Ok, so hawks are super badass and make you look scary as f@#k. Big fan of the RMJ designs although if the boss isn’t buying, they’re a bit steep in the price department. CRKT has some more budget friendly offerings.
I gotta ask though, how useful are they really? Not my first choice for breaching a door and if I’m hatchetting someone to death in a modern conflict, things are really not going to plan (Rogers’ Rules notwithstanding).
They’re not generally ideal for bushcraft from what I can gather. More traditional axe patterns being more suited to chopping/splitting.
We have one that we use for dismantling outdoor grow ops, but I have a strong feeling that’s as much for the cool factor as it is for its being the best tool for the job. I’m ok with that though.
All that said Idaho, I’d be interested in your thoughts on the overall tactical utility of hawks. How often have you really used one because it was the best tool and what for?
I can understand the rationale behind a compact “crash axe” for extricating yourself or someone else from a wreck if the jaws weren’t available, but most modern hawks are too light for this purpose.
I guess they’re relatively easy to carry and have some light breaching capabilities and they’re way sexier than the old sledgehammer…
I have never seen one before, so, I have no experience with that design, however, I dont like any blade that has “cutout section” in the center. IMO, it weakens the strength of the blade and they never do as advertised (wire cutter, rope cutter, fire starter, Sasquatch toe nail clipper, whatever)
I wrote this in my earlier post and I think it applies here:
“Realize that developing even a simple tactical plan will be met with skepticism and any attempt to make them understand will probably be futile. Do the best you can, but, have your own plan for survival, do not let well-meaning individuals comprise your strategy”
I have never used one in CQB or a SWAT tactical situation. I have two and carry one in my active shooter kit in the states, because I will not have access to entry equipment off duty, they may come in handy in smashing through either a plate glass window or a car windshield. The other I use for throwing because it is just fun and a unique skill. During my Kali/ Silat phase, we did use one for some cutting moves, but, nothing that placed it over my K-Bar for fighting. You would think the reach and distance involved using a hawk would be an advantage, but, this was not always the case.
One thing they are excellent for is cutting heavy rope. because of the force you can bring, if I was in some type of maritime unit boarding ships I would carry one. But, overhaul, they dont beat a good sledge hammer to bust things up.
I have been a fan of Tomahawks since I was a kid, and have had my eyes on RMJ tactical for some time. But I haven’t reached the point where I can justify the expense to myself.
For hunting and woodcraft a hatchet would serve better. For work a small hawk would be great as a breaching tool of last resort for if I lost the irons. Unfortunately, with all of my turnout gear and all of the straps on my SCBA I haven’t figured out a secure way to carry it that wouldn’t get it entangled in other gear.
This guy from Dewitt VA sells his own hand forged hawks on eBay under the name primitiveforge. He makes a variety of styles, and for a hand made piece his prices aren’t bad at all.
@idaho -
Your preferred non-ballistic weapon for CQB is a KBAR?
Also curious where your preferred personal source of tactical gear is?
I use botach & tacticalgear dot com but always on the lookout for better deals. Am especially looking for rappelling harnesses & Rope. Good ass exercise ya know?!
I dont carry any non-ballistic weapons anymore. When I worked the street I carried an ASP baton and non-lethal .12 gauge rounds. In my current work, I really have no need and the K-Bar is just a tool and last ditch weapon, After getting hung up in a helio harness during a rough landing and someone else had to cut me out, I have always carried a fixed blade where i can get to it. Folders are fine, but, hell to get to wearing a lot of gear.
Most of my gear is USG issued but, I do buy my own plate carriers ,mags , knives,and small personal gear. I have used the following companies: Blue Force Gear, Tactical Distributors, Tangodown, Vickers Tactical, Midway USA, Cheaper Than Dirt, Buds Gun shop, Ammunition Depot, Soldier Systems Daily has multiple companies advertising.
OUTSIDE Magazine has a lot of companies advertizing climbing gear. Cabelas and Gander Mountain used to carry climbing gear, dont know if they still do.
“TO BE A WARRIOR IS NOT A SIMPLE MATTER OF WISHING TO BE ONE. IT IS RATHER AN ENDLESS STRUGGLE THAT WILL GO ON TO THE VERY LAST MOMENT OF OUR LIVES. NOBODY IS BORN A WARRIOR, IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THAT NOBODY IS BORN AN AVERAGE MAN. WE MAKE OURSELVES INTO ONE OR THE OTHER.”
