Review: RMJ Tactical Tomahawks Shrike S13 (pic Heavy)

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  • troy28

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    16   0   0
    May 21, 2010
    270
    18
    Behind the crosshairs
    This review is in regards to RMJ Tactical and a Shrike S13 I have purchased from them. I am no expert and this is all JMHO.

    If you are not familiar with RMJ Tactical below is the link to their web site and 2 videos that got me the most interested in their product and company.

    RMJTACTICAL.COM


    Modern Marvels
    YouTube - RMJ Tactical on Modern Marvels

    Their personal demo with the Eagle Talon
    YouTube - Ryan Johnson demonstrates the Eagle Talon tactical tomahawk


    I believe RMJ is a family owned and run business. They contract out other companies to perform the hammer forge of the Tomahawks. I spoke with them a few times regarding what model was best for me along with ordering the model. Every time I spoke with them they provided great Customer Service. They seemed to know their product very well and willing to spend as much time with you as needed.

    Below is the Tomahawk I purchased. It is a Shrike head but has a shorter handle and known as the S13

    The handle offers electrical insulation of at least 1500 Volts. It came with a Kydex Scabbard with belt loop hooks (pictured below).

    CIMG0132.jpg


    You will see the spike in the back is sharpened to a point. This is supposed to be able to go through a helmet. You will also see the hook at the bottom of the head is also sharpened on the inside.

    CIMG0133.jpg


    CIMG0134.jpg


    CIMG0135.jpg


    CIMG0138.jpg


    I was impressed with the thickness of the tomahawk.



    CIMG0142.jpg

    CIMG0143.jpg

    The handle is textured and hard plastic. The handle can purchased in Black or in tan. There is also a screw on cap on the bottom of the handle. It is supposed to carry a sharpening stone but, they were temporarily out of stones and already informed me they would ship it for free as soon as it arrives.

    The spike on the cap provides another good striking point. However, I am kind of disappointed in the cap for this model. Being a striking point I would have thought the inside of the handle would have been threaded in the steel. The threads in the handle are actually just cut into the hard rubber handle. The hard rubber handle does seem sturdy and perhaps this has something to do the electrical insulation. For the way the rest of this is built I would have thought it would be threaded into the rest of the tomahawk.

    CIMG0140.jpg

    CIMG0139.jpg


    There are other carry options available this is the Kydex Scabbard included. It is very sturdy and holds the tomahawk tight enough that you wouldn't necessarily need to use the buckle to keep in the Scabbard but, it's nice the buckle is there.
    CIMG0144.jpg

    CIMG0145.jpg



    The overall hawk with scabbard weighs in at ~1lbs 10oz. I wish I could provide actual information regarding using this in the field. Unfortunately, I can not because I have decided to return mine. After looking at it and handling it I would easily believe it will perform all the function demoed in the second Youtube video at the top.

    There are a couple factors as to why I am returning mine. Some of the down sides to RMJ is the typical lead time 3 -4 months. Unless, you get lucky and they are in stock. The other down side is their price. If you are going to use this in the field strictly as a Tomahawk to be abused it should be great for you!! I was going to use it more for camping but, thought it just looked B.A.. I do understand what a hammer forged finish looks like. But, for $400 I just had a picture in my mind that the head was going to be a little larger and all the lines and their logo was going to be a lot cleaner looking. If they make a more cost effective one down the road I would probably buy that one.

    ****Just to be clear**** I think RMJ is very customer service oriented company and their products are a rugged, built to be abused, and quality product. It just didn't fit my pocket book and personal need this time but, I will continue to watch what they make next.

    All this is JMO!
     
    Last edited:

    troy28

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    16   0   0
    May 21, 2010
    270
    18
    Behind the crosshairs
    Just curious, what about the hawk originally said "camp tool" to you?

    Short of SHTF situations there is no reason I would ever utilize all the capabilities of this hawk. I liked it for camping for two reasons. 1. If it will can open a car door I'm sure it will perform all the functions of what I use a hatchet for when camping. 2. It does make a great weapon to have on hand. There are more younger kids around now when we go camping. It is not always the safest conditions for a firearm to be present.

    That is how I justified it to myself when I purchased it. I am a big fan of quality and capability regardless of if my personal life will really ever need all that functionality. If it is the best 10lb sledge hammer on the market and all I will ever use it on is penny nails. I will probably still buy the 10lb sledge. This is just one situation I can not keep it but, thought it was still impressive and wanted to share that information with others that may truly need a hawk at this level.
     

    Pale Rider

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    43   0   0
    Apr 12, 2009
    965
    16
    Too Close to Home
    1. If it will can open a car door I'm sure it will perform all the functions of what I use a hatchet for when camping.


    This is what i was wondering about. I love your pics and review, and understand your feeling in regards to sending it back. But I think there is a common miss conception about "hatcets/camp axes" vs "hawks." There is a vast difference in form, function and design.

    Camp Tasks
    Chopping Wood (limbs from trees) - Hatchet
    Batoning (splitting wood) - Hatchet
    Hammering Stakes - Hatchet

    Combat Tasks
    Shredding Car Door - Tomahawk
    Bunching Hole in Enemy Helmet - Tomahawk
    Throwing at enemy - Tomahawk

    I'm not saying each isn't more multi purpose than the lists above show. But in general terms, and in my limited experience, tomahawks are great combat tools, but around a camp site they suck compared to a good hatchet/camp axe. Not busting your balls either, just trying to help educate others that the two tools are very different and are engineered to do accomplish different tasks. I'm sure someone will pipe in with more knowledge than I on this as well, but thank you for you review these are the best pics I've found of this hawk and I think your purchase can be a lesson to others! Good luck in your search for the tool you need!
     

    grunt soldier

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    71   0   0
    May 20, 2009
    4,910
    48
    hamilton county
    rmj's are awesome. i rocked one over in afghanistan for my tour but a buddy staying behind wanted to hold on to it and bought it. as far as we know its still making rounds over there :) mistwalker on bladeforums did a big review on these also as camp tools and its very versatile. it chops wood better than a knife and works well out in the woods for all around tasks. they are very expensive but worth it imo. i will have another one hopefully one of these days.

    as to what your looking for as far as camp goes this is probably the best gransfors bruks or another one of there models like the hunter. or you can go for the wetterlings

    Amazon.com: Small Forest Axe: Home Improvement
    goods&qid=1292794564&sr=8-2

    or this. also made in sweeden and very nice but more wallet friendly


    Wetterlings Large Hunting "Bushcraft" Ax - Bushcraft Northwest
     

    dom1104

    Shooter
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Mar 23, 2010
    3,127
    36
    Slice a tomato lol.

    I could not bring myself to ever buy something like this.

    I would feel like a grade A dork taking something like that camping.

    Not to mention a 70 dollar high quality hand axe would do the job 10x better.
     
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