I just ordered the CRKT Berserker. It seemed like a happy medium between a traditional hawk and axe. The biggest selling point for me was the fact that with very little modification, a hardware store sledgehammer handle works with the head. So you can go from a pack tool to a full length axe in a matter of seconds. This one looks pretty good too. It's getting harder to find a hawk with the hammer that isn't $60+
This one will use the same handles as the Berserker, so the sledgehammer handle trick works for the Woods Chogan too. One of my issues with the Berserker is that there really isn't a hammer face, at least not a usable one. The Woods Chogan is probably the best of the CRKT tomahawk style axes as far as versatility: the Hammer Chogan is lighter weight and not as good as chopping (and the handle kinda sucks), and the Berserker is more of an axe, and less of a multi-purpose tool.
@@Factor85Labs the Berserker has a hammer face. It's foolishly angled sure, but with a little time it can be flattened pretty easily. Besides, out in the woods I'm rarely in need of a hammer for anything more than pounding on wood and even another piece of wood eventually gets the job done. It's cool that the handles are the same but with the Chogan I'm not sure there's much benefit to using a longer handle with a head that size.
Great video. I like tomahawks b/c they have multiple uses, and they are lighter than an axe. You can remove the head for fine tasks and the handle is easily replaced in the field. And with practice you can throw it.
Great Video and Info. I own this one as well. You covered a lot on this THawk Chogan that could help someone decide if they want one. I took the clear coat off the handle and used Linseed oil on it. I also made it a leather collar to protect the wood while chopping. It doesn't look as cool as yours, but it has never failed me in the Florida Everglades. Great review.
I can see a use for the false edge as a striker in a pinch, might be handy for those who use a ferro rod or something rather than a good piece of flint; but then the back edge of the hawk could be used for that too. I personally would take a file to that sharp point and round it off a bit if I was getting cut on it. Won't hurt the function of the cutting edge, and just needs dulled down, so won't even be noticeable.
I debated buying one for a long time, but $50 was a little too high considering the "hit or miss" quality control. Then I found one on clearance last year for $34 and I finally had to get it. It is literally as dull as a butter knife, but other than that, it just needed a little light sanding of minor burrs on the handle and inside the head. I like how they ship the head and handle in 2 pieces now so that you can fine tune the fit before assembly. For me, It's just eye candy/ wall hanger / functional skull cracker💀
This is my most commonly used bushcraft chopping tool. I rarely go out with a camp hatchet. Besides, like you said. Looks way cooler. I do wish they had a round hammerhead on the back, if they did it would pretty much be the best tomahawk on the market for the price. What did you use for the wrap? Sinew?
The wrap is a mix of waxed flat thread for sewing leather, and the inside threads from 550 cord. It looks cool, but it is starting to fray. If I were to do it again, I would probably use something like bank line or cord that would be easier to remove so I could take the head on/off if needed.
Definitely need to spend a little time sharpening. I highly recommend those "safety shoes," the Merrell Hydro Mocs. Very comfortable, unfortunately not axe-proof though. 😄
Nice Video 👍 Tomahawk means Axe only in a other language, it doesn't mean a special type of axe eather. Ther is a video about it on yt. A Tomahawk "axe" is a Multitool and it was frome the beginning made for multiple different tasks, why people don't understand that, ther are also much smaller axes and they are also not the best for splitting trees but if you have enough time you will go true any tree even with a small pen knife. 🙂 I wish I could have a nice axe lije this in the video or maybe similar lighter fir smaller things than tree cutting, I'm disabled and any to much weight hurts a lot after time. Have a nice Day 🖖
As you said, its not going to replace an axe. So it might be better to get the spiked version?! All axes can be used as hammers. The spiked version on the other hand can be used I guess as a digging tool?! Did you try to use it as a throwing axe?! Is it lightweight?! Can be used as a self defence weapon lets say?! Even if this is the only axe you have still spiked version seems better to me, because you will have something unique on the table. You could carve a wooden mallet out in the woods to use it for hammering...
I wrapped it with waxed sinew (artificial sinew, unfortunately) and then wrapped over that with the white cord (just pulled the inside strings out of some 550 cord) to make the crossing pattern. A little touch of super glue where the cords crossed to keep them in place. It looked great, but the artificial sinew started to fray and turn into a fuzzy mess, so I have since taken all the wrapping off and gone back to a plain, clean handle.
I have thrown it a few times, and it works pretty well. I don't have a good place to throw right now, or I would have show that. I'm not sure what that false edge on the bottom edge was intended to be used for. I have seen folks use a tomahawk head like a ulu knife, and have heard stories about folks using a tomahawk for skinning and processing game, so maybe it could be used for that. I will be trying some different things out, and I'll make a video later of any other uses I find for tomahawks.
