Cold Steel Tomahawk Review and Cut Test

/ @preparedmind101
Preparedmind101 puts down the knives and machetes and double fists a couple Cold Steel Tomahawks for your viewing pleasure. With surprising results on the bottle cut test...

[@bonvivant55]

The problem is Mike, all you need to do the hammering is a flat surface. You don't need a big hammer on the back throwing the weight off of the hawk. They need to put the weight on the axe itself, and make a flat surface on the back. That's all they need to do.

[@rdpnc]

Thanks bro i think cutting the factory edge on the wood down and then setting head works

[@MrPotatoesLatkie]

Wow! Congratulations on your modifications. They have improved the look of the tomahawks 100+%!

[@aechols83]

Also, I used Jasco as Chris recommends and it is scary excellent. I personally liked the look without the gun bluing treatment. To deal with corrosion resistance, I used one of my favorite products, Renwax, which does a superb job.

[@1917cs]

One of the better review/test on cold steel tomahawks

[@garnet4utube]

Canadian winter hint ...You have to get yourself a wool fur lined trappers hat, makes tomahawking a pleasure. lol.

[@scottsherman5262]

Chris - I just purchased a CS Pipe Hawk & did the basic mods of striping & bluing the head, sanding/staining/English Oil the handle, cut it down to 19.5", & shaped it to friction fit well. I've got the leather edge cover & belt loop coming...this all started for me much the same way I imagine it starts for a lot of guys - catching The Patriot on TV recently - it's so inspiring to see a real American hero like Mel Gibson kick some evil British a$$...Mel is one of a rare bread of actor/star that you can feel good about your children revering & learning important life lessons from...well, alright, but The Patriot kicked a$$, come on! & that scene where he jumps from tree to rock to tree, all w preloaded muskets at the ready, & then finishes off the British patrol holding his son hostage with his knife & hawk - brings a freakin' tear to my eye...just the one eye, I lost my other in a badminton accident, but I digress - I cannot wait to walk around w my new old-looking hawk & just impress the hell out of whoever crosses my path - woohoo - thanks for the great hawk vids you've done! PS - I love this early PM101 vid, showing a plumper CT w poor audio, love it!

[@chefstich69]

Guy I learned about hawks from basically put it to me like this, "if your going to use a tomahawk you need to be able to fashion yourself with a new handle when you break the one you got" I find this to be especially true with the cold steel hawks. When I bought the hawk I bought an extra handle with it. That being said I ended up just leaving the extra at home due to the ease of making a new one from scratch while in the bush.

[@preparedmind101]

Also: A Hawk is a Multi tool of sorts not meant to have a stationary head like an ax. If you want it a little more snug, one thing I do is one wrap of hockey stick (the sticky kind) tape around the handle then seat the head. Not technically the way you are supposed to do it, but it works for me. I don't use hardware like the screw on the cold steel...not good on the wood handles. But Dave is correct in saying it is meant to seat and come off with a good whack on a hard surface.

[@preparedmind101]

No, I'm from Ohio. I do have the CS shovel, but I can't see that being an entirely fascinating video...

[@AnAppleWithEyes]

Fellow buckeye:) Great review. Been looking for a good, LIGHTWEIGHT tomahawk I could throw on my belt for campin/various outdoorsy shite. Keep em comin

[@stamm2366]

Tomahawk aktion is wat I like, you rock man Best greatings from Germany your Tribe

[@red5llaw]

OMG. Chris you bought Tomahawks!! I lost track of how many video's you said "No axes!" Good for you!

[@preparedmind101]

Tomahawks aren't axes. I DO however have a new Schrade SCAXE2. Though, I didn't buy it, and it's more of a hatchet.

[@englishalan222]

PREPAREDMIND101 Tomahawks aren't axes, you could have fooled me

[@quinnwaldron4907]

Actually tomahawks ARE considered axes but axes aren't considers tomahawks :)

[@F3EDER]

PREPAREDMIND101 They are. Tomahawk translates to "battle axe". "The name comes from Powhatan tamahaac, derived from the Proto-Algonquian root *temah- 'to cut off by tool'.[3] Algonquian cognates include Lenape təmahikan,[4] Malecite-Passamaquoddy tomhikon, Abenakidemahigan, all of which mean 'axe'."

