H&B Forge Medium Camp Hawk vs Cold Steel Hudson Bay hawk

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Missed your review of the Hudson Hawk. Will go back and watch that now. Thanks for sharing

[@SliceyMcChop]

Great video, thanks man. Hudson bay hawk and h&b’s hawks are definitely a fav of mine and i think some of the finest looking hawks out there imo. I like your personal touches to your cold steel, looks great. Cheers

[@jonathanruiz8664]

I love your videos, you have the best hawk reviews/comparisons in my opinion! I’m a noob when it comes to bushcraft but what little I do know I’ve learned from your videos and others like them. I’ve split wood, made stakes, processed kindling, made and used batons, and even made a fire. I have no experience other than watching your vids, so that’s crazy to me that I’ve been able to do that stuff. Anyways, thanks for the great content and teaching! My next buy will definitely be the Hudson Bay Hawk

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thank you for the kind words, I am glad that you found value in the videos! It is great to hear that you are getting out there and practicing these skills!

[@bobsmoot2392]

Very informative. Your relaxed, friendly style of demonstration, is refreshing. Thank you.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@zeblion8293]

I like your vides keep them coming I really appreciate your reviews

[@dublbee3080]

Nice job Derrick. Just giving em what they asked for. You got to get out for a while in the white stuff. Seems like a win win.

[@markhaywood7307]

Nice to see an honest review. I own the hudson ,1x husqvarna forester axe and 2x husqvarna carpenters axe,1x sandvik general purpose long handle,1x Sandvik splitting Axe/Maul. All of those choices were not based on brand. quality- ability and fit for use...Oh Yes.

[@daveburklund2295]

They both do pretty good work for belt axes.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I like em both. The Cold Steel did some nice work in this video.

[@kejadventures241]

The only thing I would say is that h&b's teardrop handle can be a little tricky to improv a new handle for which can be kind of a downturn for people who want to backpack with just an ax head. Although, I love the handmade quality of my h&b.

[@ogarzabello]

How do you modify the handles? A tutorial will be appreciated. Also one about the edge profile that you use. Thx!

[@solgoode4075]

The heat treated, hardened poll on the Cold Steel, allowing hammering on steel, is an advantage worth mentioning.

[@jamesnelson1443]

Very nice review! I like the radius on the edges of HB for hand holding more comfortable!

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

Love these for bushcraft and camping. Way better than a standard crappy hatchet. I have the Rinaldi American boys axe which is just about perfect for pretty much most tasks you need in a bushcraft setting.

[@recon66661]

Great video thanks for sharing and stay safe out there!

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thanks, you too!

[@creamiegoodness]

Love my CS Hudson Bay. I need to order one of your kydex masks for it.

[@contrabassbob]

I'd love to see your thoughts on different length tomahawk handles, from stock to very short.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I am thinking of doing a video covering handles, how to make them and length selection etc. It is a topic I get questions on often.

[@scaredofghosts6813]

Cant decide between the trailhawk and the hudson😬

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Thats a tough choice, in the past trail hawks used to go on sale for 18-20$ with prices/availablility now its harder to justify buying both. Both are good options.

[@scaredofghosts6813]

@@Scablands_Scavenger im leaning more towards the trailhawk..looks a lil more manageable off the handle as well

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

When I think tomahawk I do think of a smaller handle since they are meant for throwing but then cold steels are for all the weight they got

[@sterlingd1984]

They can for sure be used for throwing, but they're not meant for it. They were originally made to be cheap, easy to carry "do-all" tools for people on the frontier. They were originally made and used as a barter item to trade with frontiersmen and natives

[@davef5916]

love it mate, good work!

[@redsorgum]

I like both of them, very cool looking. I don’t understand why anyone would be confused about taking the head off of the Tomahawk, and using it as a cutting instrument. Or using the hawk as a feather stick maker. I hope you and your family are doing well and are in very good health, peace.

