February 28th, 2023
7minute read
Blade expert Randall Chaney returns toThe Armory Lifewith a CRKT Kangee T-Hawk review.
How did this tactical axe do?
Columbia River Knife & Tool, or CRKT, also worked with Johnson on the Woods Chogan T-Hawk.
The CRKT Kangee T-Hawk is a modern interpretation of the tomahawk axe. It is suitable for outdoors and survival work.
More traditional in appearance, the Woods Chogan shares the same lineage as the Kangee: the tomahawk.
What is a Tomahawk?
Tomahawk is an Anglicized variation of aNative American Algonquinterm for cutting tool, sometimes attributed totamahaacor similar terms.
In this portrait, Weasel Tail, a member of the Piegan Blackfeet tribe of Native Americans, holds a tomahawk. Image: LoC
A tomahawk refers to a small axe or hatchet that can be wielded with one hand.
His RJM Tactical tomahawks are prized in the load-outs of Special Operations soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Source of a Legend
Tomahawks were originally brought to North America in the 15thcentury by European traders.
The author, shown above, tested the Kangee T-Hawk axe on a variety of materials, including wood, plastic and sheet steel.
Soon after, the tomahawk became a symbol of both war and peace for the Native American culture.
Rogers Rangers successful light fighting tactics led to his tenets and tomahawk being adopted by modern U.S. Army Rangers.
Most of the original LaGana tomahawks you have seen were olive drab in color.
The Kangee T-Hawk has a textured grip that assists you in holding onto the axe while using it. When your hands are sweaty, this can be a huge help.
Scabbards came in an oxblood leather.
Thus, the tomahawks usefulness continued.
Chromium comes in at 0.3%, far from stainless or more properly corrosion and stain resistant.
CRKT includes a high-quality sheath to carry the axe. It has a buckle to hold the tomahawk while the sheath can be attached to MOLLE gear withPALS-type webbing.
But CRKT gives the steel a durable black powder coat to protect from rust.
The lower Rockwell hardness keeps the blade from being too brittle to take the shock of heavy impacts.
The bit is 2.93.
The handle of the Kangee T-Hawk has a slight curve and ample hand space. This makes it easy to swing accurately and with power.
While not typical for a tomahawk, the top grind does give an extra edge for scraping or thrusting.
I found all the flat-ground cutting surfaces to be work-worthy keen out of the green CRKT box.
Measuring 13.75 in length, the Kangee weighs a pound-and-a-half of cold steel.
The CRKT Kangee T-Hawk head is made of hardened SK5 steel with sharpened edges suitable for cutting through most materials.
The Boltaron sheath is friction fit and has a retaining strap and buckle.
It carries courtesyMOLLE-compatible slots or lashing eyelets.
A 63 length of webbing and two plastic sliders come with the Kangee for improvised transporting.
The author demonstrates a short thrust with the top edge of the Kangee T-Hawk. Be careful not to overextend yourself andbecome off-balanced.
I used two MOLLE clips to hook the Kangee up to an old backpack.
While wearing the pack, I was able to access and unholster the tomahawk one-handed without difficulty.
Full-tang construction eliminates the weakness of any axe, the junction of the head and handle.
The spike end of the Kangee T-Hawk punched through the sides of military ammo boxes with ease.
The knob of the handle is exposed so it can be used as a blunt striking surface.
It is also drilled for lanyard holes.
The glass-reinforced nylon scales give the Kangee a very positive hold.
The author carried a tomahawk-type axe as part of his normal SWAT loadout. The Kangee T-Hawk replaced his older axe for current duty use.
Further, the curves of the tang lock into the hand in multiple grips.
That makes this tomahawk amazing to wield.Kangeemeans Raven in thelanguage of the Sioux Native American tribe.
I can visualize this in its spiked beak, swooping handle and midnight appearance.
CRKT Kangee T-Hawk Specifications
CRKT provides a lifetime warranty on this axe.
Instead of taking materials with me, I foraged for things that looked like they needed … altering.
I found some hardwood boughs, survey stakes and plastic containers to test the blade on.
Whack, whack, whack.
The Kangeesedge remained sharp.
When swinging any tool, I am mindful of where it could follow through.
I hadnt chopped anything with a hatchet or tomahawk in some time, so I used care.
What I did not find in the woods was a suitable analog for punching through metal.
Yeah, there was a thick cast iron curb box lid, but that would be an unfair test.
Arriving back at my lair, I found an old ammo can.
For this evaluation, I wore safety glasses and a glove.
I pierced the ammo cans steel 30 times with the spike on the rear of the Kangee.
A good grind and heat treatment on the tomahawks head made this happen.
That particular tomahawk has already been replaced with the Kangee in my Police Interceptor.
It proved itself in my trial.
The Kangee has superior ergonomics.
Kangees curved handle and knob give a much more secure grip over a straight haft.
CRKTs Kangee is a deserving inclusion available inSpringfield Armorys store at $147.00.
Maker Ryan Johnsons custom tomahawks will set your credit card back over half a grand.
Why not buy one you wont be averse to banging up?
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