I know that most people do not have time to read a whole 5000+ word article so I am going to save you the time by saying that my favorite tomahawk for today was from Smith & Wesson. If you want to know more about this tomahawk, you can click here.
This tomahawk was not only inexpensive but also of very high quality. I personally do not think that it will break under a large amount of stress. It is also the best value for the money which is why it is my top recommended product.
Finding the right tomahawk is not as easy as it seems. Some are way too heavy while others will break if you use too much force.
Today, you are in luck.
I have scoured the internet trying to find the 10 best tomahawks that the online world could offer. I went through all of the most important features of what to look for in a tomahawk which will help you considerably.
Below is a short scope:
Tomahawks have a variety of purposes. They can be used to chop wood and even limbs if you should ever experience a zombie apocalypse.
They can be thrown, used for close combat or simply to clear your path. Some tomahawks even have a pry bar at the end of the handle to force a door open.
Today we are going to cover 10 of the best tomahawks for throwing that you can find anywhere online. In this article, you will find a buying guide that will teach you what to look for, a comparison table that will give you the big picture of what is available online and I will also go in depth on each and every tomahawk that I could find.
Next, you will find a buying guide that will help you to choose the best tomahawk for your needs:
Tactical Tomahawk Buying Guide
The reason for creating this buying guide is so that you can get all of the information you need in order to make the best decision regarding a tomahawk.
So if you do not want to go through the pain of receiving a product that you will not like, then I highly recommend you to read this guide.
1. Let us start with the price
I think that we can both agree on the fact that at the end of the day, the price tag of a product will decide whether we should buy it or not.
Sometimes it is not just about choice but more about affordability. Some of us just cannot afford all of the products that we want.
Here is what you can expect:
The least expensive tomahawk will cost you a little above $30 while the most expensive tomahawk will cost you around $400.
This is a massive jump which is almost 10x the cheapest price.
So if you are short on a budget and you want to have the least expensive option, then I would highly recommend the United Cutlery M48 Tomahawk which is not expensive at all.
Then on the other hand of the spectrum, you will find that the most expensive tomahawk was also the one from Hardcore Hardware Australia which is also made from D2 steel which is very durable and hard to work with which gives this product such an expensive price tag.
The average price tag for most of the tomahawks in this article is between $50 up to $100.
2. More on the weight
Some of your older and more traditional types of tomahawks are also some of your heaviest. Some people might want a very lightweight tomahawk because it is easier to carry and use.
Some people might also prefer a heavier type tomahawk which they want to use to chop up wood and other objects that are harder and thicker.
The reason for this is that the added weight will also provide more force when being swung.
One drawback is that most tomahawks that are very lightweight are also weaker because their handles are made out of carbon fiber. Some of the tomahawks will also be 100% steel where the handle and ax head is one item.
If you would like to get your hands on some the lightest product in this selection, then I would recommend two very good tomahawks which weigh less than 10 pounds.
These 2 include the following:
The ax head and the handle are also one unit which makes the very strong and durable as well. These 2 are lightweight but also does not sacrifice strength and durability.
3. What type of steel used to forge the blade
Now, I do not want to get too deep into forging, but I think that you should at least know the basis of how steel is made and what types of steel you can expect to find.
Steel is actually iron that contains carbon.
Carbon can come from charcoal, ash and almost any type of burned natural material such as wood etc.
The amount of carbon in the steel will also affect some of the properties of the steel. The right way to make steel that is used for knives is to make sure that you do not add too many or too little carbon in the steel.
Too many carbon will result in very hard but brittle steel that will easily shatter and will break like a twig. If you add too little carbon, the steel will become like wire which will not break but instead bend when force is applied.
The problem with this type of steel is that it is too soft to hold an edge for the blade. The type of steel that you want is one that is not brittle but hard enough that it will retain its shape.
The types of steel used to make tomahawks are 1070 high carbon steel, AUS-6 stainless steel, 420HC steel, D2 steel and also Damascus.
The best type of steel is the D2 steel but it is also the hardest steel to work with when forged. This is why this type of steel is so expensive.