[@kejadventures241]

You would be surprised how many people are convinced the head isn't supposed to come off. If you've ever been to Amazon and bought a cold steel tomahawk off of there some of the reviews are people talking about how their head screw came out so they need to return it. It's kind of hilarious. Some people are just incapable of creative thinking and need to have their hand held.

[@redsorgum]

@@kejadventures241 😂😂👏👏👏✌️

[@GravityRoller]

@@kejadventures241 Removing and disposing of that screw is the first thing that should be done to any CS tomahawk !##! Next comes haft fitment to head, followed by re-profiling & sharpening and handle length adjustment.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I am surprised by the amount of people I get questions from regarding the screw and how to make the head stay on. I think most of them are new to hand tools and have never used an old style mattock or pick with the same friction fit. They think that they need to put a wedge in it like a typical axe not knowing the difference is the taper in the eye, I have seen many large KZbinrs making the same mistake. Thanks for the comment, and the well wishes, and hope you are doing good also!!

[@GravityRoller]

@@Scablands_Scavenger I would assume many of those folks would choose to argue "the manufacturer put that screw in to secure the head ..., so therefore it MUST be needed". LOL-OMG Those same folks assume an axe, knife, etc. should come from manufacturer ready to use in any circumstance, without any consideration of all applicable applications a tool may have in the hands of a skilled experienced user. My son says, "can't fix stupid, Dad" as I argue maybe they are simply ignorant. Then I realize, willfully-ignorant is damn close to stupid and worth no more of my time. The more I learn, the less I know. Keep up the good work ;-)

[@ericlefebvre4288]

Hey great video, it was awesome to see a budget friendly hawk go up against the high end one. I was wondering how the Hudson Bay hawk compares to the pipe hawk. I know that are both good steel with a slightly different design.

[@theWZZA]

The Hudson Bay and the Pipe weigh about the same. The eye on the Hudson Bay looks like it might have more grip on the handle, which makes it less likely to slip.

[@ogarzabello]

Very good technique. Other KZbinrs don't have a clue.

[@internet0]

Rewatching some of your videos, have you ever considered a review of the CRKT Nobo or the newish CRKT Berserker? There are few videos of either on the Tubes and I think your testing format is great. I have both personally, but would like to see your opinion.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I have been looking at some of the other CRKT models, I would like to test them it is just a matter of finding time!

[@impermanenthuman8427]

My understanding is the H&B is a harder steel and I suspect that with a lot of regular use it will likely chip out rather roll the edge like the coldsteels are more likely to do with their 1055?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

From what I remember the H&B has a 1095 forge welded bit, but the heat treat (on mine anyway) was a touch softer than what the CS have. I would not call the H&B a "soft edge" or bad edge retention by any means, it holds an edge very well... but if I get it too sharp it will roll slightly when worked hard in knotted wood etc. I am perfectly happy with this as its easier to repair than a chip, normally just a quick stropping. The CS hawks are just a touch harder, I have had several chip if I get them too sharp or strike the ground in rocky soil etc. I would not say it is a "flaw" just what they went with for hardness. I normally adjust my edge to suit the thickness of blade, intended use etc. and have no issues other than working out a small chip every once in a while. I don't feel lacking carrying either one honestly... now maybe some 5160 or 4140 with a proper heat treat and the differences start to show a bit, but at a much higher cost.

[@impermanenthuman8427]

@ so basically they all have their pros and cons…I think the Hudson Bay hawk is the best compromise for now, even if I need to keep a fairly obtuse angle on the edge at least it has more cloud to brute force it’s way through a branch than the lighter hawks like the frontier and the trail, and the Hudson has a more practical surface area for hammering wood and stakes etc than the pipe, and then if I’m still unhappy with the performance of the edge in hard knotty wood maybe then I’ll get one from walkbyfaith. Thanks for the reply 👍🏻

[@solgoode4075]

Worth a mention, the Cold Steel has a hardened poll, allowing it to be used as a hammer without damage. More high end manufacturers should do this as well.

