- Friday, April 13, 2012
worth every penny

Reviewed By: Nick (Portage,  IN)
This is the first tomahawk I've ever had so I have nothing to base this off of but I love this tomahawk. I think I will buy a few more. Shipping was fast just 3 business days. Bigger than I thought but not a bad thing. Lighter than I expected too. Didn't come sharp but not a big deal.

 - Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tom

Reviewed By: swampking63 (The Bayou,  LA)
This tomahawk is quite pugnacious and I mean it in a good way. If y'all buy the rats in your house will never disobey you again and will run in scorn. I've never seen a weapon perform with such a demeaning affect toward the intended target. I don't know about ya'll but if I saw someone pointing this ax at me I would obey their every command even if its to pick cotton! I repeat buy this ax it will do ya'll good! Sincerely the master of hog squeals!

 - Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Wicked

Reviewed By: Citizenfitz (Tulsa,  OK)
You could do a real number on someone or something with this bad boy. Very strongly made, sharp and handles surprisingly lightly.

 - Friday, March 30, 2012
Luvin' it

Reviewed By: Francis7841 (Wichita,  KS)
An incredible tool. I've used this hawk for light camp duty, chopping small diameter branches, clearing light brush, etc. I wouldn't use it for splitting logs or nothing, but then again, that's not this hawks purpose. Excellent light duty axe... tremendously vicious and effective self defense weapon. Very easy to throw, wicked sharp, and the wow factor is huge. Sheath was crap, expected that through others reviews. Easy fix with a trip to the leather store. Just my two cents worth.

 - Friday, March 23, 2012
Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Josiah Bruns (Clarkston,  WA)
AMAZING TOMAHAWK!!!!!!!! Everything I ever wanted out of it! Throws, chops, and destroys everything you want it to! Just amazing!

 - Tuesday, March 13, 2012
m48 hawk axe tactical tomahawk

Reviewed By: chance (Chattanooga ,  TN)
When I got it I was amazed at the detail. I put a stone on a log and the tomahawk cut it right in half! When I threw it, it stuck right in the wood.

 - Sunday, March 04, 2012
M48 Tomahawk

Reviewed By: john hansen (jurupa Valley,  CA)
Without a doubt one of the best Hawks on the market, the video is right, nearly indestructible. I wasn't a huge tomahawk fan till I bought this hawk. Great Buy.

 - Tuesday, February 28, 2012
One Great Tomahawk

Reviewed By: James Hinton (Oxford,  AL)
I got my tomahawk today this is great tool. I got tired out chopping old pallet in my yard.This tomahawk went though it like was nothing. I will use this tool in my hunting, camping or hard to reach fishing spot I think this is a great buy I love it.

 - Sunday, February 05, 2012
m48 tatcical axe

Reviewed By: backflip (atlanta,  GA)
This a great and fun tool. The first day I got it I went out side and started throwing it, the thing was spot on. I must say I wasn't that accurate in the beginning, but with lots of training and the will to get better I can nail the bulls eye every time. The m48 tactical axe is a great tool to have if you love the outdoors, hunt, and to just take camping. I don't leave the house with out it. This axe takes down quarter sized trees with 1-2 chops; stays sharp and sharpens easy. The only problem with it is that one day I went and used it in the rain the next day there was rust in the corners. Besides that ,great and fantastic axe. You need to buy one today. In fact by 2 and give 1 to your son he will love it.

 - Wednesday, February 01, 2012
M48 Hawk

Reviewed By: Eli The Ninja  (New Yrok City ,  NY)
Some people were complaining how the handle broke because they were hurling it at dead trees. First off, this is a tomahawk not a throwing axe, STOP throwing it especially at hardwood. If used as a tool, properly that is, it can take a HUGE beating. I've had it for a year now and I take it for every single hunting and camping trip there is. This thing is a monster. It's greatly balanced, not too sharp (so that the edge doesn't chip), and after all this abuse only a little paint came off. Worth the bucks.

 - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
This axe right here...

Reviewed By: Shawn Venner (Montpelier,  VT)
I've never thrown axes until I stumbled upon this one. I was able to throw it with great precision soon after picking it up and with different throw techniques. It's solid, chops like no other, easy to sharpen and easy to throw! It's useful no matter where you go.

 - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
About This Product...

Reviewed By: TheCustomer (Hollis,  NH)
Even though I didn't buy this product from budk, I have to say that it's quality is incomparable. It holds up well to use, stays sharp, looks sexy, and is lightweight. Overall, whether you're using it for a survival pack, tomahawk, small breaching tool, room decoration, whatever. It's worth it.

 - Friday, January 20, 2012
Very well done

Reviewed By: Bill (CHICAGO,  IL)
This product and well done, its weight is very well balanced, sharp and his blade and its tip is infallible. Today I played several times in a tree and nailed all of them that it was a beauty. I cut some branches and also to my surprise I finished the job in no time. Thank Budk!

 - Saturday, January 07, 2012
M48 Hawk

Reviewed By: nathan.hammy@yahoo.com (dornsife,  AA)
This is the best axe/tomahawk I have ever owned. I saw this axe on budk one day I got on to look for throwing knives, but instead I saw this on the side of the site. I bought it and 7 days later it showed up. As soon as I got past the box I went to my backyard and started practicing my throwing with it, and then I found a tree to chop down. Need less to say the axe did wonders, within a couple heavy smacks the tree was in my fire place. BEST AXE EVER!! I plan to buy the new M48 with the tan color to it. I think adding yet another AMAZING axe to my collection would make me 10x happy. Thank you BUDK!!

 - Thursday, January 05, 2012
M48 hawk

Reviewed By: Jacob (Seguin Tx,  TX)
This thing is awesome, great sticks on both sides its sharp and accurate at a good price. I recommend it 100%.

 - Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Sharp!!!

Reviewed By: Matt (Quinnisec,  MI)
I just got my M48 and as soon as I took it out of the box I cut my finger. Out of the box this thing is razor sharp!

 - Saturday, December 31, 2011
United Cutlery M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Richard (Spring,  TX)
This this is BAD***, just got this yesterday and this Axe is very sexy and just straight up Intimidating. Don't think twice, you gotta buy this axe!!!! You wont regret it.!!!!!!!

 - Friday, December 30, 2011
m48 tomahawk

Reviewed By: knife collector (Bristol,  CT)
This item was amazing, I've been chopping huge branches and it still has its edge well spent money. Not my first purchase and not my last one either.

 - Sunday, December 11, 2011
m48 tomahawk

Reviewed By: josh (piedmont,  SC)
This axe was sharp enough to shave with right out of the box. Tt flies amazingly and its everything I was hoping it would be, and more. I just wish it had a hard case instead of the cloth nylon, otherwise this is a great buy. I will be taking mine on every tour of duty I ever serve.

 - Sunday, November 20, 2011
Freakin Epic!!!!

Reviewed By: Stick Dat Axe (Lancaster, CA,  CA)
This thing is amazing!! Weighted very well and throws like a champ. The handle seems nearly indestructible. Blade comes very sharp but dulls with use. Other than that it still manages to take massive chunks out of anything! This thing is devastating!

 - Friday, November 11, 2011
Love it

Reviewed By: Anthony Johnson (Apple valley,  CA)
OK, so I bought the m48 tomahawk a long while ago trust me this axe is a BEAST my only complaint is the grip is really slippery but I had an idea to use some hockey tape and ended up finding this tennis racket grip tape I bought it for like 4 bucks and OMG the grip is amazing makes this already deadly weapon that much more dangerous LOVE this axe.. sleep with it in my bed post next to my head every night..

 - Saturday, November 05, 2011
Home Demolition

Reviewed By: Rob (Spokane Valley,  WA)
First off, this thing looks B@D a$$. I ended up using this tool for a little home remodeling project. I had to take out cupboards, some sheet rock, and some plywood. This thing was in-valuable for those tasks. I ended the day of hard work with practice throwing it at an old door :)

 - Sunday, October 16, 2011
m48 hawk

Reviewed By: mike  (kalamazoo,  MI)
Great tomahawk! I love it doesn't always stick in a tree but takes massive chunks with every swing. Very light and maneuverable. Only drawback is I should've bought 2. Great grip, OK snap on sheath, and a sleek look so go get it.

