Today, people continue to use these versatile tools, but not necessarily for the same reasons.
There are tomahawk throwers who enjoy practicing this activity as a hobby sport by going out into open spaces and aiming at a target.
Tomahawks are also used by outdoor enthusiasts during camping or hiking trips.
They make a great chopping, cutting, or splitting tool. Let’s take a look at some of the best tactical tomahawks on the market.
Here’s Our Top Pick
Gerber Gear Downrange Tactical Tomahawk
- BREACHING TOOL: Features a pry bar, G10 handles, and multi-purpose axe...
- SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: USA Made from 420HC steel with a...
- PRACTICAL DESIGN: Included low profile MOLLE-compatible sheath...
Why is it better?
- The Gerber Downrange is extremely light making it easy to carry around everywhere.
- Gerber offers a generous lifetime warranty with this purchase.
- Great video quality
4 Best Tactical Tomahawks
With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.
Let’s dive into the specifics and review each tomahawk individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.
Best Overall: Gerber Gear Downrange Tactical Tomahawk
- BREACHING TOOL: Features a pry bar, G10 handles, and multi-purpose axe...
- SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: USA Made from 420HC steel with a...
- PRACTICAL DESIGN: Included low profile MOLLE-compatible sheath...
This is a top seller in the market of tactical tomahawks.
The Gerber Downrange is designed for a tactical breaching tool. It features a 3-tiered approach to tactical breaching.
Beginning with the hand ax, it has a large head made from 420 HC stainless steel.
It’s also composed with a hammerhead and pry bar. Finally, it has a strong steel body with a Cerakote finish that will not bend or break.
The Gerber Downrange Tomahawk gets the job done effectively on the first try. It goes through drywall, wood, and even glass with ease. Backed up with a lifetime warranty from Gerber, you can’t go wrong with this selection.
Pros
- The Gerber Downrange is extremely light making it easy to carry around everywhere.
- Gerber offers a generous lifetime warranty with this purchase.
Cons
- This tomahawk is relatively expensive in comparison with other models.
- Some customers could agree the sheath is flimsy and could use some improvements.
SOG Tactical Tomahawk
- Product 1: SOG AXE WITH BITE: At 15.75 inches, these hatchets and...
- Product 1: 24 OUNCE AXE: Light yet heavy-duty, hatchet is a superb...
- Product 1: EMERGENCY AXE WITH SOG TOMAHAWK SHEATH: This...
Smaller and lighter than the original SOG Voodoo Hawk, the mini still features some of the same components as a spike for piercing applications, extended cutting head, compact glass-reinforced nylon handle, and metal pommel cap.
It’s a great selection for outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, hunters, or backpackers.
The Voodoo Hawk Mini is extremely sturdy and remains strong even after taking a beating.
It comes with a Nylon carry sheath with belt loop. Weighing 23.1 oz, you’ll be impressed with the power of this little guy. A must have, you won’t be disappointed with this selection.
Pros
- The Voodoo Mini is very affordable.
- Its compact size is an ideal choice for outdoor travelers.
- Despite its small size, it has a large cutting edge and is a heavy-duty throwing hawk.
Cons
- The sheath keeps the hawk secured. However, it can be a bit tough to get the hawk out of it quickly as it requires two hands to open sheath and pull hawk out.
SOG Specialty Knives F01TN-CP
- SOG AXE WITH BITE: At 15.75 inches, these hatchets and hawks are built...
- 24 OUNCE AXE: Light yet heavy-duty, hatchet is a superb survival axe...
- EMERGENCY AXE WITH SOG TOMAHAWK SHEATH: This woodsmen-meets-urban...
The SOG F01TN-CP is a versatile tool for breaching operations as well as obstacle removal, excavation, extraction, among other utility applications.
The nylon handle is glass-reinforced with a sturdy 2.75-inches stainless steel head.
This tactical tomahawk is an upgraded version of the Vietnam Tomahawk.
Pros
- Designed with a strong ballistic polymer handle.
- The nylon carry sheath keeps hawk secure.
- Generous lifetime warranty.
Cons
- The handle is a bit small in diameter making it difficult to achieve a firm grip.
United Cutlery UC2836 M48
- COMBAT FIELD AXE - This hawk is securely attached to the handle with...
- LIGHTWEIGHT TACTICAL TOOL - Three weight reducing holes in the axe...
