If you love the outdoors and are well versed in the topic, you will know that the hatchets, axes, and tomahawks are some of the essential survival tools. Campers will use the tomahawk knife for everything from clearing the campsite to chopping/splitting wood, and self-defense.

The modern tomahawk has its origins from tools used by the Native Americans for chopping wood and hunting. Although today’s tomahawks maintain an almost similar appearance to what the Native Americans use, the materials, design and also the quality is different.

However, you can classify these axes into two broad categories which are the throwing tomahawk and tactical tomahawk. Throwing hawks are in most instances for sports and are typically lighter than the tactical ones. Tactical tomahawks are for handheld tactical and bushcraft applications, but you can also use them for various other applications around the home.

The right tomahawk for you will depend on your needs and how good you are at handling one. But, whether you are using one for the first time or have a lot experience there is always something for everyone, and you only need to know how to make the right pick.

10 Best Tomahawks - Reviews

#1. Kershaw 1073X Tomahawk Knife

Editor's Rating:  (4.4 / 5)

Kershaw 1073X is one of the best tomahawks for anyone that wants something for a variety of uses. It comes with a sharp 4-inch edge, and it also includes other tools like a deep penetrating spike, nail puller, and a pry bar. The durable steel gives this hawk a long life, and it also has a black oxide coating to prevent wear.

For the grip, you get a riveted and glass-filled nylon scales with k-texture to ensure that you always get a secure grip for comfortable handling. The Kershaw 1073X is 16 inches long, and it has a total weight of 2 pounds making it very portable.

This tomahawk will not fold, but it comes with a sheath to protect the blade, and Kershaw provides a limited lifetime warranty.

Who Should Buy?

The Kershaw 1073X is a lightweight and multipurpose tomahawk that you can use for everything from cutting things in the garden and splitting wood to clearing a trail when out in the wilderness. And so it is an excellent tool for an outdoor enthusiast to have around.

#2. SOG Tactical Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

SOG makes some of the best tactical tomahawks, and they are also an industry leader in the manufacture of most blade types. This particular unit features a 420 steel construction with an attractive black finish, and it is a versatile axe that you can use for various applications. It comes with a tough ballistic polymer that is non-slip to ensure that you always get a secure and comfortable grip.

This tactical tomahawk has a unique checkering on the handle that might not look significant, but it is quite handy when you need some precision when pounding. And it is 16 inches long and weighs 1.5 pounds which makes it one of the lightest on our least. When you buy this tomahawk, you also get a ballistic nylon sheath with snap closures and a belt loop.

Who Should Buy?

This tomahawk is best suited for someone that wants a lightweight tactical tool. It will work best for obstacle removal, breaching and even for self-defense if you master how to handle it well.

#3. SOG Voodoo Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

SOG makes the Voodoo Hawk Mini F182N-CP for outdoor enthusiasts like hikers, campers, and hunters that want something that they can carry for their excursions. The tomahawk is only 12.5 inches long and weighs 1.7 pounds for maximum portability. It features satin polished axe head that comprises of an extended cutting edge and a sharp spike that is very handy for piercing applications.

The nylon handle on this hawk has a glass reinforcement that not only makes it more durable but also improves the grip, and it also includes a stylish stainless steel pommel. With this tomahawk, you will also get a top-loading storage sheath that will protect the blade when in storage, and it also makes it possible to carry the knife on your belt.

Who Should Buy?

The Voodoo F182N-CP is the best tomahawk on our list for an outdoor traveler that is looking for a small but reliable hawk that can easily fit in a tactical backpack. Backpackers, hunters, and hikers will love this tomahawk axe as it is very convenient to carry.

#4. MTech USA MT-AXE8 Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4 / 5)

MTech MT-AXE8 is a survival tomahawk for the outdoor lovers, and it is very portable and affordable. This hawk feature 3-1/2 inches stainless steel cutting edge that is 3 mm thick and sharpened spike that has a slot out design and drilled hole.

