The tactical tomahawk is the most versatile axe you will ever find. Whether you work in law enforcement, the military, search-and-rescue, or you are a wilderness adventurer, a tactical tomahawk is designed for extreme outdoor survival scenarios.
The 8 Best Tactical Tomahawks
- SOG Tactical Tomahawk
- SOG FastHawk Throwing Hatchet
- Cold Steel Drop Forged Tomahawk
- Columbia River Knife & Tool Kangee T-hawk
- Estwing Tomahawk Axe
- Gerber Gear Downrange Tomahawk
- M48 Tactical Tomahawk Axe
- Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife (Our Top Pick)
Our Top Pick for the Best Tactical Tomahawk
Our top pick for the best tactical tomahawk is the Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife.
The compact and rugged tomahawk from Browning is one dynamic survival tool. Whether it is chopping or splitting wood at the campsite, breaking a window to escape from a burning vehicle, or defending yourself against wild animals or zombies, the Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk is destined to be your new tactical buddy.
Check the price on AmazonUnleash Your Inner Viking with the Tactical Tomahawk
The tactical tomahawk harkens back to the Viking warriors and American Indians and this aggressive single-handed axe is a popular modern-day tool. It offers you the power of a camping axe and the slimline portability of a hatchet. You can use this highly versatile tool for so many different tasks.
- Shatter a window or remove debris to rescue someone who is trapped in a burning house or a crashed vehicle
- Cut, chop, and skin wild game
- Split and chop wood at the campsite
- Hammer in a tent peg
- Trim a tree branch to make a spear to catch fish
- Break down a door during law enforcement or military raid
- Protect yourself against a predator
- Use as a throwing weapon in combat situations
- Excavate a construction site
- Knockdown a wall during DIY home renovations
How to Choose the Best Tactical Tomahawk
Design
The tactical tomahawk has a unique design that sets it apart from the camping axe and the hatchet. Its dual-sided head has an axe on one side and a spike or a hammerhead on the other end. You can use the axe for chopping, cutting, and splitting; and the spike for breaking, striking, or stabbing. The hammer can be used for pounding in tent pegs or breaking down a door.
Some tomahawks such as the SOG FastHawk Throwing Hatchet are multifunctional and can be used for dual tactical applications such as wilderness treks and SWAT missions, while you can engage in military manoeuvres and rescue operations with the Columbia River & Tool Chogan T-hawk Tactical Axe.
Alternatively, you can hunt wild game or defend yourself in combat situations with the SOG Tactical Tomahawk, the M48 Tactical Tomahawk Axe, or the Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife.
Size
Tactical tomahawks range in size from the ultra-compact tool 10.5-inches Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife; the medium size 15.9-inches SOG Tactical Tomahawk; and the extra-large 19.27-inches Gerber Gear Downrange Tomahawk.
– Large to Medium Tactical Tomahawks
Large to medium tomahawks are designed for chopping small logs, splitting wood, or removing debris during an accident. The longer length also allows you to generate the right amount of striking force for more demanding tasks.
Portability and packability can be an issue with larger tomahawks. So think about what you will be using the tomahawk for and where you will be storing it.
– Small Tactical Tomahawks
Small tomahawks give you more operator control for light chopping tasks or close combat situations. They are easier to pack away in a backpack, bug-out bag, or camping gear. These compact tools are great for EDC but they do not give you the leverage or the sliding room you need to maneuver your hand on the handle.
Although most small tomahawks are not designed for chopping a log, check out this video of the amazing Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk in action.
Handle
The handle will either be constructed out of fiberglass or nylon, Thermoplastic Elastomer, or steel. Steel handles are a great choice as they are usually connected to the head of the tomahawk.
This solid one-piece construction makes the tool extra strong and durable. Fiberglass and thermoplastic handles are lightweight and weatherproof. A shock-resistant handle, such as the Estwing Tomahawk Axe does, will absorb any impact or vibrations during operation.
