“Let the enemy come till he’s almost close enough to touch, then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet” – Ranger Robert Rogers (Roger’s Rangers Standing Order #19)
Tomahawks and hatchets are battlefield tools that have stood the test of time. In the 75th Ranger Regiment, we primarily use tomahawks for breaching or recovery. Meaning we use them to get into a building, vehicle, etc., or to get someone out of them. They are multi-use and can be used for chopping, breaching, hammering, prying, killing…. you name it and a tomahawk can probably do it. Essentially a mini axe, a tomahawk is a good addition to one’s kit. So good in fact, that many of us in the military have been issued tomahawks because of their versatility in multiple scenarios. Some very high-level Special Operations teams carry them religiously, while others choose to carry them by choice. But whether you are an operator, or an avid outdoorsman who could use a solid camp tool, a good tomahawk won’t let you down.
Ounces make pounds. If it’s too heavy you’ll leave it at home. Sayings we are all probably familiar with, and may be the driving force as to why many choose to not have a tomahawk included in their setup. There are tons of manufacturers making tomahawks, and many are either too heavy or too large for throwing onto a rucksack. Even SOG seems to have acknowledged that their original Voodoo Hawk may be too large for many applications. The SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini seems to fill the gap nicely by providing a lightweight tomahawk that doesn’t sacrifice durability. The handle is made of glass-reinforced nylon which is extremely durable, and keeps the overall weight to a minimum. It weighs in at 23.1oz, which is light given the multiple features and size of the blade. Blade length is 2.75 inches and is pretty large for the smaller tomahawks currently on the market. Overall length is just over a foot at 12.5 inches, which makes this tomahawk very compact, while maintaining a nice blade length. The SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini is the perfect size and weight to mount on the side of a rucksack or plate carrier and not be noticed.
The SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini has many features that distinguish it from an average tomahawk. Not only is the blade larger and more axe-like than its competitors, it hooks down which allows you to really grip something and pull without the tomahawk slipping. It also has ridges underneath the blade head to really dig into and grip whatever you are trying to pull on. On the opposite end of the head, there is a spike for piercing applications and it does so wonderfully. It isn’t overly sharp but penetrates well and serves its purpose. The handle has deep grooves in order to maintain a solid grip surface in all weather conditions, whether the hands are gloved or bare. The bottom of the handle features a metal pommel with multiple flat surfaces for hammering or smashing. SOG really made the most of this tomahawks real-estate by including multiple features.
The sheath is simple, made of ballistic nylon with a button closer. You do have to place it into the sheath handle first, which doesn’t really allow for quick access, but keep in mind this isn’t designed to be a primary weapon. Attached is a belt loop which is decent and is stitched well, but isn’t really a long-term mounting solution. The sheath is assembled with rivets on each side, so being as creative as you guys are, you could mount it to your chose platform with zip ties or 550 cord with ease.
Tomahawks are proven tools that accomplish many tasks with flying colors. As I said early, there are tons of manufacturers making tomahawks, but “good” tomahawks are generally on the expensive side. The SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini is the exception. It retails for a mere $60.00 which is nothing considering the insane durability and lifetime warranty that it includes. The SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini is available in either a black or satin finish, and can be purchased directly from SOG or on Amazon for around $39.
Author – Tim M. is an active duty Army Ranger who has served in Afghanistan and is currently a K9 handler for ARSOF. In his free time he enjoys shooting, working out and hitting the trails with the dog.