[@ChristopherInglish]

I picked up a frontier hawk awhile back. I've not modified it, but after seeing yours and Zeuki1's hawks I may have to take a stab at it. I agree the frontier hawk is a beast and quite heavy for a hawk. I did pick up the longer handle for it that cold steel sells and decided to treat it more like a light axe. I really want to collect all the Hawks that Cold Steel puts out but my wallet does not allow it at this time. Great VID!

[@MilehighK5]

Cool, I just got a frontier hawk a few days ago! Sanding the handle as I watched this video.

[@jimsmith5867]

Gun Blue is a liqud for a rifle barrel that covers up knick's etc or covers up wear on the barrel.

[@preparedmind101]

Thanks. It's super easy. Just get some Jasco Paint and Epozy Stripper, sandpaper, and a stain color you like.

[@qparxiii]

This guy is NOT a little b**** .... I've been exploring these type of channels a while and this guy doesn't suck a***

[@835UltiMag]

Great video! I love your honesty about freezing your ass off! A lot of these "tough guys" post outdoor videos and pretend the weather doesn't phase them- LOL. Keep up the great videos!!

[@WeAllJuggleKnives]

Great vid, buddy!

[@Snugglez187]

No throwing test? Tomahawk throwing is a super relaxing and fun way to spend an afternoon. I might buy one of these if I knew how it was to throw.

[@dullbrass]

Nice! I cut paper with mine but never tried a bottle. Guess it's not that easy.

[@preparedmind101]

Haven't had that problem. I've found the stickiness wears off quickly. Might be a brand issue.

[@jackitfast]

wow guess good thing that squirrel wasn't a raccoon so you wouldn't mess your self

[@preparedmind101]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[@ExpertSurviveTips]

I got an idea for axe in the woods .. just take walking stick and put the head of axe inside your bag and when you need it you can mount it on walking stick . hope my idea helps you a bit . nice video and keep it up ! cand wait to see more videos from you !

[@spooneroldhound]

Nice review man

[@preparedmind101]

Try a wrap or two of sticky hockey tape and then seat the head.

[@rodneyambrose140]

I enjoy your videos. Keep up the intertainment

[@belindajones700]

Single edge hawke is made for throwing least thats what i use it for The pipe hawke is a desine of the tradictional native pipe hawke but its a hammer its possible to make into a pipe thanks for the video

[@wyldewest278]

hey great vid man! great idea. i bought one as a gift for my friend to help him start getting into bushcraft and camping. i didnt use it but i thought it was pretty sturdy. i just hated the way it looked! (i know tools arent for looks, but damnit i like having decent looking stuff lol) now im definitely going to hafta get one for myself! thanks!

[@terryreyn8143]

You seem a little touched but still a nice man and a fine American. Keep on toma-chopin. Go Mike.

[@preparedmind101]

Not me. I hate cold weather under 30 degrees...

[@CPLBSS88]

It is typical for a hawk to be friction fit...that is how they have been used for centuries. Do not forget thought that the hawk was primarily designed as a fighting implement, that happens to be useful for general bushcraft. If you plan on doing heavy chopping, use an axe. You do have to tap the head down every so often but that is just the nature of the beast. Some fitting will always be required with a hawk,,,again, thats just how it is.

[@preparedmind101]

Your answer from the big man himself: The handles are ment to be removable, haws were never ment to be thrown to be honest but it was done historically obviously,however the loosnes of the handle generally helps keep the from breakage on a bad throw, if the handle is loosening alot he is probably getting a lot of bad throws or does not have it seated properly by smacking the head end of the handle on a hard surface to use the weight of the head to seat it on the handle.

[@tomritter493]

nice vid chris didn't think but heard mountain men kept them razor sharp

[@preparedmind101]

If you ever get spare handles, You'll find they vary greatly.

[@preparedmind101]

What if you find a bottle of water but are too weak from dehydration to open the cap? I'm kidding of course. I just wanted to see if I could do it because nobody ever tries it.

[@Rob_h_floridaman]

Nice! That was a clean fucking hit on the top of that last bottle.

[@robeasy13]

Nice looking work.......07:08 TAKE THAT! LOL

[@SurThrive812]

Great info.! Okay I needed that reassurance and confirmation to know that I am not missing anything. Next time you talk to the big guy himself, tell him thanks, lol...lol. Also Are you planning anytime soon to add his scout hawk to your AXE reviews? Thanks Chris!!

