks were meant to be the ground between a hatchet and axe and as a multi tool option. The hawk can be used easily as a knife when you take the handle off. You can use it for skinning, digging in the earth and easy to replace the handle in the woods if you break it. Just mho I have the gb mini hatchet, the cs trail hawk and several axes. Very happy Thanks great video, these are so helpful in making buying choices and are great because you really don't have a predetermined opinion and I like to watch yo adapt and change based on the feed back you get from the tools during the review. Great job.

[@madmusial]

Really like the wrap idea. Looks great.

[@Fogyt121]

If the tree is on the ground you can always try standing on your knees. It saves the lower back pain and problems that develop over time.

[@theMIGHTYKICKSTAND]

Have you tried the Estwing? It's my EDC when I'm out on my property and the grip is far better than any tomahawk I own.

[@caelmcmurdo3264]

I am a baseball player and many peoples grips slowly fall off, and many people get this stuff called lizards skins, they have some really funky colors but you may be able to find one you like. Anyways it is very very grippy and I recommend it unless you can't find a good color!

[@royphelps8084]

My little brother chipped 1 bit on my double bit axe, I had from childhood , I put 2 handles on it after the first 1 grandpa made for me , it was very hard metal, use whet stones on it still weighs over 3 lbs , but thats what I was use to , a full sized double bit axes , , ive chopped squirrels and coon out of trees. 10 to 30 ft up a tree , just what I was use to doing , one handed up in trees . I got a 2.25 lbs boys axe to use now that I'm older and slowing down.

[@lckgilmo43]

One thing about tomahawks if you practice enough and careful, you can throw them. For me around 20 to 25 feet after they tumble. Sometimes Midway USA is pretty cheap to buy Cold Steel stuff.

[@upstage925]

You're a really good guy sir. I've watched a bunch of your videos including the ones on tops knives and I feel like you give an honest humble opinion, thank you for that =). I too am in central Ohio, haven't been here long but just got back into camping and stuff and I really appreciate what you have been doing. Take care sir, stay safe

[@Nate_HarietteYouTube_Adventure]

I took the cold steal war hammer handle and swapped it with the rifleman hawk the added length with make it on par with most full size axes

[@bigyin2794]

Kinetic energy= ½mass X velocity ² So the reason why the lighter hawk feels better is because kinetic energy ie the force delivered to the wood by the edge of the tool increases by the square of the speed you swing it, ie an exponential increase contribution to K.E.. However contribution of mass to K.E. is only half it's mass. That means to increase the force you deliver it's better to have a lighter head that you swing faster. Therefore to increase force rather than making the head heavier, it's better to make the haft longer.

[@albertlevy3721]

I have one of these. I never did understand the idea of the set screw without nothing to protect the handle.

[@timothynaquin8899]

Luso on Amazon has kydex sheaths for the cold Steel hawks for around $20

[@boomer16323]

SOG Fasthawk sheaths cost more than the Fasthawk. $20 Fasthawk from WalMart, $27 plastic SOG sheath on Amazon (although it comes with a Tek-Loc).

[@michiganhomestead5020]

Hey Chris! if I may make a suggestion> Buy a piece of 8/4 hickory and make your own handle and put a curve in it similar to a Wetterlings and see if that helps. Maybe even a palm swell, those straight handles on Tomahawks just are just plain awkward for me. Just a thought, I really enjoyed the video. Indecisiveness is not bad in a review, it shows a thought process in progress. Thanks!!!

[@alytijo]

I like the way to support the little business owner and personalize your cutting tools excellent video and info. I used to be a safety Nazi ha ha.

