Review: Woods Chogan T-Hawk (MSRP: $89.99)

The first time changes you. You'll slide your hands over the smooth Tennessee Hickory grip. You'll stretch your fingers out and replace them one by one on the handle like Mickey Mantle might have on a Louisville Slugger so many years ago. You'll walk, and the weight of the carbon steel axe and hammer will cause it to swing in a way that seems to carry the strength of a 1000 mustangs. Your heart will slow. Each beat pounding methodically, specifically in time with the metronome of the weighted blade at your side. Part of you, lets be honest, most of you will want to throw it at something, and if you didn't have a beard, you'll have the strength of one now.

CRKT made a hatchet that harkens back to a time when hatchets were called tomahawks and used not just for camp firewood but for survival. It was designed by Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical, and weighs just over two pounds. Slipping the hardcover plastic covering off and the little rubber blade cover the first time feels dangerous. And it is. The blade is sharp...really sharp. A versatile instrument, the back of the axe has been forged into a hammer. The handle tapers above and below the axe enabling it to actually tighten in place the more you use.

I took it up to Sequoia National Park for it's first use. There was firewood for sale but at $7 a bundle I felt the hatchet calling out to me from back hatch to help supplement our firewood supply. A downed tree near camp served as my testing ground. I raised the T-Hawk over my head with one arm and brought it down with a satisfying Thwack! And then I did it again, and again, and again. I alternated between one armed swings which felt a little too loosey-goosey considering the sharpness of the blade and the proximity of my leg, and two armed swings (like you would with a full size axe) which felt safer and more powerful. After 20 minutes I had a decent pile of woodchips to get my fire started, and a healthy sheen of sweat going on my brow.

It was time to try throwing it at something. I didn't just want to chuck it at a living tree. I propped up the log on a stump. Moved my Wife and dog of to the side and backed up about 20 feet. I scanned the area like I had some idea what I was doing, and wound up like I was about to throw a fastball to Bo Jackson (if you are too young to know Bo watch a highlight reel on youtube). I stepped in and threw. Everything felt good. The weight in my hands. The rotation of my shoulder bringing the tomahawk overhead and a high release point.

I missed by a long shot. Mildly embarrassed I scrambled to recover the hatchet and my dignity. I failed many, many times, but by the end of my efforts that first time I was laughing, my wife was laughing and we still had the wood chip pile! Over the next few months the hatchet has traveled with us to camp in Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, North Dakota, Montana and Iowa. We've used it more to supplement our wood than generate it. Mostly, because we aren't going to randomly chop trees down, but in some cases where downed and dried trees were accessible to camp we were able to manufacture our entire fire pile for a night. That hatchet effectively pays for itself.

We don't use the hammer as much since we're car camping but occasionally when we set up the tent or keep it near by "just in case" while in the backcountry. The Chogan T-Hawk is something of a throwback with its wood handle and grip and high quality head. Nothing fancy, but notable well crafted. Realistically, this could, and should, be the last hatchet I ever own if I treat it well. I'm not using it for major jobs but the strength of the handle, the solidness of the head, and the sharpness of the blade inspired confidence in its use beyond my camping needs.

Even now after months of use I still get a bit of a thrill picking it up. I'm sure that has something to do with masculine ego, but it also speaks to the character of this tool. It's eye-catching in its simplicity, and it isn't unusual for a fellow campers to come ask about it. It's hard to explain, but when you pick it up a jolt of electricity seems to shoot thru you. A way of nature reminding you that in the past this was a tool for survival, and as such you should honor the memory of its origins.

I give the CRKT Chogan T-Hawk my best score: Four Tent Stakes of Awesomeness. This is a great addition to anyones camping gear, and attractive enough to hangover the mantel when not in use. The CRKT slogan found on the packaging is "CONFIDENCE IN HAND." And it is definitely that. Even if I haven't really got the throwing thing down yet.

You can find the CRKT Chogan T-Hawk online at https://www.crkt.com/woods-chogan-t-hawk.html or your nearest outdoor retailer here: https://www.crkt.com/dealer

Specifications per CRKT: 
Blade: 
   Edge: Axe with Hammer
   Steel: 1055 Carbon Steel, 50-55HRC
   Thickness: 0.520" (13.2 mm)
   Finish: Hammered
   Length: 4.210" (106.9 mm)
Overall: 19.130" (485.9mm)
Weight: 2 lbs 1.4 oz (947g)
Handle: Tennessee Hickory

I received this hatchet to review for free via TheDyrt.com. It was given under the promise of a review but with no restrictions on my content or editorial suggestion. Just thought you should know.