4. What about the handle?
In this review, there are 3 types of handles.
The first type is going to be steel handles that have some sort of coating to help with grip. These handles are the best because they also form part of the ax head. You can also say that they are inseparable to the head which makes the tomahawk even stronger and more durable.
The second type of handle is made out of carbon fiber. This type of handle is very lightweight and also very strong. They only problem that I have with these types of handles is that they need to be attached to the ax head via screws.
These screws will then be the weakest link and will cause the tomahawk to break easier.
The third type of handle is made out of wood. This type is also very strong, durable and is also attached much better which will result in a much stronger tool. The only problem with more wood handles is that they are heavy which makes the tomahawk heavier than it needs to be.
5. The axhead design
The design of the axhead is what truly makes a tomahawk different than a normal ax or hatchet. Normal ax heads will only have the cutting edge while the tomahawk will have a cutting edge and also a spike at the other end of the head.
This spike can be used for penetration, excavating, act as a counterweight etc.
It is also because of this counterweight ability that the tomahawk can be thrown easier.
6. Some can even be used as a small hammer or prybar
There is a specific tomahawk in this article that can also be used as a small hammer and a prybar as well. This tomahawk I refer to is the Gerber Downrange Tomahawk which has small hammerhead at the back of the ax head.
On the other end of the handle, you will also find a prybar. You will also notice that the head of this tomahawk has a small hole which will transform the head into a handle as well.
7. Do they include a sheath?
Almost all of the tomahawks in this review will also come with some sort of sheath. Most of the times, the sheath will be made out of either nylon or leather.
This makes it easy to carry the tomahawk so that you will not cut yourself with the sharp edge.
The Hardcore Hardware Australia Tomahawk comes with a sheath that is molle compatible which enables it to be attached to a backpack that has molle on the surface.
#1 Smith & Wesson SW671 (Top Pick)
If you would like to have a lightweight and also a solid tomahawk, then I would highly recommend the one from Smith & Wesson.
The Smith & Wesson SW671 tomahawk is lightweight and also has a very slim feel to it. This tomahawk is not that expensive when compared to some of the other tomahawks.
When it comes to the price, I would say that it is the cheapest tomahawk that is 100% steel.
The total length of the tomahawk is 15.9 inches and the weight is 7 ounces which are very lightweight and also comes with a nylon sheath.
What I really liked about this tomahawk is that the head and handle is one inseparable unit which makes it also one of the strongest.
More info on the features:
- The type of material used to make the axhead. The head is made out of 1070 high carbon steel and also has a black finish to it.
- The style of the axhead. The blade is also 3.9 inches long and has a spike at the back which is useful as a counterweight and to excavate rocky areas. The head also has a flat design with no holes.
- Very strong designed handle. The handle is a little bit different than that of the other handles. The reason is that the handle and the axhead is one inseparable unit.
- Grip not too bad. The handle area is then overlayed with handle slabs in order to give it a fair grip. The only problem with the handle was that it does not contain grooves that will help to improve the grip.
Personally, I think that this is a very good tomahawk that is not only lightweight but also very strong. The only small problem that I had was that of the grip.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#2 United Cutlery M48 Tomahawk (Least Expensive)
If you are short on a budget and you would like to get your hands on the least expensive option, then you might want to consider looking into the M48 Tactical Tomahawk Axe
The average price of the M48 Tomahawk is less than $40 which makes it the least expensive ax in this selection.
Some of the other tomahawks might be cheaper than this one, but it all depends on the supplier (made in China) or whether it is second hand.
The total weight of this tomahawk is 7 ounces and the sheath is included.
More info on the features:
- Axhead is made out of very tough materials. The axhead is made out of anodized AUS-6 stainless steel which is one of the toughest materials that you can find.
- The length of the ax head. The length of the axhead is around 8 inches long and can easily be used for wood cutting.
- Very stylish design and lightweight. This tomahawk comes in the color black where the axhead has quite a stylish design. The axhead also has 3 holes which makes this weapon lighter where it acts like a fuller. Behind the axhead, you will also find a sharp “knifelike” blade.