[@TheZeno4444]

Tomahawks are designed as weapons first (speed vs. weight, ala Bruce Lee, and long handle for two hand power and throwing function). With that in mind I prefer the Trail Hawk, it has a hammer poll/head crusher (2 1/4 inch blade, mine weighs 22 oz). The Pipe Hawk is heavier, 26 to 28 oz., 3 inch blade. Surprisingly good choppers their heads are designed to be detached from handles, like a mattock, and used as a chisel, hand plane, splitting wedge, etc.; more portable also. The Frontier Hawk is lighter 21 oz, 3 1/4 inch blade, but lacks headache inducer poll and is less useful as detached tool. Rifleman's Hawk weighs 32 oz., 3 1/2 inch blade, starts to loose the dual purpose, "on the go" advantage. C.S.'s all need "work"- remove burrs in eye around set screw hole and socket edges, remove paint (use stripper), fit handle to head if needed, sharpen and oil.

[@WastelandSeven]

Very cool. (and I for one don't mind the tangents)

[@MichaelMixson]

if you put a thick stain on it and fill in the set screw hole with Elmer's wood filler once you put it back together the head will stay on nice and tight!!!!!!! Cold steel tends to use power tools to apply the set screws so you get to deep a hole that's where the wood filler comes in

[@jefferypayne6911]

I have ha one of these for bout 2 mouths and I love it

[@dahartman88]

I dont mind modding something to make it better. Hope to get one soon.

[@thatoneengineer5525]

I just bought this hawk from your Amazon store, freaking amazing!

[@Bjornkyn]

If you're having trouble with the weight, you can often make the heavier hawks work better with a longer haft. Cold Steel sells 30" hafts for their warhammer that fit their hawks as well. Put the longer haft on, then cut it to the length you like.

[@preparedmind101]

I can't wait to try that. Any recommended places to get one, or do you have to get it from Cold Steel? Likewise..I wonder what a cut down Warhammer would feel like?

[@Bjornkyn]

PREPAREDMIND101 I think I got them from knifecenter.com. A good ballpark figure for tomahawks is 1" of handle length per ounce of weight. I think the Rifleman's hawk weighs 30 oz without the haft, so the full length 30" warhammer handle would probably balance best. When hafted like this, the "sweet spot" for handling seems to be about 1/3 of the way up the handle from the bottom, not at the actual bottom of the haft. I'm not a real fan of the Rifleman's hawk. Of the Cold Steel hawks, I think the pipe hawk does the job of the rifleman's better than the rifleman's does, and the trail hawk is the real sweetheart of the line. As for a cut down war hammer, depends on what you want it for. If you want to use it as a digging/building tool, a cut down one would be a good idea. For use as a weapon, they are really a two-handed weapon, and you'd want the full length. I have a couple of them, and actually used one to handily demolish a cement block wall.

[@TheSilverBinder]

I believe your biggest problem is choking up on the handle to far. Tape on a handle is not a good thing, your hands need to move on the handle. I take the finish off and treat it with tung oil or boiled linseed oil. Use a maple stain to get a darker color. These are good axes and I own a couple of them. Great job on the video.

[@preparedmind101]

I've tried it at all different positions.

[@SungTzu]

You might want to consider removing the set screw and replace it with a brass pin as a rivet, i have done this to my tomahawks. just a way the old timers did it.

[@robertmiller8578]

You can also get it on E-bay too

[@dwaynewalker986]

It's a good chopper. (I couldn't resist saying that because that's been the catchphrase selling point of extra large knives for years, a knife couldn't be a good outdoorsman's knife unless it was a "good chopper". You want a good chopper? ...carry a hawk.)

[@harryanderson6691]

A good honest review ....

[@starlingblack814]

I prefer the lighter hawks. They still bite deep into wood and are much more tactical. Thanks Chris for an interesting video.

[@KowboyUSA]

All the Cold Steel hawks seems to throw pretty well. My personal preference, though, is the Norse Hawk, It's got really nice balance. Just thought I'd throw that in since you said you don't throw and others may.

[@brianmccann666]

Norse Hawk is great.

[@roysmith6010]

I have both of these.survival.... go light Regular use... Rifleman hawk. Both have their qualities.i put a longer handle on one of my rifleman hawks. It makes a better longer axe than shorter. I carry the frontier hawk when I bow hunt or forrage or just go walking I also have the viking hand axe and viking battle axe that are awesome in the woods. These are my favorite go to axes. I do everything with them including prepare food for dinner. Just slip the axe head off and use it for a knife. The uses are up to the imagination.