The MT-AXE8 tomahawk also includes a cord-wrapped handle that ensures that users always get a firm grip regardless of the weather. Also, this paracord can also come in handy in a survival situation. The axe comes with a black nylon sheath that makes carrying easy and safe, and it is the second cheapest item on our tomahawk reviews.

Who Should Buy?

The MT-AXE8 is another very portable tomahawk, but it is more affordable than the SOG one above. And so it will be a good pick for someone shopping for a sturdy mini hawk on a budget.

#5. SOG F06TN-CP Fasthawk Tactical Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

The SOG F06TN-CP has a total length of 12.5 inches, and it only weights about 19 oz which makes it the lightest tomahawk on our list. This hawk features a 420 steel head with a 2-inch cutting edge and two drilled holes that help to make it lighter without affecting the size of the cutting edge.

The head also includes a chiseled edge that you can use for extraction and the blunt section is also ideal for hammering.

This light and agile tomahawk is easier to carry than most others. And the company makes things even better for the user by providing a ballistic polymer sheath with snap closures and a belt loop attachment. Also, SOG backs it with a limited lifetime guarantee.

Who Should Buy?

This tactical axe is for someone looking for a lightweight throwing tomahawk. It is one of the lightest units on our list, and so it will be excellent for fast throwing. The compact and lightweight also make it a handy tool for outdoor travelers.

#6. Estwing Black Eagle Tomahawk Axe

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

Estwing designs the Black Eagle for outdoors lovers, competitors and military professionals that are looking for a reliable tomahawk for heavy and daily use. The company makes it with forged one-piece 1055 American steel, and so you can be sure that you are buying something for long term use.

The handle is also one of the best on our list, and it is a shock reducing nylon vinyl that will absorb more than 70% of the vibrations to ensure comfortable use. Black Eagle is also a full tang axe, and so you can expect maximum sturdiness and durability, and if you also factor in the perfect balancing and weighting, you have one of the best bushcraft tomahawks.

With this hawk, you get a well-sharpened blade and spike meaning it is ready for use immediately.

Who Should Buy?

The 1055 American steel construction makes this the best tomahawk for heavy daily use, and it will be a good buy for both military and sportsmen. But anyone that wants a useful tool for cutting, excavation, and digging applications will also love it.

#7. Cold Steel 92BKPTH Trench Hawk Trainer Axe

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

Cold Steel 92BKPTH is the lightest item on our tomahawk reviews and also the most affordable. Although it is not a real tomahawk, it is a handy tool for martial arts practice and tomahawk fighting training. The Trench Hawk is 19-3/4 inches long, and it features a durable santoprene construction that makes it sturdy enough for throwing.

Although this hawk does not have an edge, its sturdy construction means that you can still use it for other things besides from training such as climbing. And it also has a beautiful black design that will make it look cool in your tool collection.

Who Should Buy?

Cold Steel 92BKPTH is a perfect tomahawk for martial arts training, but it can also be a good purchase for someone that is just learning how to handle the tomahawk axe.

#8. Camillus 19150 Sin Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

The Camillus 19150 has the toughest blade in our list and provided you keep it sharp it can cut through wood and branches with a lot of ease. The head is titanium bonded stainless steel, and apart from being hard it also holds the edge for long. For the head, you get a 4-inch cutting edge and a sharp spike for effortless piercing.

Camillus 19150 comes with a nylon handle that is glass filled for extra sturdiness and durability. Also, the grip is wrapped with 550 lbs camouflage paracord that also makes it suitable for use in any weather. This hawk comes with a ballistic nylon sheath for the head.

Who Should Buy?

This tomahawk is lightweight and easy to handle, and it also has a long cutting edge and so it is a sound pick for regular use since it not only cuts well but also can endure a lot of abuse. It will work well for gardeners, and it can also be a handy bushcraft axe.

#9. Browning Shock and Awe Tomahawk

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

This Browning tomahawk knife is by far the best product on our list. It combines a high-quality construction, perfect size, and high-quality sheath to ensure that you have everything you can wish for in an axe. The head consists of a pre-sharpened 2.3-inch cutting edge and an extra long hooked spike that you can use for everything from punching holes into wood to controlling things.