 - Friday, October 14, 2011
M-48 HAWK AXE

Reviewed By: mark jinno (DALY CITY,  CA)
You will be amazed with the beauty of this item for it is totally balance and precise to its intentions. This is fully functional item, give it all the punishment you want but can surely stand to anything...throw it, hack it, or use it for chopping big logs or trees, you can surely depend on it. MY OVERALL RATING FOR THIS IS A TOTAL FIVE....GOOD WORK AND DESIGN UNITED CUTLERY....

 - Tuesday, October 04, 2011
M48 HAWK AXE

Reviewed By: Ryan Thurman (Indianapolis,  IN)
Another kick a** peace to add to my United Cutlery collection. If you are looking for something that wont break and will keeps it sharpness. You can never go wrong with United Cutlery.

 - Sunday, October 02, 2011
M48 Hawk

Reviewed By: pete taitano (san diego,  CA)
I LOVE THIS M48 IT STAYS PRETTY SHARP, AND IT'S VERY STRONG, I KEEP THIS WITH ALL MY OTHER QUALITY CAMPING AND SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT.

 - Wednesday, September 21, 2011
UNITED CUTLERY M48 HAWK AXE

Reviewed By: 10ZULU (Appleton,  WI)
This is one tough Hawk. Beautiful design and handling. Out of box, fifty throws, 47 stuck and it stayed sharp. It has a menacing hardcore look to it that is backed up with what seems to be great construction. At this price, I bought six and plan to buy more for good friends at Christmas.

 - Sunday, September 18, 2011
M48 Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Paul Thomas (Tulsa,  OK)
The coolest looking tomahawk ever and its affordable. Very impressed with the quality and functionality of a 40$ hawk. I can actually use it and not worry about breaking it. The spike is very fun to use.

 - Tuesday, September 13, 2011
United Cutlery M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: andrew clark (dubois,  PA)
This tomahawk is amazing buy it right now. Its perfect for camping or just throwing it in your back yard. The first thing I did was throw it into a tree in mine and it stuck first shot, but if u plan on doing that make sure u find yourself a tree with not so many knots in it, mine did and it bounced out and stuck in the ground next to the tree. (if your going to throw any thing always be safe and responsible). The head of the axe is as sharp as it needs to be. The spike on the back is insanely sharp and will puncture anything with ease. Buy this it is worth the 40 dollars.

 - Thursday, August 04, 2011
M48 Kommando tomahawk

Reviewed By: Deaths scythe (brazoria,  TX)
Amazing. I use it for throwing and it works perfect. (i expected no less) All I've let throw have liked it and are planning on buying some. Very durable handle and mean sharpened blade make a lethal weapon and the spike will stick in nearly anything. The only mistake your making by reading this is not being outside throwing it.

 - Monday, June 27, 2011
United Cutlery M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Jerry (St.Amant,  LA)
Just got my M48 Hawk, What a beast!!! Love it. Would recommend. Get one.

 - Saturday, May 28, 2011
extremely satisfied

Reviewed By: Gail Smith (Laramie,  WY)
This axe is absolutely phenomenal. The quality and durability of united cutlery products are top notch and this axe is no different. It has great hacking power and is actually a relatively decent thrower. The only complaint I would have for this is that I wish the edges were sharper (especially on the pick axe side), but otherwise I would say that this is an incredible buy, and I would strongly suggest buying it if you are looking for a durable as well as versatile weapon. Thank you budk for the great product and my extreme satisfaction.

 - Saturday, May 28, 2011
m48 tactical tomahawk

Reviewed By: mattk21 (northville ,  MI)
In my 10 years of throwing tomahawks, I've never thrown anything this great. It is very well designed and its durability is out of this world! I would recommend the M48 tactical hawk to anyone who enjoys the art of throwing, beginner or professional. Thank you BudK!!

 - Thursday, May 26, 2011
awesome

Reviewed By: cutguy (waupun,  WI)
This thing oozes toughness. How can anyone not like this thing? C'mon. This is one mean looking, tough, durable, sharp tool/weapon.You could do alot with this if it were your only survival tool you had along

 - Friday, May 13, 2011
great hawk!

