Anyone have a Gerber Downrange Tomahawk?
 

Link: Downrange Tomahawk

Anyone have one of these?

A good friend of mine is a designer for Gerber. I think that the tactical stuff is not available to the general public. I'll ask him.

Junk.

Gerber was once a great knife/tool company. Nowadays they just make "tactical zombie ninja" crap.

My red dot has a laser, and I have a mall that I need to protect, so its all good.....

But seriously....

Yes please.

I'd love to review and youtube it too, if that helps.

The stuff they make in house is most certainly NOT junk. They have some very impressive machinery and people.

I bet there's some cops who have 'em. You know, just in case somebody's smokin a doobie behind that door.

As a entry tool it is lacking. Too short to get real leverage to open a door. Likewise for a chopping tool. Note that the company ads only show it being held menacingly or trying to open a door.

Best to use something that is designed for that job and really works.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383108466.jpg

Not sure of the cost difference but add a $30 sledge hammer and you can open just about any door around with a Kelly tool. :)

I have impressive machinery, too. It means nothing.

420HC is NOT an appropriate material choice for...well, much of anything...but certainly not for a high impact edged tool that lists over $300. There are no serious hawk/axe makers that use stainless, and there's a reason for that.

You need those tools in Canadia Bruce!!

But yes, I am looking for a light weight, carry-able, breaching tool/Axe.

I'll be sure to let my friend (who is a German engineer and likely designed the tool) that you think his life's work is garbage.

It looks cool, like something a Halo character might carry but what does it weigh?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383111412.jpg

Be my guest. :) I'm an American engineer who has forged a few blades and used many. It doesn't make me an expert but it has taught me how to choose the right material for the intended use of the tool.

While you're telling him, you might ask why the exclusive venue of 420HC is the under-$30 small blade market.

Also, feel free to Google "gerber knife recall". I think they're up 6 in the past thee years now?

So... What material would you use for such an axe?

My favorite entry tool when I was kicking in doors is this:



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1383114758.jpg


Put a carbide tip blade on it and steel or wood doors are no match. The Kelly tool and others bends the door frames. It's cheaper to cut the door and replace it than bend the frame and have to replace the whole door and frame. :)

A line charge along the hinges...

Personally *I* would use something in the 10xx series of carbon steels. That's what I have experience with. The pros are using 10xx, S7, 5160, 52100, and 4140. None of which are budget-grade stainless.

Daniel Winkler uses 5160 for his rescue axe. Daniel Winkler, Master Bladesmith I won't comment on the design--I am not a black-clad tactical rescue operator.

Use the same on steel doors too- Stihl brand 2 stroke. I get a chuckle when others call them by the coined / other brand name Partner. Yep, a partner all right.

Have all sorts of tools for whatever comes up but other suggestions are sawzall type, reciprocating saws with special blades. The Lenox diamond blades cut thru thick CAST IRON not cheap at $30 each. Can start at an angle and then plunge cut. Amazing what they can do, fairly quick and clean.

For typical demo work, I usually resort to heavy sledges and a variety of pry bars. Mass wins to break joints.

On the carry it and lightweight duty, I have a neat 10 oz. titanium drywall axe made by Stilleto. I don't use it for drywall but as a little camp axe, backpack, cycling trips. Wonderful tool.

http://www.thetoolstore.ca/catalog/DW10Ti.jpg

I also have a few other claw hammers made by them - finisher and my fave, an all titanium framer - called the T-bone. Does good damage and lightweight.

http://www.drywallzone.com/images/pr...MS-127x323.jpg

That Stilleto drywall ax looks like a great little camp ax. Was shocked that it's $110!!

Agree they're not cheap. I purchased mine for a fraction of that while meeting the prez of Stilleto at a trade show. Old name company making great products.

I see they now offer a 9 oz. drywall axe w/ poly or perhaps fiberglass handle. Also has a different cut-out head design. I don't know many who do lathe work anymore and use small axe. Guessing they have a reason to produce and sell enough of them.