Arne
Munich, GER

Feb 25, 2020

Pros: Construction, Handle Material

Cons: None

Best tool ever

Of course every review is subjective and taste is as powerful as personal beliefs in judging a bushcraft tool. But it's time to make a couple of things objectively clear in the context of this particular item. Most importantly it must be said that the Spyderco HatchetHawk is a voluntarily designed hybrid and meant to be an alround bushcraft tool. This implicates that for most things it can do, you will find a tool performing better in that particular task. But it also means that the application spectrum is much broader compared to each of these "specialists". Let's have a look at the details: Weight & size: almost perfectly weighted and sized it fills the gap between a GB Wildlife hatchet and a GB small forest axe. Big enough to deliver serious power but small enough to stay portable. 5* Head material & shape: The head is a masterpiece. 5160 is a perfect choice and the shape has unique advantages compared to standard axes/hatchets. The blade curve allows for deep draw cuts while chopping and easy cutting tasks if used as a knife (game dressing, food prep, etc). In splitting it outperforms all my 3 GB hatchets and the beveled but unsharpened lower edge is a perfect scraper for fatwood, fire steels etc. The hammer does a brilliant job, really powerful. But the very best is the headshape around the handle. You can grip the hatchet so comfortably under the head I would say it fits like a glove and this is no accident. You can scrap, peel, cut and slice in a very effective and controlled way. Impressive and far better than any other axe or hatchet. 5* Handle material & shape: Here' the only flaw with this tool. The aluminum core of the handle transmits some shock to the elbow, not a big deal if you don't fell trees with its but still...The shape at its turn is brilliant, the cross section allows for quick, reliable alignment of blade and arm and the curves are those of a carving axe (hybrid again...), allowing for great carving, hammering, splitting and cutting! The outer polymer shell is not slippery at all and has a real big advantage: you don't have to care about laying your hatchet down in wet grass or mud or whatever moist ground. Also high temperatures in the car during summertime are no problem with this material (try wet grass and sun heated cars with wooden handles...not funny). 4* Summary: This is a unique and brilliant design, esthetically appealing and functional at the same time. I own 8 axes/hatchets but this one is clearly the best alround tool among them and if I would have to choose for the famous OTO (one tool option) I would without hesitation rely on the Spyderco HatchetHawk! Since I own it I never leave home without it when heading to the woods. I make basic shelters with it, cut down small trees if needed, split firewood, make fire, prepare food, all with great pleasure because there is nothing more satisfying than a good tool at your side out there.

Erick
Unionville, On

Sep 24, 2023

Pros: Balance, Construction, Handle Material, Head Material

Cons: None

I laughted when I watch Wranglerstar's video

When I was watching Wranglerstar's review, I was laughing so hard when he said this was the worst axe he ever tested due to the shocking. The handle is small but that means you can ADD anything you want to eliminate the hand shocking which includes but not limited to layers of any wrap. I wrapped 2 lays of 2mm silicone on it and secured it with 2 layers of electrical tape. I feel perfect in my hands and could not feel any shock whatsoever to chop through 2 by 4. (I do 1 layer of silicone on almost any of my axe/hatchet handles anyway.) This is a tool/weapon, you better have a brain to do a little bit of modification. Wranglerstar, we all know you like wood handles but the new age is here. polypropylene is just wayyyyy durable than any wood you have. With $10 and 3 mins work I got the best looking and one awesome light hatchete. I did not get this hatchet due to the original price. But I grab one when I see the $220 discounted price tag. Thank you, knifecenter.

Gary
FL

Jun 27, 2019

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Genzow hatchet hawk

The other review nails this piece, but I only saw it a few days ago for the first time and ordered it the next day. I don't know how this slipped by me! Though I doubt I'll use this as freely as say a hammer or throw it like I would a much less expensive cold steel hawk, it is wholly capable and then some. The fit and finish are gorgeous and just like there knives this is razor sharp and the angle of the bevels is such that keeping it sharp shouldn't prove difficult at all. Once you pick it up it becomes almost mesmerizing or it did to me, the combination of the 3 styles flows so perfectly together being part Francisca, part bearded axe, and part traditional tomahawk make this not only very unique but very functional and eye catching. Kudos to Spyderco and the same to KC who have he fastest shipping I've had in a while, the day I'd ordered this I'd already made a separate order and darn if it wasn't but 2 1/2 days that from the time I placed the orders that they both arrived and via different carriers! Thanks very much KC.

Tom Horn
Illinois

Oct 29, 2018

Pros: Construction

Cons: None

Innovative (the Genzow Edge), Impressive (a Bushcraft ‘Hawk).

