Domari Nolo Defense Consulting (DNDC) recently partnered with Iron Hammer Armory (IHA) to build something a little different than the "tactical tomahawks" available elsewhere. Both companies are a part of the American Centurion Network. While some of those are very rugged and useful pieces of kit, the Rogers Hatchet purports to be nothing more than what it is - a basic utility tool.
Smaller than most tomahawks, it is manufactured of 1095 steel using advanced metallurgy techniques. The Rogers Hatchet is hardened with a proprietary process and parkerized. Parkerization, or phosphatizion, increases a tool or firearm's corrosion resistance and resistance to wear. Edit: as of last month Iron Hammer Armory began using DuraCoat in place of parkerization. Their tests showed (and field evals comfirmed) that the DuraCoat, properly applied, held up better to abuse than the parkerized coat. This had the added benefit of allowing them to offer custom color option and superior engraving possibilities.
The Rogers Hatchet draws its name from the Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers fame. Rogers Standing Orders, as you may recall, specifically mention a hatchet (rules #2 and #19). It has a 2″ cutting surface, and measures 8 3/4″ long. The head is 3 3/8″ long, and it is 1/4″ thick. Domari Nolo describes it as an “heirloom quality” tool, and I think that's probably an accurate statement.
Iron Hammer Armory is run by Martin Solymossy, a former Marine active with the Boy Scouts of America. He is an old-school blacksmith who comes from a long line of metal workers.
IHA is the place that does the metallurgy and builds receivers for Snake Hound Machine (SHM). The Rogers Hatchet had its genesis at the Shoot Heard Round the World. Says DNDC's Chris Bianchi about meeting Solymossy, "Martin...is an old-school blacksmith from a long line of metal-working folk. He's got books, and reference manuals and documentation of methods and means of hardening metal, metallurgy, and metal working. It just makes sense that his company is named Iron Hammer."
The Rogers Hatchet was born of a large batch of 1095 blanks that Solymossy had intended to make into hatchets for the local BSA. Unfortunately, bureaucracy intervened and the BSA could not accept the hatchets. Solymossy proposed the two companies (DNDC and IHA) use the blanks and work together.
"He posted the now-infamous video of 'prototype number 6'," recalls Bianchi. "It was an unengraved model with no thumb knurl on the rear of the tang....he sliced paper, proceeded to chop a little bit of two by four, then began carving a brick...I was pretty impressed at this point. Martin was not only receptive and communicative during the development process, he also assisted me with all things metal."
Prototype number 6 went off with an ODA for some field trials and they developed number 7. The companies were originally going to sell the Rogers Hatchet at $75 each but ultimately decided on $50 in order to "...encourage Americans to buy American made goods, and to expect a quality, long lasting tool at a great price."
You can purchase a Rogers Hatchet online, and can get it custom-engraved if you'd like. Paracord choices for the handle include green, coyote, neon orange or black paracord. With the new DuraCoat finish a customer can have subdued engraving (paint after engraving) or "stand out" engraving (paint prior to engraving).
I do not currently have a Rogers Hatchet in hand, nor do I know that I could abuse it sufficiently to really provide a comprehensive evaluation. If that changes, or if I arrange to have one pushed out to someone else, I will advise.
