Update: I've recently read that the newer condor tomahawks might have ash wood handles. If that's true then that is a major point AGAINST condor, hickory is a far better wood for axe/tool handles and I would probably buy another brand because of that. Also it's a misconception that tomahawk handles are "easy" to make, no they are not, they are "EASIER" to make than axe/hatchet handles but that doesn't mean they are "easy", you still need the proper know-how, tools and materials and a few hours to do it. I got this VERY used from Amazon warehouse deals and I don't throw hawks, I use them as belt axes, so bear that in mind during this review. Something you maybe wondering is how this stacks up against cold steels line of hawks? I own 5 different cold steel versions so I'm a big fan of them. But this condor hawk is a definite step up in just about every category (though this also had that stupid set screw), it's fit and finish was better, despite it having clearly been abused by it's previous owner, it's edge had a dent from a strike against metal and glue remnants from it having been used to try and secure the head. It took only a few minutes of hand sanding to get a proper friction fit, far less time than any cold steel. The handle itself is slightly slimmer than cold steels and is much closer to a historical handle in this regard and comes sanded smooth with a light oil finish( not rough and neon white like cold steels). And it's grained properly! Yes the Damn grain is completely in line with the cutting edge! For once! This is a total crap shoot with cold steel handles, out of 5 hawks one was correct, three were close and one was the exact opposite of what you want. For the head geometry if your familiar with cold steels pipe/spike/frontier hawk then you are with this one, it's more of a wood splitting, wedge shape than a traditional hawk ( which generally have very thin almost knife like heads), whether that's good or bad is up to you. The Finish, a faux forge hammered look, is in my opinion a lot better than that ugly black goop on a cold steel head, it's nowhere near as good looking as an actual forge hammered look though. Inside the eye was pretty rough looking but that's not a concern to me. And this has thicker steel around the eye than cold steels, around %50 more on the sides so it should be much stronger and resist eye deformation much better. The real star of this hawk is its bit ( cutting edge) and its bits geometry. First of all it has on a cutting edge, something cold steels lack, the difference is on those you start with a bastard file on this you start with a fine grit stone or sand paper. Second is that this has a true convex grind edge with no secondary bevel, a sharp and strong edge style. The beard is a little more pointed and the whole bit is a little more level, cold steels bit faces down a little more. Another big bonus is that this comes with both a nice leather bit mask and a leather belt holster/frog, the two can be connected by a leather strip or length of paracord as both have metal reinforced holes in them ( I can't remember the technical term for them). This holster fits cold steel handles too though a little tight on them. The main drawback to this is that the "pipe" pol is welded on, it's hidden well but I think it's welded, unlike cold steels which are a solid one piece head, though as I said this has much thicker steel going around the handle so this is stronger other than on the hammer pol. So is this worth the extra money? Yes, to me yes. The head is stronger, except for the welded pol, it's got a much better edge geometry and is truly usable out of the box( plastic bag actually), you don't have to choose between looking at that ugly coating or stripping it off, the handle is more comfortable ( opinion) and is properly grained, it's made of slightly better steel ( 1060 vs. 1055) and comes with both a nice quality mask and holster ( $20+ value right there maybe). But most importantly it just feels and seems to performs better, especially out of the box. I still love my cold steels and they are still worth the price but so are these condors, you definitely get that extra monies worth from them. Plus you can still do some modifications to them, personalise and make them your own just like the cold steels. I now have another decently priced, good quality line of tomahawks to enjoy.