[@Thulgore]

Just a small history thing........native americans (as far as I know) didn't have metal working until after invaders showed up. Indeed the apaches used them, I doubt they were the originators. On another note: something about they way you chop spooks me.......I almost assume you're going to end up with a bad injury. Just my very unprofessional opinion. Regardless thanks for the vid.

[@preparedmind101]

The only injury I've ever sustained with a blade was how I learned to GENTLY PLACE the blade onto the wood being batoned...not to chop it into it while holding it. You can probably guess how that ended up. Luckily, I still have that finger. I also don't spend a lot of time cutting water bottles with tomahawks...outside this one video.

[@nunyabusiness5427]

preparedmind101 Well I am sorry to say thats a suprize. The way you swing that tommy is dangerous to you and others...

[@preparedmind101]

Better go find a gentler, safer channel then. Maybe someone that does nerf reviews?

[@harryrichards7767]

They had tomahawks but they were made of stone.

[@mjxshipton9009]

Jared Jackson Right you are. The metal heads came as trade items primarily for furs.

[@destinywalker1959]

If water bottles ever become vivacious your all set!

[@preparedmind101]

Don't care for it. Don't see a need for the spike. Same front as the pipe hawk though, which I do like.

[@ThePrinceOfPleasure]

Gun blue? It's a color I presume? Is it a type of color you could get at every other paint store or what? Walmart is out of the question since I live in sweden.

[@karlberndsommer]

Thank you,,, I like your vid's!

[@tacticalfumble]

gun blue is a controlled rusting process that colors steel in a blue-ish color. it is not a paint.

[@coltonlackey1656]

Cool video

[@TheCWHatton]

bottle test??? I've never had to cut a bottle in order to survive. Now, the tree showed that it might work in a survival situation.

[@SurThrive812]

Chris , I just received the Pathfinder Scout Hawk. Very nice quality but I was disappointed that the axe head was not mounted. No hardware or instructions. I find it hard to believe if I just hammer it tight fir tension hold that'd will be enough. Skeptical here, I think a couple whacks or throws the axe head will come off. Suggestions?

[@zakal-aidy1182]

Nice u should do more bottle tests

[@rdpnc]

Hey i had a question about my rifleman hawk.After i stained and polyurethaned my handle, i cant get the head to tighten up and not move?I tried hitting it on head,but it still is loose?Any ideas bro? Thanks

[@rdpnc]

Are you from NC? You should do a video on cold steel shovel?

[@JohnRobertson22]

when used as a weapon, the Osage people would wrap the head, and some of the handle, with rawhide! maybe this would help!!!

[@preparedmind101]

Let me ask Dave what you should do and Ill get back to you...

[@ryangrondin3470]

Great review

[@mickel550]

tomahawk are sick

[@ghostfromdabay]

Nice jacket. What type is it.

[@Jbonn6141]

Cheapest I can find these in the UK is £40. Is this worth the money?

[@ollieboykin4258]

knowledge of a tool is more important than the price of a bowl of rice

[@timothyshayvideos]

i plan on forging out my own hawk.

[@Zingos]

Never in my life have i seen more disregard for weapon saftey as in this video. You where close to severing your throat and your left arm like 10 times in this video please dont do thath again

[@joelbenoitthewanderingbiso4976]

Are you kidding you must not watch any videos then, the blade never even came close to him, don't be such a fruitcake ya wanna be doctor. btw your not a boss either.

[@joelbenoitthewanderingbiso4976]

just curious if you also contact movie actors and complain to them?

[@michaelandersen5453]

H&B forge that is the forge that did my hawk.

[@patrickgermond2750]

Which one is better at chopping? Are they both good throwing hawks?

[@ZombieTestLabs]

how do you think about the spike hawk

[@blackwolfoutdoorsbyabelgar5842]

What kind of jacket is that man its pretty nice

[@douglasfraser4972]

Cut a ten inch section from a bicycle inner tube ( 700x35/450) and slide in onto the handle. It makes for a very secure grip. Douglas Fraser - "The Prepper's Book of Idea" (Amazon, Kindle)

[@LOLTROLLKING968]

Ranger band

[@michaelmowder4870]

The lack of knowledge on this video is hilarious

[@Davey14]

i was thinking the same lol.

