CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk by 5.11 Tactical

Tomahawks appear throughout history from the colonial era to the modern battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. American popular culture depicts the use of tomahawks in movies like The Patriot and The Last of the Mohicans. However, the average person likely doesn’t realize the robust versatility of the tomahawk. A tool used for camping or a valuable part of a vehicle’s self-recovery kit. 5.11 Tactical’s CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk is no exception.

“The CFA Peacemaker, designed by Special Forces veteran and tactical tomahawk pioneer Justin Gingrich exclusively for 5.11″~511tactical.com

First off, the CFA Peacemaker is a well-designed tool that offers several capabilities. Capabilities that include; cutting small pieces of wood, digging in outdoor situations, or puncturing hard materials in tactical situations. In a pinch, the Peacemaker can be used to prepare food for your next camp meal. The body of the Peacemaker is comprised of a skeletonized full tang steel design serving two purposes. The first purpose is to provide the user with a durable tool. One that will not suffer structural damage from hard use. Additionally, the skeletonized design helps lighten the tool’s weight and saves one’s energy during continuous use.

5.11’s new take on a weapon that has stood the test of time

At the Peacemaker’s head, you will find a 4” curved blade. As shown in a previous picture, the blade can sink into and remain in a wooden target without fear of falling out. For simple wood cutting, the Peacemaker’s blade did an outstanding job cutting a V-shaped notch into the firewood. The 4” blade is wide enough to dig a small shallow hole if an improvised digging tool is required. However, I would only recommend this in an emergency and not on a regular basis. As the blade will undoubtedly begin to dull over time.

Located at the back of the CFA Peacemaker’s head is a 1-3/8” spike . With this spike, you can split small pieces of wood. This application of the spike works excellent while processing smaller kindling for a teepee fire. Additionally, the spike does a decent job of making puncture holes into the wood I was using. It can also break a window to evacuate a building. Or to gain emergency access to a vehicle.

“The Peacemaker swings with the accuracy and feel of a hammer.” ~511tactical.com

The tomahawk has two contoured nylon scales making up the handle. Both scales have ridges to help grip the tomahawk securely when the weather is wet. Or when wearing gloves. The handle also has a finger grove that worked well to index the tomahawk while swinging it. The scales can easily be removed with a T15 Torx bit. If you wanted to run slick or wrap paracord around the handle. Included with the tomahawk is a stiff nylon sheath that fits over the Peacemaker’s head. The sheath utilizes friction to secure the head in place. Along with the friction lock, the sheath has an additional safety strap preventing the tomahawk from slipping out. Also included is a MOLLE/belt clip that works well to secure the sheath. While carrying it on your tactical belt or attached to your kit.

5.11 Tactical CFA Peacemaker Tomahawk Specs courtesy of 511tactical.com

• Wide range of uses within tactical to woodland environment
• 4” blade for chopping, digging
• Spike for splitting wood, breaking hard materials
• Removable scales for option to wrap paracord (not incl.)
• SCM 435 Steel w/ black electro coat finish; 0.25″ thick
• Full tang construction
• Nylon sheath; Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon scales
• Head length: 6.5”
• Overall length 14”
• MSRP: $140.00

Final thoughts:

Overall, I like what 5.11 and the designer, Justin Gingrich, accomplished with the CFA Peacemaker. The tomahawks light weight lets you swing it for extended periods without exhausting yourself. I appreciate 5.11’s forward-thinking of giving the option for an owner to remove the scales and wrap paracord around the tang of the tomahawk. That option to remove the scales helps provide some additional customization for owners who want their tomahawks to stand apart from others.