[@longbeardjr]

Great video! Where did you get the camo hoodie? I know they have a name. Just can’t think of it.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I cannot remember where I got it exactly. It was listed as "surplus anarak, multicalm".... wait I found it. Sportsmans Guide, "Brooklyn Armed Forces OCP Camo Jacket". I would link it but YT loves banning accounts linking to some sellers. I have seen them in OD Green occasionally too. Light weight shell, mine Is US made but some are not.

[@johnfaris309]

Hello. I recently purchased a Hudson Bay hawk and am trying to find a kydex sheath for it. Please let me know if you're presently making and selling sheaths for this model. I would be interested in picking one up. Thanks.

[@KowboyUSA]

One of these days the stars could align to where I can add the _pride of ownership_ model to my collection of Cold Steel hawks.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I hear ya! Most of mine were gifts and I most definitely appreciate them!

[@KowboyUSA]

@@Scablands_Scavenger Been collecting stuff to hopefully try my hand at forging. Until then, if any of my friends read this, they can feel to gift me one too!

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

@@KowboyUSA That is awesome! I gave away a small forge and anvil about 2 years ago...just didnt have time or space to use it where I currently live, someday I will build another one!

[@KowboyUSA]

​@@Scablands_Scavenger I hear that. Short on space. Would rather put free time into fishing more and getting back into doing some Winter camping.

[@dreamwalks8200]

Great review Scab. Bought the Hudson because of you. Can you tell me tho what chestrig/pouch this is you are wearing here? All the best.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

If I recall, this was the Hill People Gear Recon Kit Bag in green. Thanks for watching!

[@dreamwalks8200]

@@Scablands_Scavenger Thanks a lot mate. Keep it up!

[@MJGEGB]

Anyone who says "saws are better/more efficient" likely doesn't know how to use an axe efficiently. You use these hawks well from my perspective. I will say I'm tired of seeing saw bucked rounds split with an axe. But that's a personal pet peeve. My only real hawk is a Rinaldi Calabria 000. I like it quite a bit. The ability to remove the head was handy for field sharpening on a creek rock this past weekend. It's also good for feathers and other typical knife work in my experience.

[@brianmccann666]

Both are Great Tomahawks. The only advantage imho for Cold Steel is the cost being lower for a great workhorse tomahawk. Your own ability to resharpen either tool is the most important aspect. Being able to resharpen in the field is a must imho. Hopefully you can sharpen with a axe puck sharpening stone or sharpening Rods.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

CS definitely has the advantage on cost, I have purchased them on sale for less than $20 dollars at times. I agree with sharpening, tailoring the edge to your specific task and use will greatly increase efficiency and durability. I normally carry at a minimum a diamond card and strop in my wallet or pack.

[@brianmccann666]

@@Scablands_Scavenger i keep meaning to buy a H&B hawk. But i keep forgetting to pull the trigger on it. Hmm. I'll do a new look through. Get myself a bday present early... Hehehe.

[@elim7228]

@@brianmccann666 prepare to wait lol

[@juliansontheimer6635]

I Really like your Videos Wich one do U Like better the Hudson bay or the frontier hawk?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I like the Hudson Bay, I like to have a hammer for pounding stakes and doing other tasks. The extra weight helps with wood processing as well. Thanks for watching!

[@juliansontheimer6635]

@@Scablands_Scavenger Thank you for the answer!

[@juliansontheimer6635]

@@Scablands_Scavenger And i have another question: wich one do U Like better the Hudson bay or the Pipe Hawk (i want to buy one of These 2 but i am Not Sure wich, because they are very simiular, in my opinion the Pipe Hawk Looks better but the Hudson bay has a longer edge) Does one of them have a thicker Profile (better for splitting Wood) or are they simiular? Wich one is heavyer? Sorry If there are any spelling mistakes i am from Germany Best regards Julian

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

@@juliansontheimer6635 The Pipe hawk has a slightly thicker profile and the hudson has more cutting surface/blade. The hudson has a larger hammer and more head to handle contact. They weigh nearly identical, on mine: Hudson is 16.7oz Pipe:17oz. performance is very similar, kind of personal choice. I like the Hudson a little better but not for any real performance reasons, just preference.