[@aditipigott1822]

Dude I got one and it cuts like a axe I love it

[@karlberndsommer]

whatever the tool is... I like the way you do presention

[@stuartmangold595]

maybe a much shorter handle on the rifleman's hawk would help with the control as well as friction fiting the head on combination with the set screw

[@preparedmind101]

I dont think the issue is handle length so much as handle thickness.

[@stuartmangold595]

could shave down the thickness from below the friction fit if it's too thick, but you may want to do any experimenting on a different handle, or take a stab at carving a new one after all the work you put in to improving the current one

[@chewher4171]

I loved the money joke.

[@Mushin-Flowstate]

You can get rescue tape at most hardware stores

[@tikkidaddy]

Chris...I got one of these about 10 years ago. I wanted a more permanent head since this is about the limit I can SAFELY swing. So I wrapped the area under the eye with Magic Wrap and set it with a hunk of pipe and a 2 lb sledge. Wrapped the rest in MW, and black spray painted the ugly into it to prevent rust. Fast forward. My family and I have beat the living camel crap out of it. The handle has not broken or cracked and surprisingly the head has not moved, does not wiggle. It's a tool. So I wanted it to function that way. A smaller hawk, sure go traditional, leave the head removable.

[@SpectreTheHorseman]

Hey buddy, thanks for the review, I've just been thinking about looking for a tomahawk

[@frankc6430]

chopping a big tree needs a big "V" notch ,not straight in... good video ,now I know why I like the Rifleman but I know need to see the Pipe to make up my mind... like in construction , I can swing a 16 oz hammer all day long, but if I do that with a 22oz my elbow starts to hurt, so yes, few little ounces makes a big difference on your energy...thanks.

[@shcmoly]

I'd like to see previews / reviews as is out of the box before you go and customize things.

[@preparedmind101]

There are hundreds of channels that do that.

[@raymeadus3823]

when u said something about the shock it made me think maybe ur new tapes/ raps feel good n grippy but i would think wilson rap has better shock resistance if so id stick with wilson rap for heavy choppers

[@disco0752]

Well lets get to Chopin and demonstrating this tomahawk. Nice cover. The bigger tomahawk is more useful and wont scare the kids. Best axe ever, my old boy scout axe, loved that thing! Nice tape, hmmm, magic wrap. Not bad chopping but work on the wedge more and a little less chopping a hole. As usual always fun to watch!

[@TheStoyanbahchevanov]

Hi Chris,it is nice that you are going for axes,I was thinking to get trail boss but I have got Hultafors Trekking Axe,it cost me 22 pounds in UK,it is made in Sweden,and it have Gransfors bruks quality on a budget price(I have made a short video).You can look for in US,it is good axe.Regards

[@bubbalove765]

Long live the reviews.

[@kbdavis767]

I understand this is a five year old post, but I don't suppose you have a video on how you stripped the axe head?

[@Rawdog550]

CamoForm the best wrap for a handle i have ever used!!!!

[@preparedmind101]

Gets really goopy and sticky though. At least it did when I had it on my blowgun.

[@paladinfalconer8578]

That was a very informative review. I am partial to Cold Steel products and I look for any reviews of their products. Thanks.

[@daz1975ify]

I have some of the tape you mentioned it amalgamating tape and its the bodgers best mate.

[@CavemanOutdoorsMissouri]

I also wonder what the intended purpose of a Tomahawk actually is. Its not an axe if that's what your looking for and I don't know if a larger Tomahawk is a good fighting tool

[@rsca94]

You should watch " what could possibly go wrong" from wranglerstar on how to get that hanging tree down.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Learn to adjust the angle of your swing to how the axe head bites into the wood. I got the trailnhawk and it is good you just need to know how to use it.

