Tactical tomahawk destructive testing video

I finally got video edited together and uploaded showing my tactical 'hawks' various configurations and then doing some testing with them. 

It's fairly thorough and therefore long.  If you'd like to skip ahead to different sections, here's how it's divided up:

Design and Options - 1:22
Sheaths - 13:52
Cutting Wood - 22:57
Destructive Testing - 28:37

More video later.

15" tomahawks debut

I got back from the Usual Suspect Network Gathering show in Las Vegas a couple of days ago, where I debuted the new 15" 'hawks.  I was working right down to the last minute to get everything done that I could before the show, so I left Texas without being able to take any pictures first.

My lovely wife helped drive, watch the table, and generally make the show more fun.  God bless her patience!

I think this was the first time that tomahawks outnumbered forged blades on my table.

The 15" 'hawks lined up on the left corner.  From the left: Wrecker, War Chief, and Woodsman.

The three sizes of Wrecker lined up together: 18", 15", and 12".

The Woodsman sold at the show, so this is the only picture I have of it finished up.

I got pictures today of the two 15"ers that made it back.  The War Chief went without a sheath, which I will see about getting built in the next few days.  The Kydex is already molded, I just ran out of time to get it trimmed and assembled.

And the Wrecker, which did get a sheath in time.

As the 15" versions are the second generation of the tomahawks, there are a few changes other than just the length.  The most obvious is that there are now five rivet holes instead of three.  The rivets are also smaller diameter tubing, though with the same wall thickness.  So they are just as strong as the larger rivets, but have less handle material removed to accommodate them.  It's also still big enough to run paracord through for lanyard options.

The handle material is a new one for me as well.  It's a composite called Tero Tuf that is similar in concept and texture to canvas Micarta, but is actually tougher and as a bonus is less toxic to work with in the shop.  I like my lungs, so that's much appreciated!

These changes will be implemented into the 18" and 12" versions as well as the blanks that are already cut get used up and the new second generation blanks are cut out.

15" tomahawks cut out

I picked up the first batch of 15" tomahawk blanks from the waterjetters today!

15 blanks, 5 each of the three designs.

In comparison with their bigger and smaller brethren:

War Chief:

Woodsman:

Wrecker:

I'm busily working on getting inventory ready for the Usual Suspects Network Gathering show in Las Vegas at the end of the month.  My goal is to have a small handful of the new size on hand at the show.

Grinding jig

I modified my test jig with polypropylene bearing surface sourced from a Wal*Mart cutting board, held on with the motley assortment of bolts I had around the shop.  Slides much better without being too slick.

Shop Cat is so helpful...

Shop upgrade and test grinding

Been working on a new stand for my KMG to accommodate an extra-long work rest for jig grinding waterjet cut bush sword blanks.

This Little Rok is the first of my waterjet cut blanks to get ground on it.  Still a bit of tweaking on my process with the new setup, but I think I'm most of the way there.

Big ol' bunch of tactical tomahawks

I've kind of gotten behind in posting pics of the 'hawks that have gone out my door.  They've been keeping me busy!

War Chiefs:

Wrecker:

Woodsman:

The photos on the pink rock were taken along the banks of the Rio Grande just south of Taos, New Mexico, during my honeymoon.  They didn't all get shipped during the honeymoon (who knew that not all post offices carried the long flat rate boxes?) but some did and the rest went out after we got back home.

I had a 12" Woodsman and 18" War Chief sell at the Blade Show without getting some pics first.  And a couple of 18" trainers too.  :)

Things are about to get busier...

...on the Grinding Division side of things.

You might say I have my work cut out for me.  :D