The most important thing about the tomahawk’s handle is that it stays securely attached to the head.
Head
The head or blade is the most important feature of the tomahawk as it makes contact with wood or metal surfaces. Tomahawk manufacturers use stainless steel or high carbon steel to craft their tactical tomahawks.
The construction will determine the tomahawk’s overall performance so the steel needs to be hard enough to withstand impact without chipping, breaking, or shattering. It should be wear and corrosion resistant and the blade should maintain its sharp edge over the long term.
Most blades will be semi-sharpened so after a few strikes on a whetstone, your tomahawk will be primed for action.
– Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a very good choice for a tomahawk as it is strong, highly rust-resistant, and shines like the sun but it may not be hard enough for heavy-duty chopping tasks. If you like stainless steel, here is a helpful guide to the different levels of steel like 420 or AUS-6.
– High-carbon Steel
High-carbon steel is the king of steel for knives, swords, and machetes. It is tough, long-lasting, and has high tensile strength. Like stainless steel, the strength of the steel is measured by a hardness rating called the Rockwell Hardness Rating Scale. Most tomahawks have a hardness level of 54-55, which is an excellent level of hardness and edge retention.
The only problem with high carbon tool steel is that it is prone to corrosion. The manufacturer may use a corrosion-resistant black powder coating, but the steel needs to be well-maintained to preserve its lifetime durability.
Tactical Tool and Weapon Versatility
Some tomahawks give you extra tool and weapon versatility by integrating 3 tools in 1.
The Gerber has a beveled blade edge, a hammer for pounding, and a cutaway insert in the handle that can be used as a pry bar. M48 offers an extra-large blade that is razor-sharp on both sides so you can use it as a hook or cutting tool, and the spike is an effective striking weapon.
8 Best Tactical Tomahawks – Reviews
1. SOG Tactical Tomahawk
The SOG Tactical Tomahawk is an innovative updated version of the original Vietnam Tomahawk and it is designed to breach, excavate, extract, remove obstacles, and perform other tasks.
A universal tool for the modern warrior, the SOG is built for rough and tough outdoor conditions. The 420 stainless steel head is securely mounted to the glass-reinforced nylon handle with heavy-duty bolts and a steel ferrule provides additional handle reinforcement. The protective black casing gives the tool extra durability over the long term.
The 2 round holes in the blade make it lighter to carry and the balanced weight ratio makes the tomahawk a perfect throwing weapon at a charging animal or an opponent.
If you need to cut firewood, penetrate wooden doors or shatter car windows to rescue passengers, the 2.75-inches axe head is solid, strong, and sharp.
The ballistic glass-reinforced nylon (FRN) curved 15.75-inches handle gives you a good firm grip in all weather conditions.
Lightweight and compact, the SOG is easy to stow away in your backpack and it comes with a heavy-duty black nylon sheath.
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools offers a lifetime warranty on its tactical tomahawk.
Pros
- High quality
- Very affordable price
- Innovative, updated version of the Vietnam Tomahawk
- Versatile tool for breaching, excavation, and other utility applications
- Strong stainless steel
- Sharp axe head
- Good edge retention
- Solid and strong spike
- Balanced weight ratio perfect for throwing
- Tough ballistic glass-reinforced nylon curved handle
- Lightweight and compact
- Nylon sheath with belt clip
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
2. SOG FastHawk Throwing Hatchet
Whether you work in law enforcement, the military, or you are a wilderness enthusiast, the SOG FastHawk Throwing Hatchet performs flawlessly in extreme outdoor conditions.
Faster, lighter, agile, and easier to carry than SOG’s Tactical Tomahawk, the Fasthawk is ideal for urban or wilderness warriors on the go. However, do not be fooled by its compact 12.5-inches design.
