A Review & Comparison of The Top Tactical Tomahawks On The Market in 2023

by John Wren

As a member of the axe family, the best tactical tomahawk can be a vital addition to any survivalist’s kit. It’s also a versatile tool for anyone heading into the wilderness, or even simply with a variety of home maintenance tasks to hand that requires a reliable approach.

A Tactical Tomahawk is a modern version of the traditional axe, designed to provide a versatile tool for many outdoor tasks. It is typically made of durable, high-grade steel and features a straight, lightweight shaft with a sharpened, curved blade on one end.

The Tactical Tomahawk is an excellent choice for outdoorsmen and survivalists who require a reliable and convenient tool for a wide range of activities. The Tomahawk is ideal for cutting branches and wood for firewood, for digging trenches or holes, for self-defense and rescue, and for a variety of other tasks. It is also a great choice for hikers and campers who want to travel light but still want to be prepared for any situation. The Tomahawk’s lightweight and durable design allows for easy transport and use.

In summary, the Tactical Tomahawk is an incredibly versatile and useful tool for outdoorsmen, hikers, campers, and survivalists alike, providing the perfect combination of convenience, portability, and reliability.

Why Choose a Tactical Tomahawk?

The long lists of tasks you can accomplish with a good tomahawk is second only to the small size, convenient carry shape and light weight of these versatile tools. There’s a reason they’ve become a cinematic trope for survival situations. For anyone who wants to be prepared, it’s one of the most useful tools and weapons you can have in hand.

From chopping wood, hunting and opening containers to breaking your way out of buildings, defending yourself, and breaking glass, the lists of practical tasks a tomahawk will help you with is almost unending. Aided in part by the light and portable design, this makes them a must for any survival bag or well-stocked toolbox.

Tactical tomahawks seek to combine the versatility of use, they will often feature spike or knife backs and pry-bar handles to allow for maximum options in a minimum package- with lightweight construction.

Lightweight, however, doesn’t mean weak. The construction of a good tomahawk will be perfectly balanced to make it a strong, durable tool in your hands while maintaining a weight that doesn’t kill your muscles as you carry it.

Most will ship with their own carry bag, and many can be carried by lanyard as well as in the hand.

It’s important to be sure that the design you choose meets the tasks you most expect to need well. It should offer a blade large enough for the chopping work you anticipate doing, with a firm strong handle from which the head cannot realistically separate easily. The handle needs to be tough and durable without adding excessive weight to the design.

Cutaways that are properly placed will help lighten the load without destroying the strength of the axe head. A good, grippy handle is a must, and some form of anti-corrosion on the steel is always useful although not essential.

Rust can be polished away, and if you care for your tools right it shouldn’t even occur, but it would be simpler for you if the care and upkeep of the tactical tomahawk were a little easier. Above all, it should have a handle design and axe head balance you feel comfortable wielding.

1. SOG Tactical Tomahawk

SOG Tactical Tomahawk- Throwing Hatchet, Versatile Survival Tactical Axe and Emergency Breaching Tool with Sheath (F01TN-CP)
  • SOG AXE WITH BITE: At 15.75 inches, these hatchets and hawks are built to swing fast and true; these hawk axes feature a razor-sharp 420 stainless steel hatchet blade
  • 24 OUNCE AXE: Light yet heavy-duty, hatchet is a superb survival axe and fire rescue tool; hawk boasts a sleek black blade finish for added durability
  • EMERGENCY AXE WITH SOG TOMAHAWK SHEATH: This woodsmen-meets-urban tactical tomahawk snaps securely in its ballistic nylon sheath; includes belt loop for 1.5-inch belts
  • HAMMER AXE EDGE AND PIERCING SPIKE: FastHawk tactical survival axe features a flat edge for hammering and a spike for chipping; an emergency kit tool first, but versatile to handle small wood chopping...
  • SOG FOR LIFE: Take care of your SOG tomahawk throwing axe and we’ll take care of you; we gladly consider repairs and replacements for your properly maintained SOG FastHawk hatchet

If you’re looking for a versatile and reasonably light choice for all your obstacle removal, extraction, breaching and excavation needs, the SOG tactical tomahawk may well be the right tool for you.

The tough ballistic polymer of the handle offers a 2.75-inch axe head of stainless steel, and the overall design is reminiscent of a successor to the Vietnam Tomahawk. This particular unit has a lifetime warranty, too.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 18” x 11.5”
  • Weight: 1.8 pounds
  • Material: Stainless steel, glass reinforced nylon

2. USMC Tactical Bruiser Survival Tomahawk

Officially licensed, this military style tomahawk makes a perfect companion to your less violent daily exercises too. It incorporates a fishing kit and end-cap compass too, and ships with a lanyard and nylon sheath.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 15” length x 0.7” thickness
  • Weight: 3 pounds
  • Material: Reinforced Nylon and stainless steel.

3. United Cutlery Hawk

M48 Tactical Tomahawk Military Axe - Black Color | 3 ⅞” Cast Stainless Steel Combat Axe with Piercing Spike | Nylon Cord Wrapped Fiberglass Handle | Camping and Tactical Gear | 15” Length
  • COMBAT FIELD AXE - This hawk is securely attached to the handle with three bolts and is great to handle with the no-slip ridged grip featuring a lanyard hole
  • LIGHTWEIGHT TACTICAL TOOL - Three weight reducing holes in the axe head along with the 30% fiberglass handle keep this piece of equipment light and easy to use
  • RAZOR SHARP - A 3-⅞” precision cast 2cr13 stainless steel blade is highlighted by an upswept blade and needle-sharp piercing spike on the back end
  • SAFE TO CARRY - The durable nylon sheath comes with a snap-on cover to protect the ax head while moving through the fields or forest

Lightweight with an upwards sweeping blade ideal for chopping, slashing and cutting, this fierce little tomahawk is a great companion for all your needs.