When I opened the box I thought KnifeCenter had sent me Dirty Harry’s S&W Model 29, .44 Magnum, hand cannon by mistake, instead of a tomahawk. This comes in a beautiful, fancy faux fur lined, black nylon hand gun case with a gold embroidered Spyder logo the size of a tarantula on it. I can hear the guys now, when I show up at cruddy-ole deer camp and un-case this from its fancy fur lined case. “Oooohhh! Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?” “Ya bring that to slice your caviar, there, Jeeves, ole boy?” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> After this arrived in the mail, I sat at my desk and studied this Hatchethawk for awhile. As I sat studying the design, It quickly became apparent that Martinin Genzow, knows bushcrafting/wood crafting tools. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When a tool is called a “tomahawk,” or, “hawk,” seems it is usually better suited for 18th century woodlands warfare, or rescue extraction; than it is bushcraft/wood craft. They don’t chop nearly as well as a hatchet/axe r/t head design. But I noted two unique aspects of this Genzow HatchetHawk: 1.) It has a convex edge, and a concave edge (a hollow grind!). This unique edge makes it kinda a chisel grind; but, not quite. And, 2.) Spyderco must have a lot of confidence in their heat treatment of this 5160 steel, to trust it to this sharp grind on a hard use tool. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I took HatchetHawk out back to the stump, and started working it out on notty oak logs. It was everything I suspected it to be. The Genzow Edge (Concave/convex combo) allows this hatchet to perform like a carving/carpenter’s axe for precise cutting, barking and planing wood. The beard on the hatchet is not for hooking, but for allowing you to choke-up your hand beneath it for controlled planing, or power skinning, like a Ulu. It carved stake points, and notches with fine precision. Noted, that the right stroke of chopping a notch in a horizontal log was more pronounced/easier to control, than the left stroke (left side of vee notch). The hollow grind is on the right side of head. May take some getting used to. Where HatchetHawk shined like a rock star, was as a splitting wedge. I pounded the hammer head with a log and batoned it easily through the oak logs, and it never met one it couldn’t lick. It never got stuck in a log. HatchetHawk was fast and efficient at every task I put it to. I noted no chipping, rolling, or dulling of the edge afterwards. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Handle seems comfortable, sturdy enough, and well attached; but, could use some grip. Athletic tape, handle bar tape, or, stair tread tape would do. I’m going to cut some leather just shy of the diameter, punch holes, lace it with leather lace, soak it in water, and fast dry it, so the leather shrinks up on the handle. Definitely, head heavy balance, but the handle is designed to let you choke-up on it to where you need to be for the task at hand. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nicely made and designed sheath. Sheath can be left on HatchetHawk while using the hammer head, for added safety. Has belt loop and 2 large eyelets for lashing to a backpack, etc. If you were going to use it regularly in a wet/rainy environment, I would make a leather sheath that covers whole hawk head, and water proof it with bees wax treatment, as the 5160 can sprout a rust bloom in a hurry. Don’t store in sheath, as the tannins from the leather can promote rust. Keep well oiled. A ZeeRust capsule in the case would go a long way to protecting your investment while in storage. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Spyderco did not explain the innovative, “Genzow Edge,” its theory, and uses in the description of the product well. I would love to hear the designer expound on his HatchetHawk, but could find no trace of him on the internet, other than his connection to this hawk. There are no instructions included on its use. I have found it difficult to put the concepts/supposed theory of this Genzow Edge into words. The HatchetHawk is not a tool you master in one outing. This Genzow Edge will take a while to learn its idiosyncrasies/proper use. But, I believe once you do, you will have a unique, high multi-functioning, precision bushcraft/wood craft tool that will serve you well for your lifetime. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It dices, it slices, it juices ... At 2 lb., 7 oz. w/sheath and case, maybe not the tool for solo backpacking. But, considering its multi functions: precision carving axe, wood plane, skinning Ulu, hammer, superb splitting wedge, draw knife (w/rod thru Spyder hole), butchering clever, tactical tomahawk, and more, it’s hard to leave it behind. HatchetHawk is now on my, “must bring,” list for camping, deer camp, backyard bonfires, group backpacking, canoeing, and hunting. It’s a joy to use, too. Genzow HatchetHawk is a truly impressive bushcrafting tool. It comes with prestige, respect, and admiration. I could see the neighbors’ eyes, glowing green with Spyder envy, while I was working HatchetHawk out by the fire pit.

Josh
Southern CT

Feb 22, 2020

Pros: Handle Material, Balance

Cons: None

Sorry, but no.

I’m not sure what the purpose design was for this axe, but my guess is tacticool weapon. It is not a functional tool for woodscraft or camp chores, outside of driving tent stakes or being a conversation piece. My brother picked one up and brought it along on our weeklong camping trip last fall. I got the chance to get to know this thing a bit that week. I will say this, the materials used to make it are top notch. It is pretty sharp out of the box and comes presented like a gift from a king. That where the praise ends. The oddly shaped head makes it almost useless as a kindling axe, or for clearing saplings in camp. No cheeks, and an odd angle to the blade face make landing solid hits on log ends and splitting them tricky. It furthermore doesn’t have the weight to do the job well. The unusual shape and thickness of the handle doesn’t lend much to working with it either. The handle material is inappropriate for an impact tool, as it doesn’t absorb vibrations and transmits them up your arm. The swooping shape shape of the shaft makes it fairly well inaccurate, which can be rather dangerous. Also, it’s a bit thin for men who would wear a large size glove. The hammer functions as a hammer should, but so does a rock in a pinch. I laughed it off as some kind of a wall hanger item and used my son’s $20 camp hatchet the rest of the week to great effect. I only wrote this review here after finding out it cost nearly $200, which for what it is, is in fact outrageously expensive. There are far better, functional, hand forged axe tools from numerous other companies that outperform this at that price.