[@rasiabsgamingcorner2258]

For some reason I think I like this head shape on thhis Tomahawk

[@michaellove3461]

Yes sir I think you did a great job on how you made the steel look...I wanna do the same to mine, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me in on how you gave it that look...thanks

[@701overland]

Southblade has some good stuff!

[@crashburn8705]

you aught to do a review on the Cold Steel Viking hand axe, since there are very few reviews on it

[@brianmccann666]

Awesome idea...

[@DjTractus]

My rifleman 's hawk broke my my back stop lol

[@MrPleers]

I have seen many video's about Cold Steel tomahawk modifications. I wonder how long it will take for Cold Steel to get the hint and stop using that much hated black coating.

[@kylebates3627]

MrPleers since cold steel doesnt give a shit about their customers, it'll probably be right about the time hell freezes over.

[@brianmccann666]

The black coating is cheap for CS to use. Plus they actually like for customers to customize their tomahawks if the don't like the black coating. Me. If it wears off so be it. I might scrip it and blue it for fun. Maybe customizevthe handle too.

[@walkerburt8814]

You should check out the condor woodworker axe

[@sanraki]

My frontier hawk came with croocked handle and terrible rolled edge. Also the head didn't stay put even with the screw. Oh well I paid 10€ for it so it's ok for a project hawk.

[@oscarbear7498]

Awesome videos!

[@brad2king]

I just got a new small axe by hardcore hammers. Its a sweet tomahawk looking axe head with different style of handles. You should get one and do a review. Keep up the good work. Like the vids

[@vpowpow4033]

Had one, hated it’s weight and balance. Sold it.

[@davebusink2019]

Canadian here. Hockey tape can do the same. It won't roll on you.

[@AeolethNionian]

The head on this is not meant to be a tomahawk. If you put this head on the warhammer haft it turns into an awesome small axe.

[@preparedmind101]

Already done it a while ago. See my "Cold Steel Warhawk" video (they have since used that name on a new product).

[@brianmccann666]

PREPAREDMIND101 ... Noticed that too. Love YOUR Warhawk version better. Cold Steel should allow you you pick the 30" handles for $5 more imho. Maybe some day you'll test their Norse Hawk out or Viking Hand Axe.

[@turtle.trek.2023]

Well think about it the extra weight. Along with the rest of your pack is going to make your pack heavier. Or you can pretty much as you said do the same thing. And be lighter. Making your pack overall lighter THE LIGHTER OPTION SEEMS LIKE A NO-BRAINER.

[@anteeantee8144]

an axe has 2 be razorsharp for chopping and u dont really hit "hard" with an axe... u let the axe "fall" with an average amount of force... the axe should do the work for u... working with an axe is onyl hard if its done wrong... u should use the riflemans hawk with both hands cause of the weight ans lengths

[@riverrat2993]

riflemans hawk too head heavy....cut off the hammer head. square off the cut to use as the hammer head and to baton against. you just lost quite a bit of weight and moved the balance forward into the cutting edge...just saying :). i like the shape of the axe head its kind of thick and tapers into the handle hole. meaning you could use it to split wood by batoning against it better than a blade that abruptly turns into the handle mount hole.

[@MrRotkev]

Like the "Support your locals" not enough doing this

[@Sinicidal]

Make your own stain, then seal it with animal fat. Morrell works great.

[@rollingstoners1460]

Its a super old video but for anyone new to this video or the axe: if the head is wobbily like you could see when he was hitting the fallen tree. The screw is already useless at that point the hole in the wood were the screw goes in is already damaged. I dont know why on earth cold steel is still putting that freaking screw there. I just got a new axe today with the screw 2 strikes on the wood. Hole damaged and screw is useless.. so first thing you should do is take out that screw and trow it away. Useless thing. Sadly my axe head is crooked. Story of my life. I actually bought the "viking" battle axe. But after seeing this video i will go for this one. Seems like a great little tomahawk

[@fathersonsurvival]

Rifleman or CKrt Chogan?