Cold SteelViking Battle Axe

If you can hang an ax, you already have what you need to bring this tough-as-nails powerhouse to life.However, before the review, I would first like to address a common (and somewhat frustrating) gripe that I've been seeing about this item and it's Cold Steel sisters over and over and over. And that gripe is this:"THIS AX SAYS AMERICAN TOMAHAWK COMPANY AND IT HAS TIAWAN STAMPED ON IT!!! SO HOW IS IT AMERICAN?! COLD STEEL DIDNT MAKE THIS! THEY TRICKED ME!!!"The answer to this review-muddling mystery is that the original "American Tomahawk Company" went out of business some time ago, and no longer exists as it's own company in the normal sense. The name, however, was was purchased by Cold Steel, and now exists as something of a sister-company.The nerve-striking American Tomahawk Company stickers we are seeing on these tomahawks and axes are, unfortunately, is a clever marketing ploy which allows Cold Steel to advertise an "American" product while still outsourcing their manufacturing to Tiawan.In short,American Tomahawk Company = Cold SteelTHE REVIEW:Though it can't be denied that Cold Steel and it's founders are (at best) an organization of questionable moral aptitude, it also can't be denied that they make exceptional cutting tools. This is especially so with their axes and tomahawks.However, this is a textbook case of "you get what you pay for". Ranging from $30 to $60+, these hand tools are extremely hard to beat for their price points. The drawback for such affordability? Though they're marketed as "combat ready", it's allong the same concept as how a brick or large rock is "combat ready"; if you swing it and make contact, the person on the hard end of it might not be too worried about details of craftsmanship or quality control.Realistically, after you chop through all of the marketing and whatnot, these are project pieces.This ax is to be considered roughly-refined stock consisting of high-quality materials that require basic craftsmanship to bring out it's true beauty and potential.It comes sharp-ish, the handle will be machine-pressed into the eye, resulting in the curled shavings I like to call "eyelashes", there will be an annoying set screw involved, and there's a chance you might get poor grain orientation, or a warped handle.But the ax head IS top-notch steel, despite being produced in Taiwan (which is very high quality steel compared to "cheap Chinese crap", another issue I could address all together). And the handle IS high-quality, well-cured hickory.If you want a ready-for-battle, true-to-the-lumberjack, razor-sharp, instantly-perfect ax, then you're in luck, all you need is $160-$250. If you want all of that in a $40-$50 price range, please, please tell me if you find it. Because this is not that item.This item is for the person who is either willing/able to bond with a new companion through some TLC and a little know-how, or who is willing/able to have it done for them.

Great axe, sharpens up very well. I hate lacquered handles, so I stripped it and used linseed oil on it and it is way more legit. I have used it to harvest turkeys on the farm and it performed flawlessly. I could have done the same with a heavy knife, but this way they can gobble their way through the halls of Valhalla. The axe head is retained by a large set screw and the haft taper so it should never come loose or fly off.This axe is not a good camp axe or working axe, it is very light and thin and meant for meat or similar targets. Using it on wood would be similar to using a machete to chop down a tree, it simply lacks the weight to cut through logs with a diameter larger than 3"-4". It is a well built novelty axe that looks pretty good once you get the finish and "Taiwan" stamp off of it. If you are buying it to cut stuff up for fun in your back yard or display it with your viking shield, then its a great buy.If you need a non firearm for personal protection from home invaders this would certainly do the job... as an added bonus, you'd be in the news: "homeowner slays burglar with a viking axe!!!" (please don't actually hit other humans with this axe)

First, shipping was crazy fast. I purchased this axe on a Saturday and it was on my doorstep Tuesday morning. Everything was well packaged and protected so I have no issues there. My one word to anyone wanting to order this and assemble it ( yes assembly is required but I knew this already) and get there inner Ragnar on, The handle pole is so thickly protected with a thick lacquer that the axe head will not even go a good six inches up the handle upon initial assembly attempt just to see how this thing is going to look. I have already prepared to sand the pole so this is no great issue with me. About the handle, they did send my a wonderfully beautiful piece of hickory that has a beautiful grain pattern and is straight and solid. I am very pleased with it and cannot wait to get it sanded to see the wood without the varnish. This handle is SOLID! You could use this thing for a short defensive staff all on it's own if you so wished. I must find out if cold steel sells extra handles. I have not found them for sale online anywhere. The head is nice and seems to be well polished. The grain pattern of the steel is uniform. My complaints with the head are few. It is dull to the point where I can safely run my finger across the edge without fear of being cut. The angle of the edge is very steep and does not seem an appropriate edge for a weapon designed for cutting flesh . This is a weapon not a wood cutters axe and I will re profile the edge as I can as this is a large edge to deal with and I have to work out the logistics of it. I am not the greatest of free handed sharpeners. The horn designed for stabbing is non existent. Just not there. A rounded place where the sharp point is supposed to be. I will also have to find a way to bring back the sharp horn to this axe. This axe will take some minor work to get it where it should be, but for the price, it is well worth the time. I am in no hurry as Lindisfarne was raided long ago and I can take my time and get this right. It is absolutely worth the price I paid for it and I would order it again at this price. Besides, isn't a little time and effort in making the axe personally your what it is all about? STILL if anyone knows where they are selling extra handles for this PLEASE let me know!!