Thanks for or the feedback Idaho. I ran through a week with the new plan and have settled in on the following:
MWF - Rotating upper/lower split - initially tried to balance push/pull and some conditioning piece per workout but this seems simpler and the recovery is appropriate for me. Staying bodyweight (pull-ups, push-ups, dips, squats, lunges, bridges) and doing sandbag carries on lower body as I’m carrying different bags (45 lb, 70 lb, 95 lb) up flight of stairs as part of workout.
TT - Firearms drills and then 5 three minute rounds of shadowboxing followed by 10 minutes of various bag work.
Sat - Range time. I tried the Blaze X on Saturday. Great drill. I am horrible weak hand so really good to note this. Going to incorporate this in every range visit.
Thanks again for thread and sharing your wisdom. Love how it’s applicable for professionals like tourself and those of us just trying to be prepared for what may come. Regarding the brewery, I may have to check it out. I live in WNC, so not that far of a stretch.
About the only ballistic cover I have is either in a MRAP, armored vehicle, or what I am wearing. I havent used a shield since SWAT. Since we never hang around, a shield is just extra weight and I am not currently involved in hostage situations or armed insurgent take overs. I dont wear a lot of bulky armor, since, I place a high value on running like hell if need to. That may come back on bite me on the ass, especially on IED’S, but, everything is a compromise in life.
I am a big believer in knee and elbow pads, which has saved many a bruise, especially de-assing a vehicle, flying or otherwise. I always, always, wear ballistic protection safety glasses, my current brand is Wiley-X. which can be worn in the states without attracting any attention.
I am posting some generic pictures, which is close to what I use. I have used ballistic protection system in the past.
“Bring the mind into sharp focus and make it alert so that it can immediately intuit truth, which is everywhere. The mind must be emancipated from old habits, prejudices, restrictive thought processes and even ordinary thought itself.” Bruce Lee
Wow you have worked SWAT as well! Do you mind giving a run down of what combat jobs you have had over the years? I understand if you don’t want to answer details or even not at all.
Do you think this is achieved through consciously staying alert and open minded or is something that can be subconsciously ‘turned on’ through training?
I like how you put such a high priority on the psychological state and training of one’s self. It’s all well and good to go to a shooting range twice a week, practice krav maga, lift heavy weights and run consistently but if you arnt psychologically ready for what may happen, it is all for nothing.
Do you have any drills or training for someone like me who will one day find himself in potentially life threatening environments having to make decisions?
Just remind you what I wrote in an earlier post: _Guys like me are a dime a dozen. Anything I have learned has came from my own experiences or quality instruction. Not to sound like a spook, but, to maintain a TS clearance, I have to be vague about everything and social media accounts are not allowed. Several years ago, I actually had to have this T-Nation account approved. LOL, funny when you think how many times the USG has been hacked. Every Russian and Chinese hacker probably knows what size boots I wear:))
Anyway, in the military at 17 years old, then civilian police (patrol, narcotics, fugutive, SWAT) then DOS / Diplomatic Security, doing PSD work in Baghdad, usually on “Route Irish” to Victory or the airport, time spent in Baghdad, Mosul, Diyala, and Basra, then over to another military unit and finally ending up with another government agency as a federal agent. Currently assigned to Kabul after spending two years in Kandahar.
IMHO, those decisions are made based on experience. Getting shot at will make you realize more things in 10 seconds than you will ever learn in drills. Someone trying kill you will age you years in minutes. That is why I always stress a strong mind and body, so, hopefully, when that critical moment comes, the stress will not eat you alive and you will be able to survive your encounter.
The cut outs in this thing are a Fire Hydrant wrench and gas shut off. I’m not a big fan of the tools that try to do everything. Especially for a cutting or chopping tool, I like balance.
This is probably one of my most read logs as of late, just wanted to let you know that.
On a side note, what are your thoughts on PT tests and such for the military and I know for a fact that you’ve already answered this on some other threads but how would you train for them? Assuming that you have more than a reasonable amount of time. Oh and mini question, how do you deal with running so damn much? At least I’m assuming that’s what you’ll have to do to get a good run time.
Here are some of the answers I’ve bookmarked from you over the past couple of… years?
Do you have any advice on how one should eat if one plans to embark on such a life(style)? Don’t ever recall you giving dietary advice of any sorts.
attention.