The tomahawk is built for hard work such as chopping wood, breaking glass, cutting, hammering, piercing, digging, prying, pounding, shaving, notching, opening, and throwing. You can turn the cutting edge around and use the blunt edge for hammering or the chiseled edge for extraction. The hammer ensures precise placement when pounding on wood or metal.
The 2-inches 420 stainless steel axe head has a black scratch-resistant oxide body which guarantees durability and reduced reflectivity.
The head is securely mounted to the handle, and the heavy-duty bolts and steel ferrule ensure the strongest integrity and stop any splitting during use.
With a lightweight 19-ounce design, the tomahawk is comfortable to use and the handle is crafted from ballistic glass-reinforced textured nylon, which is slip-free even in wet conditions.
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools includes a nylon sheath that can be mounted to your belt, backpack, or tactical gear.
Pros
- High quality
- Good price
- Well-designed
- Multi-functional
- Strong and durable 420 stainless steel head
- Good sharpness
- Faster, lighter, more agile, and easier to carry
- Ideal for camping and law enforcement
- Side hammer is strong and ensures precise placement
- Ballistic glass-reinforced nylon textured non-slip handle
- Compact and lightweight
- Ergonomic design
- Well-balanced
- Nylon sheath that can be mounted to belt, backpack, or gear
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
- Handle is a bit thin
- Not overly sharp
- Bit too lightweight to be used as a throwing tomahawk
3. Cold Steel Drop Forged Tomahawk
The Cold Steel Drop Forged Tomahawk is a formidable tomahawk for modern weapon warriors as well as being an ideal survival axe.
Drop forged from powder-coated carbon steel and featuring a sharp 3½-inches blade and a solid wedge-shaped spike, the Trench Hawk will help you to defend yourself from attack or be prepared for the wild outdoors.
The sturdy axe head can chop through 3-inches or fewer branches and small logs and the spike breaks up hard compacted earth.
Its impact-resistant black polypropylene handle will withstand abuse from repeated blows and rough outdoor conditions. Although the Trench Hawk is made from ultra-hardened steel, it is one of the lighter tactical tomahawks and can be used as a throwing tomahawk.
For a good amount of leverage as you take a swing, the tomahawk has a generous 19-inches length. The smooth handle fits well in your hand as you strike a blow, throw the tomahawk or chop wood for a warming fire in the cold.
The Trench Hawk comes with a patented Secure-Ex articulated sheath. You can also choose from other designs and a tomahawk with a hickory handle.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for recreational or professional use
- Tough powder-coated carbon steel
- Axe head has a good sharpness for chopping and splitting wood
- Can be used as a throwing tomahawk
- Ideal for weaponry, rescue, survival, and camping
- Impact-resistant handle provides a good grip
- Available in other designs
- Patented Secure-Ex articulated sheath
Cons
- Longer design may take a while to master as a throwing tomahawk
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
- Blade may require sharpening out of the box
- Carbon steel can rust easily
4. Columbia River Knife & Tool Kangee T-hawk
Featuring a premium design by custom bladesmith Ryan Johnson, the Columbia River Knife & Tool Kangee T-hawk is a versatile tool to have while you are hunting or camping.
The Kangee T-hawk combines the smaller design of the hatchet, the chopping power of a camping axe, and the blunt force impact of a hammer. So whatever type of task, project, or mission you have, the CRKT tomahawk is up to the challenge.
Crafted from a single slab of hard SK5 high carbon steel that has a corrosion-resistant black powder coating, the T-hawk’s robust design ensures long-term performance.
The blade geometry has tapered cutting edges which are highly efficient at splitting, chopping, and shaving. You can use the sharp spike end for various tasks such as breaking glass or piercing animal hide.
You will have enhanced control and a good grip over the tomahawk even in wet weather as the curved glass-reinforced handle has full-length handle scales and grip choils. The handle scales can also be removed for easy cleaning.
This tomahawk also has a lightweight and well-balanced design which makes it easy to carry.