- The handle is made to be lightweight. The handle contains about 30% fiberglass and reinforced nylon. The handle also contributes largely to the 15-inch in length.
- What about the grip. The grip also contains small grooves in order to improve your grip. This will help your fingers to have better positioning over the handle of this tomahawk.
Overall, I think this is a good tomahawk except for the fiberglass handle. Sometimes you have to sacrifice some of the strength in order to make it lighter.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#3 Columbia River Knife
If you are someone that wants a tomahawk which has a natural wooden feel, then the Columbia River Knife is for you.
The handle is made out of wood where the axhead has a natural raw unpainted steel color. The price range is also less than $50.
One flaw on the handles part is that it makes the tomahawk heavier (with a weight of 48 ounces) than its fiberglass/nylon counterpart.
This tomahawk also does not include a sheath.
Some of the features that you should not miss:
- Has a strong axhead. The axhead is made out of hot forged 1055 carbon steel where it is also 8.2 inches long (along with the spike at the back).
- The axhead looks natural. The head also has a natural steel finish to it for if you do not want a black colored tomahawk.
- Has a natural wooden handle. The handle is made out of 100% hickory wood straight out of Tennessee which has a lacquer finish to it for increased durability.
The only problem that I had with this tomahawk was that there is also no grooves on the hand that will help with your grip.
This is especially a problem with heavier types weapons.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#4 Sog Tomahawk
Let us start off with the SOG tomahawk.
This tomahawk only comes in the color black. The axhead also has a sharp point at the back which also has multiple uses.
The total weight of this tomahawk is 24 ounces and it also comes with a nylon sheath in which to carry this weapon.
When it comes to the price, all I can say is that this tomahawk is less than $50 which would fit into most people’s budget.
More info on the features:
- The axhead is made out of good quality material. The head of this SOG tomahawk is made out of 420 stainless steel which is durable and strong.
- The axhead is just long enough. The head of the ax is around 2.75 inches long which is not too long or short and is ideal for chopping wood etc.
- More on the shape of the ax. The edge also does not have a curve to it like some axes do. The sharp point at the back also acts as a counterweight for when you want through the tomahawk.
- The length of the handle. Along with the handle, the total length of this tomahawk will equate to 15.75 inches.
- The materials used to make the handle. The handle is made out of glass-reinforced nylon which is a somewhat strong and lightweight material. At the furthermost end of the hand, you will find grooves which will help with the grip.
The only problem that I had with this tomahawk was that the handle is made out of fiberglass. Even though it is a strong material, I would still prefer solid steel.
This is also why this tool is lightweight as well.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#5 Gerber Downrange Tomahawk (Most versatile)
When it comes to strength and versatility then I must give it to the Gerber. The Gerber tomahawk is also a 3-in-1 tool which includes an ax, hammerhead and pry bar.
The head and pry bar area are also coated with a black finish and the handle area itself is covered with composite scales with a desert tan finish.
The head can also act as a handle for when you want to use the pry bar. The Gerber is also in the more expensive range which is below $200 and can sometimes be even more expensive.
The total length of the tomahawk equals to 19.27 inches and the weight is just over 30 ounces.
More info on the features:
- Made out of unique material. The whole tomahawk is made out of 420HC steel with a Cerakote® finish which is a strong material.
- Has 3 extra and unique functionalities. The head can also function as both an ax and a small hammer. There is also a large hole inside of the head that also makes it a handle for when you want to use the pry bar which is located on the other end of the handle. There is also a pry bar at the end of the handle.
- Very good quality handle. The handle is also made out of 420HC steel and it is actually an extension of the head itself which makes it one unit. The handle is then covered with composite scales which has grooves in order to improve the grip.
- Also comes with a sheath. This weapon also comes with a very nice looking sheath that is also compatible with any type of molle system.
This was really one of my favorite tomahawks of all time. It is very durable and also has a lot of features that come with it. The only problem is that it can be a bit too expensive for some people.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#6 Estwing Tomahawk Axe
If you would like to have a tactical tomahawk that is as solid as it comes, then I would highly recommend the one from Estwing.
