Page 27 - Blade (January 2019)

have done a number of articles on
throwing cutlery over the years but SOG’s Fasthawk ($34 MSRP) is a
Ione category I seem to have missed is great little thrower and can easily
that of throwing axes. fi nd its way into a backpack as
a light hatchet on an overnight
True, I have covered a number of
trail. It’s light enough to not add
tomahawk articles but not every axe too much weight to your carry
you throw is a tomahawk, whereas ev- but is capable of helping build a
ery tomahawk is an axe. Anyway, this campfi re. Note the metal ferrule.
time let’s do throwing axes! All of them It’s a good, strong set up that
protects the top part of the haft.
are axes but only some are tomahawks.
Confused yet? Well, let me try harder
(just kidding).

I have three offerings for review: the
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Fasthawk,
Condor Tool & Knife Francisca and
Southern Grind Wasp throwing axe set.
The primary chore of these axes is to be

hurled across a distance and hopefully
stick, so that is the No. 1 concern for me
in the story. If the axe can pull double
duty I will cover a bit of that as well.

TREKKER THROWER
Over the years I have tried a number of
SOG’s edged tools and have been pleased
with their performance. Th e Fasthawk

is no different. It comes in all-black
and polished versions and with a nylon
sheath. If you have a wooded lot to prac-
tice in you will find the polished version

a blessing, as it is easier to find on the

bush floor if you miss the target.

Overall length: 12.5 inches. Th e edge
is 2 inches long and has a non-sharpened
spike at the back. The spike might not

stick in wood but it will still injure a per-
son if you don’t respect it. SOG attaches
the head to the synthetic haft by means

of halving* the head into the haft and in-

cluding a ferrule just under the tang. Th e
result is a hatchet-sized cutting tool that
throws very well.
The compact size makes it easy to

throw because it helps avoid the axe
twisting in your hand on release. Some-
Normally the author uses
times the longer axes can be a bit harder this set up to practice knife
to keep straight during the throw. I usu- throwing. He changes out
ally find my throwing range around the pine board when it gets

beat up too much. The
seven paces from the target. Th e shorter
set up proved inadequate
Fasthawk means I have to step up to just for the Condor Francisca
over six paces to get the axe to rotate ($89.98 MSRP) as the axe
once in the course of a throw. split the board on impact.
As a tool the Fasthawk can double as
a small hatchet, though due to its size
keep your expectations reasonable and
do not hope to fell any mighty oaks.
Also remember that cutlery meant for

throwing is often heat treated to a lower

JANUARY 2019 blademag.com 27