i have been looking at the gerber gator II hatchet. the one with the saw blade in the handle. anyone have one of these? what do you think? how does it compare in quality with a friskar's?

I have the really short version with the knife instead of a saw. It's a pretty cool little rig, and I'm pretty sure they're identical to a fiskars as they are the same company.
The only downside is, I would never carry it handle down, and thus can't make use of the belt sheath as I don't trust the magnet holding the knife in to not drop it out on the trail at some point.
Also I don't really like the grind and it didn't come remotely sharp... I think I'm going to save up for a Gransfors.

Fiskars and Gerber are one and the same for axes. I've used the Gerber camp axe for years. Haven't tried the smaller one.

does anyone own one of those SOG vietnam style hawks?

Yes, I do. I own just about everything that SOG makes. I really like most of their fixed blade knives and even though they have contracted out the manufature of most of them they are still made to excellent standards. Now, with that being said, the "Fusion" series products that they sell leave a lot to be desired. The throwing knives are kind of cool, and the Vietnam style Hawk is pretty neat looking and feels good in the hand. The down side is that they are very spotty on quality. Some of them break the first time they hit something, and I have a couple of the Hawks they have taken a fairly good beating with no issues. The ones that I have that have held up have been from the latest manufatured bunch, so if you get one I would suggest trying to find out when the Hawk you're buying was made.

Some of the Fusion products...

www.americantomahawk.com

if you want high performance tactical tomahawks, ATC is the only way to go. the Crash Axe is heavy duty bc its SR77 but is terribly UN-tactical in regards to weight, and carry, primarily.

I have used an Estwing camper model for several years and have had no problems. It's pretty affordable and has seen some pretty heavy duty.

If you are wanting an excellent performing hatchet but don't want to spend big money do yourself a favor and look at the Wetterlings line. They are only about a half a step down from Granfors bruks but they cost much less. It is also very hard to beat the Fiskars axes in the "bang for the buck" category.

When it comes to the tactical dealios, get in touch with Justin Gingrich . His entry tools are without equal in real world environments in my opinion, and I have actually used them for what they were designed to do. They work, and they work well!

i dont think wiggity is lookinf for a tactical hawk like an ATC.he wants something that can cut wood i'm guessing.

i have the gerber hatchet with the saw in the handle.i never owned a fiskers so i cant compare the too.i thought they where the same company really.

all the gerber hatchets are good and tough.i think i remember a problem with the saw coming out of the handle with repeated chopping blows.there only held in place with a tiny magnet smaller than a pea.eventually gravity mixed with the vibrations from all the strikes/blows will have it come loose and fall out.

as far as tactical pieces are concerned the ATC V-TAC is alright.its worth the money.i wish the head wasnt as long though.it really screws up the balance,when it strikes something it wants to cant left or right.

i like RMJ forge better but they cost 4 times as much.

the CA is a bit heavy but that heaviness lends to some serious beastly power.the CA is also a bit hard to hold onto with its thin,strait handle.it never fattens up anywhere along the handle.

i love my CA and of all the tactical hawks it is the only one that can really cut wood as well.

As has been said, Fiskars owns Gerber. I love mine, they're great quality, and take a sharp edge that stays sharp. Besides these, I also have a Fiskars folding saw, and a Pukko, and I like them all.

This is mine. It keeps a decent edge and sharpens up nicely.
The only problem that I've had with it, is that I hit a rock with it and
chipped the top corner of the blade. But you know, that's ok, cause it only
cost me $9.00

$9??? You should have bought $100 worth of them!