When I hear the words tomahawk related to anything tactical I usually think gimmick. However, sometimes I’m wrong. And this time I was very very wrong. I don’t know that tomahawk is the correct word for the Gerber Downrange Tomahawk. It’s a simple, effective and dependable breaching tool suited for a variety of uses in the field. The downrange tomahawk was made to consolidate multiple breaching tools into one easy to carry element that can withstand the hard use that breaching typically entails.
The Gerber Downrange Tomahawk uses 420HC steel with a Cerakote coating to ensure the blade will not prematurely rust. I found that the Cerakote held up remarkably well to most situations except when prying directly on metal. I found that the finish otherwise remained mostly intact after heavy use (pictures were taken prior to heavy use).
The tool itself features a beveled axe whose purpose is to chew through drywall, walls and doors. In use, it works well and was effective in all situations encountered in a training environment. The backside of the axe is a thin hammer for getting in between hinges, destroying locks, doorknobs etc. Again, effective in its simplicity. One of my favorite parts is at the end of the Gerber Tomahawk you have a hefty pry bar for some serious work. The axe head is cut out and isn’t sharp so that you can grip it easily with gloves and really put some force on it for whatever your needs entail. The handle of the axe features G10 handles so that you can easily grip while doing all of you destructive work.
The Tomahawk also features a simple sheath which incorporates itself easily onto packs or on the backs of plate carriers. It’s simple to use and works well. Ultimately the Gerber Downrange Tomahawk is a much-needed breaching tool for most tactical work that you could find yourself in. It’s well constructed for the task and won’t let you down.