Reviewed By: knifeguy303 (Albuquerque,  NM)
this is a fabulous product...I tested it on a variety of subjects, starting with some plant matter...a branch, and a yucca root...both were cut easily...then a soft foam wrapped in cardboard...and finally a piece of pork...all were cut and pierced with ease...then I tested the spike on an old, dead car stereo...and no damage occurred to the hawk...I am officially buying a second! perfect defense or camp axe...the spike is not sharpened along the edges, due to it's stabbing design...wonderful design

 - Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sweet

Reviewed By: John S. (Walton hills,  OH)
This thing is awesome. I sharpened the top of the spike because its pretty blunt, now it really kicks a$$! If your thinking of buying it...just do it, no regrets.

 - Sunday, May 01, 2011
Very impressed

Reviewed By: Ujiki (Bethlehem,  PA)
I am very impressed when i first pulled this hawk out of the box. As the pictures showed the spike looked sharp and thin and this worried me. However the spike had perfect thickness and had a slightly keen edge. Sharp edges on the spike make less versatile and durable as the spike is meant for impalement not slicing. Hawk is perfectly balanced and will make a great addition under my store counter next to my buddy Colt

 - Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Awesome

Reviewed By: Keith Cortes (Roseburg,  OR)
Well worth the money. Very happy with this purchase. Great quality, nice and sharp on both ends. Just a great product.

 - Saturday, February 19, 2011
AWESOME!!!

Reviewed By: Chris Gochanour (Springfield,  IL)
Aggressive and Impressive. Sharp, versatile balanced, and durable. Awesome buy, thank you Bud K and United Cutlery.

 - Wednesday, February 02, 2011
M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Jeff W (Massapequa,  NY)
Awesome. The picture does not do it justice. Good weight, and built solid. Liked the hawk so much I ordered the M48 Survivor & Dagger, which I got today & they deserve 5 stars as well. Thanks Bud K for the products,price & fast shipping.

 - Wednesday, February 02, 2011
M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Jeff W (Massapequa,  NY)
Awesome. The picture does not do it justice. Good weight, and built solid. Liked the hawk so much I ordered the M48 Survivor & Dagger, which I got today & they deserve 5 stars as well. Thanks Bud K for the products, price & fast shipping.

 - Wednesday, January 26, 2011
m48 hawk

Reviewed By: terry (anderson ,  IN)
just got the m48 hawk, when i open the box there was only one thing i could say, and that was, bad***! this tactical hawk out does anything i seen on the market, best design, best balance, best handling. if your looking for hawk for self defense this is the one. you don't want to be on the receiving of this hawk! Editor's Note: Thank you for your comments. We have updated the review to reflect the appropriate materials.

 - Monday, January 24, 2011
AWESOME!

Reviewed By: Jake (Springfield,  IL)
This hawk is Awesome, well worth the 35 bucks. Well made and very cool looking. It has a four inch cutting edge and a very pointy spike. I wouldn't take it camping because of its aus6 steel, but for combat or display along with the low price it gets five stars.

 - Saturday, January 22, 2011
Awesome defense tool!

Reviewed By: NYCprepper (Bronx,  NY)
Solid piece! Well designed and lightweight. Serves many different purposes from camping to yard work and personal defense. Definitely worth its weight on my bug out bag!

 - Thursday, January 20, 2011
HAWK

Reviewed By: ryno (south bend,  IN)
the hawk is a great buy. It's impressively sharp out of the box as well. In my opinion, this axe is a great buy worth every penny.

 - Thursday, January 20, 2011
Hefty

Reviewed By: Robby Rodriguez (Corpus Christi,  TX)
I was surprised at how beefy this hawk is! It looks thinner and sharper in the photo, but to my very pleasant surprise, it's nice and thick. The spike point is way better than I thought it would be, as it appeared very thin, sharp and maybe brittle in the picture. The spike is just about right in the girth department. Nice weight to the head to help deliver the necessary energy to get the job done. THIS ONE goes in my patrol bag for sure.