[@andrewkeeton3627]

Nice vid man. H B website puts the medium head at 1lb and the small head at 3/4 lb or about 12.5 ish ounces. You sure you got the medium? Causes concern for someone about to order one and wait 4 months

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I would go off of what the website says when ordering, keep in mind I ordered mine about 9 years ago and they have changed up their offerings a little. For instance mine does not have a hardened hammer poll but for a time they offered them with hardened poll, I am not sure if they still do. For certain though if you have questions email or call before ordering. The long wait time is worth it if you are sure of what you are getting. For what it's worth I have bought/sold/traded many outdoor tools over the years but this one I plan to hand down to my children haha.

[@MrRourk]

H and B has the GOS - going out solo upgrade. Makes a world of difference.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Used to have that model, friends with the designer. Sadly had to let a few go to make room for others and passed it on to someone else. Liked it but was a bit heavier than I like a hawk to be.

[@Temporalplace]

Considering handle length, it looks more small camp hawk and not medium camp hawk. Did you cut the handle ? On other videos from youtube its longer.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Yes the first handle shown is short but this is the Medium Camp Hawk (I also have the GOShawk and a Franciscan by H&B). I Have several different handles of different length and wood types, one great benefit of the friction fit eye ! The one I show at about 1:39 - 1:50 min is the factory 19" that I used for this test.

[@gigachadtjk1956]

@@Scablands_Scavenger I have a question about their French hawks. Since you have the Franciscan one I would like to ask. How do the handles attach to H and B’s French Hawks? Is it just a friction fit or something else? I would like to have something with a handle that is easy to replace at home.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

@@gigachadtjk1956 The Franciscan I had was a slip fit Tomahawk style handle. I see the website is a little tricky in the wording describing the French axes hawks as well? Some appear to have a shoulder, ie fit like an axe, others may be slip fit. They really need to put these details in their descriptions. I would call before ordering to be sure.

[@gigachadtjk1956]

@@Scablands_Scavenger Thank you.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Both are fine tools to carry in the back woods. The hb might have better steel.

[@jjdogbutte]

Outstanding tomahawk porn as always! I’ve also been enjoying the tomahawk masks I got from you. The orange one is definitely harder to loose in the woods than the green one...

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Excellent! Glad to hear it, I am starting to really appreciate orange more myself!

[@w.w.9047]

HB forge is a no go in my book. They are months behind on an order and do not communicate with the customer. I personally do not recommend them. I’d rather buy from an honest, timely maker who actually has items in stock and delivers within the quoted timeframe.

[@Swearengen1980]

This is absurd. You're calling them dishonest because they don't have items in stock and aren't always one schedule when they have a single smith? That's how custom made items work from small businesses with a high demand you bonehead. And since you show such ignorance, I'm going to assume you don't have a clue about Rendezvous, where they're a regular merchant at Rendezvous all over the place. They sell their products to other vendors who travel country wide for their tents at Rendezvous throughout the year. H&B is a very well known and high demand smith in the Rendezvous world. So get over your butt hurt feelings if they were a month or so behind. Big f'n deal for a custom made product. Other hand forged hawks or knives from well known smiths can be a year or much longer of a back order. I personally do not recommend anyone listen to a word from an ignorant comment such as yours.

[@ecmo2007]

Do you know if the Hudson Bay is same axe head as the CS Trail Hawk? Also did you change any of the blade profile on the Hudson Bay Axe? One more question what jacket is that your wearing? Thank you for the video. I thought it was a really good comparison and I was just checking out the H&B. I'll probably just stick with my Cold Steel axes.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

The Trail hawk is lighter at just over 12 ounces, and has a much shorter cutting surface at 2 1/4". It is a much smaller head. I do generally change the profile of all the CS hawks I have bought, most were dull and uneven on arrival. I also prefer a slight/med convex edge for general purpose work. Thanks for watching!

