REVIEW – In the Pacific Northwest having an axe or tomahawk is almost a requirement to live here. Everyone is always outdoors and you never know if you’re going to run into a Sasquatch or a fallen tree which are both very likely. Let’s see if the 5.11 Tactical CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk is up to either task.
What is it?
The 5.11 CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk is a hand axe that was designed by Justin Gingrich, a Special Forces veteran, exclusively for 5.11. He has been designing hard-use knives and tomahawks for over two decades. The 5.11 CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk features a full tang heat-treated steel blade with a spike head. It comes with a MOLLE attachable hard sheath and removable fiberglass reinforced nylon scales so you can wrap the handle in paracord if you so choose.
What’s in the box?
- 5.11 Tactical CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk
- Sheath
Hardware specs
- Blade Material: SCM 435 steel w/ black electro coat finish
- Handle Material: Fiberglass reinforced nylon scales (removable)
- Blade: 4.15″ blade for chopping, digging
- Head length: 6.5”
- Overall length: 14”
- Blade Width: 0.27”
- Weight: 1 lb 12.2 oz
- Sheath: Nylon, 4 position belt/MOLLE clip with 3” capacity
Design and features
The 5.11 CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk is designed for abuse. At 0.27 inches thick and weighing 1 lb 12.2 oz the CFA Peacemaker’s 4.15” blade is designed for chopping and digging. The spike comes in handy for splitting wood or breaking up hard materials. At 14” long it swings very similar to a hammer and feels quite balanced.
Performance
The 5.11 CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk made quick work of stripping bark off a few logs I had. Due to the constant rain, they were all pretty waterlogged so the thick blade had issues penetrating the wet wood. I did have better performance on some dry wood I had in the garage. The spike made moving the logs around easier and the pummel tip came in handy for nudging them in place.
The sheath attaches securely to any MOLLE attachments and the retention clip is very secure. The button is directional so you have to pull up on the top part for it to unclip and then press the lower part first to reattach it. Overall a neat design and once you get used to the process it is very quick and easy to operate and not likely to unclip accidentally.
I convinced my wife to let me use it to prepare dinner and the CFA Peacemaker made light work of carrots and chopping up some bone-in thighs for a chicken stew acting as a meat cleaver so it’ll come in handy when making camp meals.
What I like
- Well balanced
- Super beefy
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
If you need a tomahawk/axe for heavy field use this is the one for you. I didn’t encounter any Sasquatch, probably because they spend the winter in Texas but for yard cleanup and chopping some dry firewood, the CFA Peacemaker was more than capable. The 5.11 CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk will definitely be in my bag during future camping trips and I’ll leave it in the car for emergencies.
Price: $150.00
Where to buy: 5.11 Tactical website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by 5.11 Tactical.
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
The ubiquitous term “tactical” for tools, clothing, wallets etc. is an insult to those for whom tactical is essential, not just a catch word. If you’re not special forces or swat, just a tattooed, bearded, shop or office worker out for the weekend don’t delude yourself. And trust me, the big boys don’t use Chinese made knives and hatchets from 5.11 EVER.