 - Thursday, May 10, 2012
M48 Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Chris Miller (Colonial Heights,  VA)
I bought this thing a couple months ago, and haven't thrown it yet, as I live in an apartment complex. It looks to be very strong though, however having read some of the lesser reviews I do have my concerns. It does not seem that sharp when you take it out. But if you think about it, you dont want an axe blade to be finely sharp, because, if you use it to chop anything, the blade could chip. This blade has sufficient thickness to prevent that, and I made the same mistake of thinking it was not sharp at all, ran my finger on it, and got a very fine paper cut in less then an inch. I give it four stars till I can actually throw it.

 - Sunday, April 01, 2012
Zombie Slaying

Reviewed By: Diecast24 (Albuquerque,  NM)
My tactical squadron loved this when I got it! The head itself performed beautifully. I was even able to pierce a bullet-proof military helmet with the spiked end. 4/5 because the thing finally broke. Be careful not to continue throwing it with all your might or you might end up with a useless axe head. I'm ready to get a second one though. Good job United Cutlery!

 - Thursday, March 15, 2012
United Cutlery M48 Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Jim N. (Hilliard,  OH)
I put this tool through some paces, and over all, I like it. It has sufficient heft and balance as to provide adequate penetration on many materials, but not so much so as to create difficulty in extraction. Admittedly, I haven't tried throwing it - I've read some complaints about the handles breaking when thrown - because I think there are very limited applications where throwing the tool would be useful. I was disappointed in the smooth handle construction. It is disturbingly bereft of any substantial grip texture. Should your hand get sweaty, or if the handle becomes fouled by Zombie juices, it could easily slip out of the hand. I found a quick application of Hockey Stick Tape yielded an exponential improvement in this issue. I also dislike the scabbard. Seems flimsy and I'd prefer a MOLLE attachment.

 - Friday, December 30, 2011
M48 hawk

Reviewed By: slicrt (seguin,  TX)
This thing is great it has good weight, sharp, great for outdoors great buy.

 - Friday, November 04, 2011
m48 HawkAxe Sheath

Reviewed By: Gr8ful (sherwood,  AA)
Ax kicks, but the sheath is dangerous. It allows the beard or front part of the ax to twist and hang out like a 1/4 or 1/8 of an inch. Now that don't sound bad but look at that beard and its as sharp as it looks. I had it mounted to a belt on left side and cut my thumb twice in the same night. The sheath needs work, but the axe is killer.

 - Tuesday, November 01, 2011
M48 Hawk Axe

Reviewed By: kaizerij (East Aurora,  NY)
Received this nice tomahawk just yesterday and when I opened it up, it had a very nice handle to fit my hand. Wanted to test it out but it was haha like 12:30 at night. So then just later that day...I tried it and uh...well...every d**n time I threw the thing...the spike would keep ending up into my target. I think I just need some more time on how to throw it correctly for the blade to sink into my target But other than that....I do love it. The sheath too on the other hand, isn't too great....I'd recommend making some kind of "quick release" type of deal if you're into the outdoors and whatnot. The quality of the tomahawk is exquisite...I do love how it looks and feels in the fitting on my hand. I would've gave this lovely little tool a 5 star rating except for the sheath..all in all, that's it...if you're looking into some type of a fun, compact, self-defense tool...you got it right here. The m48 delivers what ya need.

 - Tuesday, April 05, 2011
M48 Hawk

Reviewed By: John (Cleveland,  OH)
This is one sweet tomahawk. Beautiful and sharp right out of the box. Too bad on my second use with it the handle cracked right below where the metal from the head ends inside the handle. Still have not received any word on if I can just purchase a new handle, or get a refund, or anything. Its been 2 weeks and still no word. I actually give the hawk 4 stars and sadly 1 star for the BudK customer service people.

 - Friday, January 21, 2011
United M48 Hawk Axe With Nylon Sheath

Reviewed By: DAVID BIER (GROTON,  CT)
I got this today and it's quite nice. A sturdy, well made version of the famous Roger's Rangers hawks. I did dress the bit edge a little but not much - I just like them sharper than most do. The weight and balance are great - but that's why we buy tomahawks, isn't it? Be aware that the spike is not "sharpened on both edges" at all. It is ground on both edges, but both the top and bottom of the spike have flat edges over 1/32 of an inch wide. As I'm not planning any close combat fighting with it, that's not an issue to me - but if it is to you, be prepared to put this hawk on the grinder for a while, and to finish dressing up the edge after. (For my purposes the spike was what was important.) The sheath opens at the bottom - I don't really like that, but it doesn't mean anything negative about the product. (Design maybe, but not the product.) I'll be making a replacement sheath more to my liking.

 - Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The PACTICAL Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Navajas (Rottenwood,  AZ)
The M48 is just a thing of visceral/primal beauty out of the box, Great heft on the head and the fiberglass shaft feels great in your grasp, the shaft wasn't too blunt and stubby like ones from others. I hacked on some 2 3/4 branches and it did the job but not as good as a Swedish Axe, but for a tomahawk, I was merely christening it. I also had the cheap hatchet, the one on this site for 8.99 and used it on the cut down branches and it busted the handle in two! The only complaint is that I feel it could have come a little more sharper to match it's visual aesthetic. But aside from that easily curable symptom, It has more quality features than alot of the so called "Tomahawks" featured on this site. It seems that United Cutlery is the only way to go with edged weapons. This should be in every tomahawker's fist. This is the only PRACTICAL tomahawk that I have found worth mentioning.

 - Thursday, April 19, 2012
Decent but by no means great

Reviewed By: Don Sponsler (Mount Shasta,  CA)
I bought this M48 Tomahawk back in April of 2011 so I have had it for a year now... I have yet to break the handle but after reading a years worth of reviews I see that it does happen, and can easily see how. When I bought mine the first adds were claiming that the blade was made of "Forged" steel but that was clearly a typo as now the adds clearly and accurately state that it is "Cast". The sheath is garbage and some of the securing snaps have pulled through the cheap nylon. For the $35.00 I guess its worth it but would not buy again.

 - Sunday, March 25, 2012
M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Connor Emmett  (Joliet, IL,  IL)
A very nice hawk. Throws nicely and is weighted so that it sticks about 80% of the time. Only problem is my (INDESTRUCTIBLE) handle snapped right off of the head. The head was lodged in the target it hit and the handle went flying. Overall nice hawk, but if you are serious about this weapon and you are trusting it with your life, don't buy this weapon, it WILL fail you in your time of need.

 - Saturday, February 04, 2012
M48

Reviewed By: zeb detweiler (cannon falls,  MN)
Okay first of all this thing can really back up its name but there is some things that are not the best. I just broke my second one ten minutes ago and NO it was not a dead tree but I was still throwing it and not hard so overall they could make some improvements to the middle core. You can tell that some fibers were not carefully combined and that is not safe.

 - Thursday, January 19, 2012
M48 Hawk Axe Broke

Reviewed By: Stephen (Phoenix,  AZ)
Bought this in October of 2011 for my son's birthday. He's a beginner at throwing so he certainly missed sticking it often, but for a "Virtually Indestructible" product I wouldn't think that the handle would break so quickly. It broke at the first bolt where the metal blade is inserted into the nylon handle. Guess I should have bought a cheaper one for a beginner.

 - Thursday, September 01, 2011
M48 Hawk Axe Tactical Tomahawk

Reviewed By: Cousin Virgil (phoenix,  AZ)
Very wicked looking. Unfortunately after I threw it a few times it broke at the handle. Too bad. I liked it a lot.

 - Monday, December 26, 2011
m48 hawk

Reviewed By: wolfram (sedalia,  MO)
I had one of these and as far as I am concerned it was not worth the box it came in.....the first time I used it it was fun and the second time I threw it the handle broke off right where the tang stops and the plastic handle begins.....I'm not new with a hawk and have a great collection of arms and armor. I consider saying a weapon in indestructible means u cant break when its brand new....I'm not Chuck Norris so I don't think I threw it so hard I broke the sound barrier so its not like it was users err.

 - Wednesday, December 07, 2011
M48 tomahawk

Reviewed By: John (Ravenna,  MI)
The m48 is a nice looking tomahawk BUT, is cheaply made... Anyone planing to use this as an actual tool should shy away from this product. Within 2 hrs of abuse I broke the spike clean off. "it's still in the tree I threw this hawk at" and blew apart the handle chopping into a 4-5" branch of dead wood (maple). Simply put, it's a great item for looking at and that's about it.