The Molle compatible Kydex sheath buckles up securely with the sturdy strap, so you can attach the tomahawk to all your gear.
Columbia River Knife & Tool offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Kangee tomahawk.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Professional style tomahawk
- Ideal for various survival tasks
- Slim design
- Compact
- Forged from a single piece of SK5 high carbon tool steel
- Corrosion-resistant powder coating
- Blade geometry has tapered cutting edges
- Sharp spike end
- Highly efficient at splitting, chopping, and shaving
- Well-balanced and lightweight
- Comfortable glass-reinforced textured handle shaft has removable handle scales
- Grip choils provide enhanced control and grip
- Molle compatible, form-fitting Kydex sheath with a buckle strap
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
5. Estwing Tomahawk Axe
A testimony to Estwing’s dedication to crafting superior quality tools, its Tomahawk Axe offers you the perfect blend of smart design and powerful performance.
Designed for outdoor versatility, the Estwing tomahawk axe is perfect for chopping small trees and branches and the sharp pick end for breaching, excavation, and rescue situations.
Made in the US from the finest American forged steel, the 1070 high carbon tool steel construction and black corrosion-resistant coating provide maximum strength and durability. The relatively narrow full tang axe head has a cut-out design that lessens the weight but ensures precise contact with all types of materials.
The tomahawk’s extra-long 16.25-inches all-steel handle is solid and sturdy and the shock-absorbing rubber grip reduces impact vibration by 70%.
To keep the tomahawk safe and in optimal condition, Estwing includes a ballistic nylon sheath. Although the tomahawk has a longer length, there is a lanyard hole in the handle to strap it to your tactical pack.
Estwing offers you 3 colors: black, blue, and a tomahawk with a leather grip, and a Black Leatherman Pro Pack, which includes a REBAR 17-in-1 multi-tool.
Pros
- Outstanding quality
- Very affordable price
- Great value for money
- Unparalleled performance and durability
- Forged 1070 high carbon tool steel
- Full tang design
- Maximum strength and durability for a lifetime of hard work
- Made in the US using the finest American steel
- Narrow axe head and cut-out design lessens the weight but ensures precise contact
- All steel handle is solid and sturdy
- Patented shock reduction grip reduces impact vibration by 70%
- Ballistic nylon sheath
- Lanyard hole
- Three color choices
- Available with a Leatherman multi-tool
Cons
- Longer length may be hard to pack
6. Gerber Gear Downrange Tomahawk
Featuring the superb craftsmanship of Gerber Gear, the 19.27-inches Gerber Gear Downrange Tomahawk is one serious indestructible weapon of war.
The downrange tomahawk looks just like a weapon from a science fiction film or video game. As well as being stylish, it is solid, sturdy, sharp, and ready for action.
Gerber Gear offers you loads of tactical versatility with its unique triple-purpose axe head design. You can use the tomahawk for 3 different types of breaching applications.
The axe head features a beveled sharp edge that is capable of chopping through drywall or wood. The hammer can pound through doors or whatever is in your way. The cutaway section in the handle is a pry bar for removing wood or metal.
Built tough, the 420HC steel body with Cerakote will not bend or break. The desert tan G-10 handle has integrated scales to keep the tool firmly in your hands even in wet and muddy conditions.
The Gerber Gear tomahawk comes with a heavy-duty MOLLE-compatible sheath that attaches to your pack, standard webbing, or body armor.
The Downrange Tomahawk is backed by Gerber Gear’s lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very good value for money
- Made in the US
- Ideal for law enforcement and military tactical applications
- Solid and sturdy
- Tough 420HC steel body with Cerakote
- Desert tan G-10 handle has integrated scales for a firm grip
- Heavy-duty design
- Unique Gerber Gear triple purpose ax head has 3 tools in 1: axe, hammerhead, and pry bar
- MOLLE-compatible sheath
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Bit too long to fit into a backpack
- Blade needs to be resharpened
7. M48 Tactical Tomahawk Axe
This monster of a tomahawk from M48 is an excellent choice for wilderness explorers, hunters, or law enforcement officers. The M48 Tactical Tomahawk Axe is made from heavy-duty anodized AUS-6 stainless steel but it is lightweight enough to be carried all day without causing muscle fatigue.