[@jabawocki9462]

Interesting video, I appreciate you taking the time to test these hawks out in the wild. I read in one of the comment replys that you own the H&B Goshawk. Theres not many reviews of the Goshawk on youtube so I was curious about your opinion of the Goshawk compared to other H&B hawks you have experience with?

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Sure, I can try and give a condensed version. For most of what I do the Goshawk is in the weight and size class that really struggles between axe and hawk. At 20oz (just the head) it is not a lightweight but has a long thin bit and is not very good at splitting larger rounds. I find this size hawk/blade profile generally not suited for my uses (others with this profile would be the Cold steel rifleman and Cold steel Hudson Bay). I prefer a smaller profile hawk for belt carry/going light but when stepping up in weight I want something that can split larger rounds of wood more efficiently. I should point out that I live on the transition of pine forest and arid scablands so that influences my choice of tools. I normally either use a stick stove (small cooking fire, warmer months) or fire box/woodstove (larger rounds wintertime) so I pick the hawk/axe accordingly. The Goshawk is a great hawk, made very well and can do any of the tasks I have shown in this video (and others)... It is just in a weight/size that I do not really carry often.

[@jabawocki9462]

@@Scablands_Scavenger Interesting, thank you very much for taking the time to respond, that certainly helps in making a purchasing choice.

[@Swearengen1980]

I don't know why people would want an apples to oranges comparison. Different head sizes, different profiles, different handle lengths. Of course they're not going to perform the same. That's basic physics and, should be, common sense.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Seems a bit odd but I think people are not so interested in which one is "better" so much as they want to see the two working side by side so they can get a feel for what they are capable of. Many just like to see the tools in use before purchase. The H&B medium is a very popular seller for them, and the Cold Steel Hudson is also well liked.

[@Swearengen1980]

@@Scablands_Scavenger I get that. But H&B makes other products more equivalent to the capability of the Cold Steel. To me it's a no brainer unless you just can't afford the H&B or want to deal with the wait time. I buy most of my H&B's direct from them at Rendezvous, but have waited the 9 month turnaround for an ordered product. Side note - Fun tool for very select tasks that I picked up from H&B's tent last January, though I haven't seen it on their website, is a very beefy adze.

[@johnmutton799]

The Cold steel just looks like they got a cheap Hudson bay axe off the market and just put a hawk handle in it. It looks wrong.

[@terrybest8973]

The cold steel is way better hands down not a chance

[@ibanalduntzin]

First like first comment👊👊

[@JohnB-dr8sk]

Sorry but this is just a bad comparison ZEUK. These hawks have a fairly significant handle length difference (4" is a lot when it comes to chopping) and so this test tells me nothing. Only if they had identical handle lengths would it be a proper comparison.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

I am not here to "tell you" anything, simply to compare the tools. Stock handle length for the H&B Medium Camp Hawk is 19". Stock handle length for the Cold Steel is 22", I compared the tools as they would have been received so people would not complain about me modifying them for the comparison... I also doubt the tasks demonstrated choked up and with the head removed from the handle for use would be effected by handle length would they? If the handle length is a hang up for you, then you are free to make the length any that you choose, as I explain briefly at the 1:40 mark. By the way thank you for editing your comment about us "Stupid Americans". So many people these days like to run their keyboards rather than have an actual discussion.

[@theWZZA]

LOL, people ASKED for this. Did you even listen?

[@McXyu]

The biggest difference is steel quality where the cutting edge is. I re profiled my H&B, making left surface completely flat ( right handed) and sharpened it few degrees smaller. It is two levels above CS now. You can not make cutting edge on CS thin without immediately destroying it with use. Have few other hawks, but medium H&B seeing the most use because it is cutting better and holding edge long time. Silky saw and camp hawk is all I need in the woods for any task.

[@benchase7537]

Do you think the teardrop shaped handle on the camp hawk would be hard to make in the field?

[@McXyu]

Hello, You cut and fit any stick that stay tight in it, and with your makeshift hawk you make good handle in no time. Faster this way. Did couple times just to practice and have spares, and the last one is about 6 years and still good. Teardrop takes few minutes more to make.@@benchase7537