What I really liked about this tomahawk was that you have a choice between 4 different styles and colors. These colors will include Black, Blue, Desert Camo, and Leather.
There is also an option where you can get a multipurpose tool along with the original product.
I also must add that the products from Estwing look very good. If I have to say anything about the price, then I would add that it is in the same price category as the Smith & Wesson.
This product also weighs just under 30 ounces.
Has some very nice features:
- Nylon sheath included. You will also notice that you will get a nylon sheath along with this tomahawk. The sheath makes it very useful to carry the tomahawk with you without cutting yourself.
- Has some pretty good grip. The specific Estwing that I am reviewing has a leather grip which also gives it a better grip than most other grips.
- Very good quality. This product is made out of a very good quality steel that will not easily break or bend. This will greatly enhance the durability and sharpness as well.
- Can be used for excavation. The axhead has 2 points while the one at the back is a pointed beveled edge design that can be used for piercing and to dig.
- Has a sharp ax edge. The front side of the tomahawk will have a sharp edge which can be used to cut small trees and branches.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#7 Condor Tool & Knife
This product from Condor is also a very nice tool to have if you are interested in tactical tomahawks. This product comes in the color black and what I liked was that the handle and axhead are one unit.
When it comes to the price, this product might be expensive for some people but at least it costs less than $100.
The tomahawk has a total length of around 17 inches and a weight of 7 ounces which is also very lightweight. Let us get started with some of the features.
More info on the features:
- Is made out of very durable material. This product is made out of 1075 high carbon steel which is very hard and durable. This product is also heat treated to 50-55 Rockwell C scale for added durability.
- Black coated. The whole product is also Epoxy black powder coated which gives it a blackish look. If you would like to have a black coated tomahawk, then this one is for you. It will also be harder to see in the dark.
- Has a great grip. The handle of this product is also wrapped with a real 500 lb test parachute chord. This cord is very strong and will also help with the grip. It also looks like this cord can be removed from the tomahawk for when you need a rope.
- The head and handle is one unit. This means that that the head and handle is one inseparable unit which makes it extra strong. This makes this product much stronger than those that have a fiberglass handle.
- Has a nice leather sheath. I would much rather prefer a leather sheath over a nylon one. For me, it just looks better.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#8 Hardcore Hardware Australia Tomahawk
If you would like to get your hands on the best possible tomahawk and you are not afraid to pay the hefty price, then I would like to introduce to you this product from Hardcore Hardware Australia.
This tomahawk has a black finish and is also made out of one of the toughest and most durable types of steel out there.
This product might also last you a lifetime with the right type of maintenance.
All I can say about the price is that it is more than $300 per product which also makes this tomahawk the most expensive one in this selection.
The reason why it is so expensive is that the type of steel it uses are very hard to work with even when heated.
This product also has a total length of 15.5 inches and a weight of 8.5 ounces which is fairly lightweight.
More info on the features:
- Made out of very good steel. This product is made out of D2 steel which has high carbon and chromium which is a semi-stainless steel type metal. It is very tough and good wear resistance. It is also very hard to work with when heated.
- Finished with waterproof coating. This type of coating makes the metal much more durable against most types of liquid. This is the type of coating that they use to create a nonstick surface on most types of cooking ware.
- Has hardened spike and blade edge. The spike can be used for maximum penetration against most surfaces such as windows, wood and also walls that are made out of brick. The blade edge can also cut through small trees and other types of material.
- Good quality handle. The handle of this product is also covered with G-10 material. This material is also very tough, provides some grip and also has electrical insulating properties.
- Comes with a very good sheath. The nice thing about this sheath is that it can also be attached to molle as well. This makes it ideal for when you are backpacking and your backpack is molle compatible. NJow you do not need to carry this tomahawk by hand.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#9 Poshland-Knives Tomahawk
If you are a huge fan of Damascus steel blades and you would also like to have a Damascus steel tomahawk, then the Poshland-Knives tomahawk is for you.