The handle on this hawk is cord-wrapped to provide firm and very comfortable grip, and it also comes with a high-quality sheath that includes 2 molle clips to give you many carrying options. At a total weight of 2.4 pounds, it is the heaviest hawk one out list, but the size and excellent weight distribution make it easy to handle. Also, it is the priciest knife on our list.

Who Should Buy?

If you are looking to own one of the best combat tomahawks that you can also use for bushcraft and various other applications this Browning knife is an excellent choice for you. And despite it being the priciest unit on our tomahawk reviews it is worth every coin.

#10. USMC Elite Tactical Survival Tomahawk Axe

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

This US Marine military tomahawk is a perfect tool for someone that wants a top-notch tool for tactical, bushcraft and survival application. It has the thickest head (7 mm) on our list and high-quality steel that makes it very durable. This 15-inch axe has a rugged nylon fiber handle that provides a secure grip and an end cap compass and lanyard.

When you buy this survival tomahawk, you also get a high-quality 1680D nylon sheath that will last for almost as long as the tool. And the best element about it is that the edge is pre-sharpened when you get it for immediate use. However, it is also the second priciest tomahawk on our list.

Who Should Buy?

This sturdy tactical axe will help with everything from chopping wood to bushcraft applications. However, the handle and the heavier head mean that it is ideal for someone with enough tomahawk handling experience.

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Choosing a tomahawk is always hard for both first-time users and the experienced survivalists. However, if you determine how you want to use it things should be a little easy for you because you will narrow down your options. With our tomahawk reviews above and by considering the following important points, you can be confident of getting a high-quality tomahawk axe.

#1. Head Shape

The head shape is always one of the first features that you should consider when choosing a tomahawk because it determines its uses and performance. In most instances, you will need to make a choice between single head, double head and those with a flat back and spike. Although there are few other head shapes, these three are the most common.

Choosing between these head types will depend on how you intend to use the tomahawk. With the single head all the power is channeled to the single cutting edge, and so it tends to make deeper cuts. The double-headed nail puller is an excellent choice when you are looking for one for throwing while the double head ones with a spike are ideal when you want something for multipurpose use.

#2. Cutting Edge

Apart from making a choice between different head shapes, you will also need to pick the right cutting edge. The two important features to consider for the edge are the thickness and length. Tomahawks with a narrow cutting edge will make deep cuts with every strike. And this is because they do not encounter a lot of resistance.

A longer cutting edge on a tomahawk means that the head has to be larger and heavier to accommodate the extra length. These types allow for more swing power and hence making them ideal for chopping and splitting wood. Also, tactical tomahawks will include a circular cut-out on the cheek which ensures that they can maintain a long cutting edge without being heavy.

#3. Handle

When it comes to the handle the two important things to consider is the length and material. Tomahawks will in most cases be between 10 and 22 inches long. But the right length for you will depend on how you intend to use the axe. Longer handles provide more leverage and a lot of force when swinging while short ones are more useful when working in confined areas.

Tomahawks with long handles are ideal for chopping trees, splitting wood and prying while short ones are best suited for throwing and tasks that require precision chopping. For the handle material wood, hybrid and integral are the three top styles.

Traditional wood handles are inexpensive, and they are handy for concentrating most of the weight on the head and are easy to replace. Integral handles are those that are of the same piece of metal as the head and tend to be pricey.

Also, integral handles place less weight on the head and hence affecting the balance of the tomahawk. The hybrids are handles made from other materials apart from wood and are separate from the head.

#4. Weight

As technologies advance, it is now possible to create stronger tomahawks without making them weighty. Weight affects the performance, and so you should not overlook it.

A lightweight tomahawk is easy to throw, but if you want something that delivers more power with every swing, you should go for one with a heavier head. And so the right idea when it comes to the weight is always to strike a balance between ease of handling and performance.