Product Review: Cold Steel Norse Hawk

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Cold Steel Norse Hawk

Cold Steel are world renowned for their great value, excellent quality knives, axes and machetes.  The motto they use is ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ and the Norse Hawk encapsulates this perfectly.

The Vikings left a lasting legacy, having ranged as far north as Russia and as far east as Constantinople. Their influence can be felt all across the continent from the proliferation of Nordic surnames to the vast trading networks they established.

One of the things that made them so powerful and influential, apart from their fearless warrior skills, was their weaponry. The ‘Viking’ axe with it’s familiar shape was an essential tool in their raiding and settling of towns and cities all across Europe and Scandinavia.

Original viking axe head
An original Viking axe head.

The axe design they used was simple but incredibly effective. It had a curved cutting edge which terminated in two sharp points.

The lower point was designed to be used as a ‘hook’, perfect for the Viking fighting style. The hook would pull away an opponent’s shield, or capture a limb, enabling the warrior to dispatch them more effectively and efficiently.

However, it wasn’t simply designed for combat, it was also an all-round tool for felling, snedding, construction, crafting, preparing food, hunting and more. It was their constant companion – a Vikings EDC if you will.

The axe was such an amazing all-rounder that it helped cement the Vikings legacy over 1200 years later.

Th Cold Steel Norse Hawk

Let us take a close look at the Cold Steel Norse Hawk in more detail. First, let’s take a look at the specs.

The axe head has a wide curved belly measuring approximately 4″ and is made from heavy duty 1055 carbon steel. The head is black, except for the exposed edge.

Cold Steel Norse Hawk axe head

The handle is a sturdy affair made from American Hickory, a traditional axed handle material, famed for its strength and flexibility. Hickory is able to withstand the shocks associated with axe usage without splitting or cracking.

The total length of the axe is 22″ and it weighs approximately 25oz. This is ideal for an axe – it isn’t so big and heavy that it becomes unwieldy, but it is long and strong enough to tackle the jobs you need it to perform. It can be used with one hand for finer work if needed or used two handed for those heavier tasks.

On the back of the blade, an easily accessible grub screw holds the head firmly in place and facilitates the swapping of handles if needed.

Cold Steel Norse Hawk detail

The balance and configuration of the Cold Steel Norse Hawk make it ideal for recreation too – the two sharp terminating points on the blade make it a favourite for axe throwing.

In the hand, the Cold Steel Norse Hawk feels comfortable to hold. The handle is smooth and just the right size to use comfortably, there would be no danger of splinters with the way it is finished so smoothly.

Cold Steel Norse Hawk in the hand

Holding the axe lower down the handle makes you understand why it is a favourite for throwing – the feeling of balance and momentum is perfect – it’s as if the axe wants to throw itself!

 

When you hold the handle closer to the blade, you get the impression it’d be great for closer work too. The axe head is not too heavy at all and you could certainly use it for cutting and slicing.

When held in two hands it would be ideal for heavier jobs like feeling a small tree or preparing wood for camp.

Out of the box, the axe has a good ‘utility’ edge, but it is not razor sharp.

We would definitely recommend giving this the once over with a ‘puck‘ or similar – not to make it razor sharp but to make it more effective as a cutting tool.

Take a look at this post which will help you improve the edge of heavy blades such as machetes and axes.

Learning to maintain the blade on your axe should be an essential task – look after the blade and it will look after you.

Basic maintenance is really not that difficult or time consuming and should definitely become part of your preparation routine.

Once you’ve finished giving the Cold Steel Norse Hawk a sharper edge, it’ll be ready to tackle those bigger jobs that a knife just can’t handle.


This is an excellent all rounder – whether it’s chopping, slicing, felling or having a bit of fun with target throwing – and it is stunningly good value.

Please note that the Cold Steel Norse Hawk doesn’t come supplied with a sheath. However, you can purchase a high quality cordura sheath for £5.95.