I have to admit that this tomahawk has is a very beautiful blade with the patterns etc.
Also, keep in mind that this tomahawk is not made for heavy use and is better for displaying purposes. You can still do some wood cutting etc, but then you should not use full force.
This product can be somewhat expensive and can even cost more than $100.
This product is 21.5 inches long and weighs just under 37 ounces which are quite heavy.
More info on the features:
- Made from Damascus steel. Now I can almost write a full article on Damascus steel, but I think for the purpose of this article, I will keep it brief. This type of steel is created when you weld 2 to 3 different types of steel plates to one another. These plates will vary in color (lighter to darker) and carbon density (strength and flexibility). Once they are welded together, they will then be heat treated, hammered and then folded. This blade was folded until it had around 176 layers.
- Has blade edge with a sharp point at back. The sharp edge can be used to cut wood while the sharper point at the back can be used to penetrate objects.
- Has a wooden handle. The wooden handle will give it a more natural feel and is also stronger some of the other carbon fiber handles. The only problem with wooden handles is that it is heavier than some of the other types of handles and slippier as well.
- Has a nice leather sheath. This was also something that I really loved. It can be used to carry your tomahawk without cutting yourself.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#10 USMC Elite Tactical Tomahawk
If you would like to have a tactical tomahawk that also comes with other very nice tools (something like a combo set), then I would highly recommend the tomahawk from USMC Elite.
What makes this product so unique was that the head the handle can be screwed open which will reveal the content stored inside the handle which can become very useful (will go more in-depth on the content later on).
It also only comes in the color black with a length of 15 inches and weight of over 30 ounces.
When it comes to the price, then I will mention that it is between $50-$100 per tomahawk. This tomahawk is not that expensive compared to what you get.
More info on the features:
- Stainless steel axhead. The axhead of this tomahawk is made out of stainless which is the type of metal that most knives are made out of. It is lightweight and will not rust. The axhead also has a sharp edge which is made for cutting and a sharp steel point that is used for penetration and also excavation.
- Rugged and strong handle. The handle is made out of nylon fiber which is also a strong type of material. The handle also has a cap at the end.
- Comes with very useful contents. This is truly a survival/tactical tomahawk. When you open the cap, you will notice that the cap is also a compass. Inside the handle, you will find a water-resistant capsule that contains a bandage, fishing line, hook, a striker and also matches.
- Come with a well-crafted nylon sheath. This sheath will enable you to safely transport the tomahawk without having to worry about cutting yourself.
I am not a huge fan of synthetic handles where you need to attach the head of the ax onto the handle. For this product, I will give a mild exception because of how rugged the handle is.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
Tomahawks For Throwing Comparison
| Product Name | Weight | Sheath Included | Price |
| 1. Smith & Wesson (Top Pick) | 7 oz | Yes | $$ |
| 2. United Cutlery M48 Tomahawk (Least Expensive) | 48 oz | No | $ |
| 3. Columbia River Knife | 48 oz | No | $$ |
| 4. Sog | 24 oz | Yes | $$ |
| 5. Gerber Downrange Tomahawk | 30 oz | Yes | $$$$ |
| 6. Estwing Tomahawk Axe | 30 oz | Yes | $$ |
| 7. Condor Tomahawk | 7 oz | Yes | $$$ |
| 8. Hardcore Hardware Australia Tomahawk | 8.5 oz | Yes | $$$$$ |
| 9. Poshland-Knives Tomahawk (Best Damascus steel blade) | 37 oz | Yes | $$$ |
| 10. USMC Elite | 30 oz | Yes | $$ |
Conclusion
Today we went over the 10 best tomahawks available on the internet today. We covered important metrics like weight, length grip, type of steel used, etc.
My favorite one for today was the Smith $ Wesson tomahawk as it is not too expensive for what it can do. I would like to wrap it up by asking you what your favorite tomahawk was.
Please submit any other tomahawks that are worth mentioning in the comment section below. For more related reviews like this, visit this page.
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