With 3-tools-in-1, the M48 offers you a lot of tactical versatility. The extra-large 8-inches axe head and the sharpened spike are effective at mammoth chopping, slashing, and cutting tasks or warding off an attacker.
The head is specially sharpened on both edges so you can use it as a cutting and hooking tool for dressing wild game or a self-defense weapon against a charging animal.
Featuring an indestructible design, the tactical tomahawk has a 30% fiberglass reinforced nylon handle that is securely attached to the head by 3 separate bolts.
The M48 comes with a nylon sheath that has a snap button enclosure so you can always keep the tomahawk secure and ready for action.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Affordable price
- Good value for money
- Unique 3-in-1 tool and weapon design
- Heavy-duty anodized AUS-6 stainless steel
- Ideal for camping, law enforcement, hunting, and self-defense
- Lightweight
- Easy to wield
- Durable and indestructible design
- Easy-gripping 30% fiberglass reinforced nylon handle
- Nylon snap button sheath
Cons
- Blade is only semi-sharpened
- Not ideal for heavy-duty chopping task
- Not very effective as a throwing tomahawk
8. Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife
Built tough for rough outdoor environments, the Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife is the only tool you will ever need. Originally designed for hand-to-hand combat for military and SWAT teams, the Hawk is great for splitting kindling at the campsite or for breaking a window.
The US-made tomahawk features a high-carbon 1055 black powder-coated steel construction with a Rockwell Steel Hardness of 54, which gives the tool exceptional hardness and long-term durability.
As well as its other excellent camping and survival skills, the Browning has other talents. The sharp 2.75-inches axe head can chop into a log with no trouble and the blade is very easy to pull out from the wood.
The curved penetration spike and the spiked pommel on the end of the handle are powerful striking and stabbing weapons. If you need to defend yourself from a wild animal, just strike out with the tomahawk or throw it, which gives you time for a fast getaway to safety.
For a secure grip in tough outdoor conditions, the one-piece handle is hand-wrapped with black nylon paracord and the grip has padded finger grooves.
The unique Black Label Tactical Blades logo adorns the side of the blade to remind you of the grand tactical mastery of this superb tomahawk.
The Browning tomahawk features an ultra-compact and convenient 10.5-inches size so it can be carried virtually anywhere. Keep it safe with the Blade-Tech™ molded polymer sheath which has a Tek-Lok™ belt clip loop width that can be adjusted for the perfect fit. You can also use the generously sized lanyard hole to strap the tomahawk to your pack.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Made in the US
- High-carbon 1055 tool steel blade
- Rockwell Steel hardness of 50-55
- High tensile strength and durability
- Solid and sturdy
- Good sharpness
- Curved penetration spike
- Versatile
- Ideal for chopping, breaking glass, survival, and self-defense
- Compact
- Unique Black Label Tactical Blades logo adorns the side of the blade
- One-piece handle with spiked pommel is hand-wrapped with black nylon paracord
- Generously-sized lanyard hole
- Blade-Tech™ molded polymer sheath with Tek-Lok™ belt clip adjusts for easy carrying angle
Cons
- Expensive
- Shorter handle does not allow for a lot of leverage
- Heavy
Our Top Pick for the Best Tactical Tomahawk
Our top pick for the best tactical tomahawk is the Browning Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk Knife.
The compact and rugged tomahawk from Browning is one dynamic survival tool. Whether it is chopping or splitting wood at the campsite, breaking a window to escape from a burning vehicle, or defending yourself against wild animals or zombies, the Shock N’ Awe Tomahawk is destined to be your new tactical buddy.
Check the price on Amazon