- RAZOR SHARP - A 3-⅞” precision cast 2cr13 stainless steel blade is...
The M48 Ranger Hawk Ax is lightweight with increased portability. The blade of this tactical tool is wide, making it a great selection for slashing, chopping and cutting.
The ax head is designed from quality stainless steel and when combined with the rest of the features of this hawk, it offers superior personal defense attributes.
The M48 Ranger Hawk is a great selection for campers who need a breaching tool with a fast chopping edge. You can carry this hawk all day without muscle ache or fatigue.
A multi-functional selection, buyers will also receive a nylon snap button sheath as well as a directional compass with the purchase of this hawk ax.
Pros
- Great tool for self-defense, outdoor recreation use, and breaching use.
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not the best selection for tomahawk throwers, especially if used on a regular basis for it can become damaged over time.
Table of Contents
The Differences Between A Tomahawk, Ax, And Hatchet
Often compared to axes or hatchets, there are some key differences between these three tools. To start with, an ax is great for chopping, shaving, or splitting.
Tomahawks can complete this task too, but axes are more effective due to their heavier weight.
The hatchet is a smaller version of the ax and is used to making chopping easier when an ax requires even more weight. They are a good solution to cutting materials such as wood.
The main difference between axes/hatchets and tomahawks is the weight.
While tomahawks are lighter, they also offer multi-functional features, greater portability, and added reach that axes and hatchets do not have. Additionally, they are much lighter and designed for more combat-related uses.
The straight handle it’s made up of is great for releasing while throwing, and it also does a nice job at bush craft operations.
While it can handle chopping, it is not designed for such chores and is better off taken into the wilderness.
When And Why Would You Use A Tomahawk?
You may think of a tomahawk as a tool used by Native Americans during warfare, but how about today?
When and why are they used now?
You may be surprised but a tactical tomahawk continues to be sought by many. Like mentioned earlier, law enforcement and rescue professionals use them as well as hawk throwers.
It’s also highly popular for recreational use and thrown around for fun as a sport. There are competitions based around throwing tomahawks, and many individuals even pick it up as a hobby.
If you are one of these throwers, don’t forget to always use protective equipment like gloves and eye protection!
The Benefits & Features Of A Good Tomahawk
A good tactical tomahawk will be made up of quality material that is lightweight, strong, and reliable. Higher-end versions are used by law enforcement officials, military, or rescue forces.
A tactical design will have a blade edge and spike edge. More expensive ones usually have blades made from higher quality steel.
Many people don’t understand the importance of investing in a quality tomahawk. They are very effective in a survival situation and provide more reach than a knife and are also used in hunting environments.
These tools are multi-functional and used by rescue personnel, law enforcement, and military.
As you can see, depending on your intended use, there is a weapon type and quality that will best suit your interests. Before you buy the first tomahawk that catches your attention, it’s important to know what factors a quality one consists of.
If you’re looking for a military grade tomahawk or one for leisure use, take these elements into consideration to ensure you’re investing in a quality one.
The quality of steel used for the blade needs to be taken into consideration. While you want something durable, keep in mind that the higher the quality of the steel, the more expensive the tomahawk will be.
Even on low budgets, you can obtain a quality option. The handle of this weapon should have design features incorporated into it to make gripping easier. This will prevent it from slipping out of the hand and make it easier to throw and maneuver.
Pay extra attention to handle framework when looking for the right one. Another important feature to look out for is a sturdy, reliable sheath. Many buyers are unhappy with sheaths that are flimsy or don’t provide superior support.
For users who need quick access to their tomahawk, a sheath that has give’s quick and easy accessibility to the hawk is essential.
Weight is also important, especially depending on the user as well as the purpose. While all tomahawks are built to be lightweight, especially in comparison to hatchets and axes, they still vary in weight themselves.
Be sure to get a feel for what weight will work best for you and your purposes before purchasing one.
We hope this buyers guide has helped narrow down the selection process for you and led you to a hawk your content with. Whether you need a use for leisure or professional use, these are quality options you’ll love.
Final Word
Tactical tomahawks continue to be popular among several markets. While some users enjoy using them for recreational use and throwing them at targets others use them as personal defense weapons.
Additionally, because of their light weight and portability they are commonly used among military, rescue, and law enforcement personnel. Whatever your intended use, there is a tomahawk out there right for you.
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