Cold Steel 90TH Trail Hawk American Hickory Handle, One Size (Package May Vary)

*UPDATE* I’ve throw a lot more than the past me, and this is still a great hawk. I’m still on my first handle, although the key to not breaking handles is not missing. I’ve got other throwing axes to judge against now, and this is still a solid thrower. Just not super pretty*ORGINAL REVIEW*I bought the Cold Steel Norse Hawk as well as the Cold Steel Trail Hawk at the same time. Both of these were my first tomahawks ever, and I don't have that much tomahawk experience, or any experience with other brands of tomahawks to compare to. With that said, here is what I think:First Impression: This hawk looks okay, quality wise, but the edge was VERY DULL. The blade bounced off the stump on my first throw. I had to file it, but it did sharpen to a good edge (good enough for tomahawking).Biggest Flaw: This hawk (maybe all Cold Steel hawks) uses a set screw to tighten the axe head to the handle. Once you throw this hawk, depending on how it lands, that screw will scar up the handle as the axe head comes off. I would appreciate a friction fit much better. These are my first tomahawks, so I'm not sure how many other hawks are like this. The screw really gouges the handle though.How do they work: I am a novice at tomahawking, but I can sink this hawk into my stump target from three spins away, which I'd say is about 25 foot. It feels really natural to throw, and I pretty much started sinking this thing into the wood straight away. The handle feels a little long (I don't know for sure, because I have no experience to reference), but I've just been choking up when I throw, and that works great. I've probably thrown about 100 times, and I've only missed on a handful, mostly from the "three spin" distance. I'm not sure how good I am at throwing tomahawks, but I can say that these definitely work, anyone who knows how to tomahawk should be able to use these no problem, and if you can't make it work, then it's probably you, not the hawk.I think these would be good for any beginner. They're priced low, and they work. They would work better if you custom fitted the handle and didn't use the set screw, and sharpening the axe is probably a must. I'm going to get a nicer version when I get better, but these seem great to learn on.

The Trail Hawk arrived packaged well. Upon inspection I realized the head had been put on backwards. The eye of the head is actually egg shaped, not oval. The handle is egg shaped as well. I removed and ditched the set screw and swapped the head around. I have done some preliminary sanding of the handle and the head fits more snugly and no longer requires a set screw. The hickory handle seems nice and solid. It measures a full 22". The head is 7" from poll to bevel. I will update this review and add photos as I customize and use the hawk for various duties. This is going to be a fun project! I am completely pleased with this product and will be ordering more versions. Aside from the inept assembly this is an outstanding product. Order one!Update, six months after receiving: I have used my Trail Hawk countless times. I have processed wood, pounded tent stakes into hard earth, done some rough carving and even tested it with processing game. It has performed nicely. I still carry my Forest Axe on longer excursions, but the tomahawk has replaced it and a few other tools in my pack for lightweight or minimalist ventures. I have sanded and re-contoured the handle, as well as filed the eye of the head for a nearly perfect fit. I stripped the paint off of the head and at first tried to force a patina with mustard. It didn't take hardly at all. Right before applying a black oxide finish (rust-bluing), I polished the entire head. I as well slightly re-profiled the poll. With the application of mustard to the smooth, almost mirror finish steel the patina took beautifully. After several coats and a few hours I took the head back to the bench and re-polished the poll and the bevel and ran it over the water stones until it was shaving sharp. The handle got a nice coat of dark walnut stain and some Algonquin designs with a wood burner tip. I now have a beautiful tomahawk that if sold in this condition would be priced above a hundred dollars. It out performed my expectations and I regard it as an essential item when heading outdoors, even for a day-hike. You simply cannot go wrong with this product, especially at this price point!