The back of the blade is also sharpened for chopping and hooking. This spike and axe head combination makes it a great personal defense tool as well as ideal for breaching walls etc. The blade is secured with three bolts, and the shaft nighs on indestructible.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 15” x 8”
  • Weight: 2.1 pounds
  • Material: Anodised stainless steel, fiberglass reinforced nylon.

4. Kershaw Siege Tomahawk Knife

Kershaw 1073X Siege Tomahawk Knife
  • Multifunction-Has multiple blades or tools
  • Black-oxide coating-Handle: Riveted glass-filled nylon scales
  • Blade length: 4.0 Inch (10.2 cm)-Overall length: 16 Inch (40.6 cm)-Color: Black-Brand: Kershaw
  • Multifunction-Has multiple blades or tools, enabling it to perform multiple functions
  • Fixed Blade-The knife does not fold closed; usually stored in a sheath or blade protector

Another knife/axe blade combo, the knife on the Kershaw siege tomahawk does not fold flat, and it’s important to remember this will affect its storage capabilities. The handle can also be used as a pry bar, with the head fully riveted on.

If you need a handy and relatively light multi-tool, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 16” x 4”
  • Weight: 2.7 pounds
  • Material: Riveted glass/nylon scales, steel

5. SOG Fasthawk

SOG FastHawk- Lighter, Faster, Agile Throwing Hatchet, Versatile Survival Tactical Axe for Competition Throwing and Camping, Hunting and Packing-Black (F06TN-CP)
  • SOG HAWKS WITH BITE: At 12.5 inches, these hatchets and hawks are built to swing fast and true; these axes feature a razor-sharp 420 stainless steel hatchet blade
  • 19 OUNCE TACTICAL HAWK: Lightweight yet heavy-duty, FastHawk hatchets are superb backpacking, hiking and survival axes to add to your axes set; hawk boasts a sleek black blade finish for added...
  • HAWK HATCHET WITH SHEATH: Light, fast, and agile tactical hawk snaps securely in its ballistic nylon sheath; competition axe includes belt loop for 1.5-inch belts
  • HAMMER AXE EDGE AND PIERCING SPIKE: FastHawk tactical survival axe features a flat edge for hammering and a spike; versatile to handle small wood chopping tasks.
  • SOG FOR LIFE: Take care of your SOG hawk axe and we’ll take care of you; we gladly consider repairs and replacements for your properly maintained SOG FastHawk hawk hatchet

Made to act as a lighter option then the SOG Tactical Tomahawk, this versatile 2” blade provides all the same functions as its bigger cousin. It’s corrosion resistant and tough for almost any function. The handle has a built-in slip-resistant grip for safety. Combined with a unique, futuristic style, it’s a firm winner.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 12.5” x 6.5”
  • Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Material: Steel, ballistic polymer

6. Gerber Downrange Tomahawk

Gerber Gear Downrange Tactical Tomahawk - Multi-Tool Hammer Head Survival Axe with Steel Prybar - Tactical Gear with Included MOLLE Sheath
  • BREACHING TOOL: Features a pry bar, G10 handles, and multi-purpose axe head with beveled edge, hammer head, and integrated prying handle for ultimate control
  • SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: USA Made from 420HC steel with a corrosion-resistant Cerakote finish, this tool will stand the test of time; Won't bend or break under pressure
  • PRACTICAL DESIGN: Included low profile MOLLE-compatible sheath protects the axe blade when not in use and readily attaches to your pack, standard webbing, or body armor
  • TACTICAL GEAR: Great for any hunter, soldier, or tradesman and the perfect addition to your survival kit; Break through any barrier
  • SIZE: 19.27" overall length, 36 oz weight with sheath, 30.4 oz without sheath; Backed by the Gerber Guarantee, a limited lifetime warranty

Another three in one tool, the handle can be used as a pry-bar and the spike back for a host of other purposes as well as the strong axe blade. Strategically place hollow-outs in the blade allow for excellent leverage when breaching. Gun cote ensures that the axe never slips in your hands.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 22” x 19”
  • Weight: 1.9 pounds
  • Material: Steel

7. Schrade Full Tang Tactical Tomahawk

Schrade SCAXE5 12.8in Full Tang Tactical Hatchet with 3.1in High Carbon Steel Blade and Nylon Fiber Handle for Outdoor Survival, Camping and Everyday Tasks
  • DIMENSIONS: 12.8 inch (32.5 cm) overall length with a blade length of 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) and a weight of 1 lb 9 ounces
  • DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable SK-5 High Carbon Steel with a black, nylon fiber handle
  • DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient black nylon belt sheath with belt loop
  • SECURE: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the hand and finger shaped grip
  • BE PREPARED: Axe features a spike pommel as well as a nail pull/pry bar

Allowing a range of actions from pulling nails to hacking down branches, the powered coated head and full tang will take you wherever you go, doing whatever’s needed on the way. With the Schrade, you are covered.

Tech Specs:

  • Dimension: 12.8” x 3.1”
  • Weight: 2 pounds
  • Material: Powered coated stainless steel, glass filled nylon handle.

Conclusion

When shopping for the best tactical tomahawk, quality of construction is vital, with design and function a close second. With all of these great tomahawk designs, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs and budget.

You may also like

Outdoors Magazine

Embracing the Great Outdoors is a compelling blog dedicated to celebrating the beauty and thrill of outdoor activities, weaving tales of awe-inspiring hiking trails, serene fishing spots, strategic hunting expeditions, and invigorating camping adventures to inspire and guide like-minded enthusiasts.

Edtior's Picks

Latest Articles

©2023 Outdoors Magazine. All Right Reserved.