[@Davey14]

the term "all the gear and near idea" springs to mind....

[@joelbenoitthewanderingbiso4976]

and you are a professional at what?

[@codandihill1552]

not sure if the hawk is dull or he just doesn't know how to chop. Any comments folks?

[@4NIGHT0WOLF9]

looks like a cool version of pee wee herman

[@CYOTsNiper]

Did you cut down your handles at all or are they stock length of 22"?

[@averyduvall3398]

How heavy are they?

[@owlscout3009]

Hi. Have you ever switched in a longer handle on a tomahawk, and if so was it more efective?

[@preparedmind101]

Post a video reply when you are done pimping it out!

[@Wildlogger65]

Go easy champ. You only have so many trees in your back yard.

[@Temporalplace]

What is Pipe Hawks head weight ?

[@toadstrul]

prep made a funny he said lickidey split and cut it in half

[@ZombieTestLabs]

wich cold steel hawk would you recomend

[@Kiltedpir8]

which jacket is that?

[@TheFunkhouser]

Daniel Day Lewis would be proud =D

[@virginiacopeland108]

Thanks! --- Clark

[@carlosalejandro1997]

One on the right is actually more native american traditional.

[@ollieboykin4258]

this tool is made for choping

[@preparedmind101]

Work Sharp knife and tool sharpener will fix that problem fast.

[@ollieboykin4258]

cold steel is a good hawk

[@_Mordion_]

The problem with these is, if you want a throwing tomahawk it's not gonna work. I have about 5 coldsteel hawks and I've tried every method in the book at getting the head to stay on the handle and it's just not going to after a while. I'm constantly having to mess with the handle and refit the head. Yeah yeah yeah... everyone says "but the head is supposed to be removable". The problem is, it's supposed to be removable when I WANT it removed, not when I don't. Weapons that disassemble themselves aren't good and tools that disassemble themselves aren't good. Not a good weapon, not a good tool. Summary.. if you want to chop wood, get a hatchet. If you want a good throwing weapon, get a well balanced knife. OR if you're determined to have a tomahawk get a full tang steel tomahawk with either a paracord wrapped handle or screwed on hard nylon handle. That's been the best solution in my experience.

[@ekrantzlotus06]

thanks for the info,

[@aechols83]

Chris, can you please explain how you got the handle to stain as dark as you did? My experience has been that the hickory is such a hard wood that it only darkens lightly and brings out contrast with the grain. I tried using walnut stain, applying with a paper towel and sanding in with a high grit steel wool. Thanks for any pointers.

[@preparedmind101]

Pretty sure I sanded it first, stained 2x, then a light coat of polyurethane.

[@brianmccann666]

You have to sand the handles before you stain them. Some handles need x2 to x4 coatings of stain to darken right. Then soak them with some oil if you wish...

[@rico300zx]

Cool

[@ZombieTestLabs]

norse rifleman or frontier

[@votered3539]

so did native americans have the axe with no hammer head. and later on bought that axe type from the french or something??

[@srbcee8]

Chris what do you think of the CRKT Hawks

[@brianmccann666]

He has reviewed them. Check out the videos...

[@feellnfroggy]

WITH ALL YOUR MODS DID YOU DO ANYTHINSHARPEN THE BLADE? I DONT REMEMBER HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY DEF NEED AFTERMARKET SHARPENING.

[@brianmccann666]

Yeah he said he sharpened them. Utility edge on one. Knife sharp on the other.

[@HeisenbergT94]

I wanted a review, not a rant on how you customized them

[@MrPotatoesLatkie]

I was glad to learn how he customized them. They look much better than the factory version. But, I may look into H&B Forge as mentioned above.

[@mr.whales3600]

Let's hang our hand over a stump and do an upwards chop 6 inches below it.

[@clancy6969]

Not that heavily modified.

[@user-od8cg3lh5f]

Кабину таким на раз два разобрать можно.

[@davidgilchrist3270]

This guy acts like an edgy 9 year old kid. Lol

[@bransongraf7352]

look at ZEUKI1's video for more reviews of cold steel hawks

[@brutallindigo]

I like my riflemens hawk

[@user-ph9lc6dd3k]

Привет из России англоговорящим людям

[@user-lu9ik6ck1r]

Давид Осипов привет ёпта