For a craftsman, as such, is commendable, not for the will with which he does a work, but for the quality of the work.” – St. “Art is nothing else but ‘the right reason about certain works to be made.’ And yet the good of these things depends, not on man’s appetitive faculty being affected in this or that way, but on the goodness of the work done. I’m as must of a knife dork as the next guy, and while I love toys from Strider Knives, Emerson Knives and RJ Martin, I can honestly say that the Sayoc Winkler RnD Hawk, along with the blades from Sayoc and Atienza are as beautiful as they are functional works of art. Most recently, Tuhon Raf’s creation was featured on The Discovery Channel’s “Lone Target” starring Sayoc and Atienza friend Joel Lambert. They had included demonstrations of the hawk penetrating car hoods, Class III body armor and the like. There have been several testing videos over the years, and I wish I had archived them on my own hard drive because most of them are no longer online. Recently, this was tested on a Cold Steel Buckler with undoubted results. The front spike is one of the most characteristic features of the Sayoc Winkler hawk, intended for piercing insertions when swung. The front end has a deep bottom hook used to pull and tear, as well as extend the primary cutting edge. The head of the axe has an acute but unsharped back spike that has obvious penetrating abilities but can also serve a utility function, although make no mistake this instrument was designed and created as a weapon first and foremost. The full tang also creates an unbreakable spine that can not only withstand harsh use, but deliver massive impact in various configurations. While made to fill the palm, the actual shape references firearm grips very familiar to military, law enforcement and practiced firearms users. The Sayoc Winkler RnD Tomahawk has, in this full size version three explicit grip positions at the bottom, middle and right under the head that allow secure control and positive tactile recognition of where the hawk is gripped. They make exceptional blades because they are experts in knife fighting. Tuhon Rafael Kayanan, Tuhon Tom Kier, Tuhon Carl Atienza, Tuhon Ray Dionaldo and Guro Harley Elmore are some of the few knifemakers who actually use them. This real world input informs the custom designed and fabricated weapons that the Sayoc Global organization, as well as Atienza Kali and blades from Tuhon Ray Dionaldo have produced for decades. And while we typically don’t think of combat with these professions, chefs, butchers and fishermen are some of the most proficient people in the world with blades. They use them hours on end, cutting flesh, bone and cartilage through bloody, hot and slippery conditions. Chefs around the world throughout history have contributed to what works and what doesn’t in the kitchen. Some of the best ergo’s on knives are kitchen knives, and for good reason. The ergonomics of any blade design can really give you some insight to what it is for, who designed it and for what purpose. Knifemaker RJ Martin once told me, a well made knife should feel like it makes you want to cut something, and it has stuck with me ever since. Several years ago at Pamana Tuhon Sayoc‘s house, I had the privilege to see Tuhon Rafael Kayanan‘s tomahawk that he had designed, and that was going to be produced by Master Bladesmith Daniel Winkler. Thomas Aquinas – “the right making of a thing to be made.” He is a true gentleman and a pleasure to speak with.Art, as defined by St. Winkler's web page and see the various hawks and knives offered. For a dedicated fighting weapon, spike up front and spike out back. They are very different, each intended for a specific purpose, the sayocs are pure fighting hawks but the combat axe is a duel fighting breaching axe. That way I could use it as a weapon or outdoor tool as situations dictated. The one on the left is the Sayoc Winkler hawk, the one in the middle is the Sayoc Winkler baby hawk and the last one is the Winkler combat axe. Personally, if I could have only one Winkler, I would go with the standard front edge and hammer poll. but it is also functional in a non-weapon capacity for hammering stakes, etc. The hammer poll is also an effective feature as a blunt force impact device. it will go through Kevlar, sheet metal, etc. ![]() For a hawk to be used exclusively as a fighting weapon, the spike poll is devastatingly effective. The spike or hammer poll is a personal preference. It serves no purpose for woodcraft work, and actually takes away a small section of your chopping edge. ![]() Think of it as a razor sharp tooth that will pierce, rip, shred, and cause serious damage. The front spike is primarily a feature for self defense/attacking and is nasty. I have owned two Winkler hawks, and though quite expensive, they were both functional works of art.
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