First-Light USA Tomahawk LED Flashlight Review

Given the size of the Tomahawk LED Flashlight from First-Light USA, at first blush it doesn’t really stand out as being something special.  After spending some time with the Tomahawk, it is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Tomahawk tactical flashlight from First-Light-USA looks like an old style Army flashlight from Word War II that got shrunk in the dryer.  It has a short tube for the batteries and the head is angled at ninety degrees with the operational buttons located on the top of the light.  Other than the similar appearance to the old military light that's where the similarities stop.

The Tomahawk has several different models available and depending on your needs, there is one that will probably be the perfect one for you.  All of the Tomahawk models have a 120 lumen output white LED and add features from there.  In order of features from basic to advanced, there is the Tomahawk GP which the Mil-Spec model and the most basic model, white output only with steady and momentary on and off functions.  The Tomahawk ST features all white output with the addition of a strobe feature and a separate button for activation.  The Tomahawk MC adds a ring of Red and Blue or Red and Green LEDs around the outside of the bezel.  The MC can be operated in several different modes of colored or white output.  The Tomahawk LE is similar to the MC and also adds a strobe function for a strobing Red, Blue, White combination.  And The Tomahawk NV offers the primary white light with the addition of Red LEDs for low light navigation and IR emitters for use with NV goggles.  There is also a white lockout mode to prevent the accidental activation of white light in covert conditions.  Of course as you add features the price tag goes up; but, if you need a multifunction light; the extra investment is well worth the cost.

 For my evaluation, I was given a Tomahawk MC.  The Tomahawk MC puts out 120 lumens of white light and it also has a ring of multi-color LEDs around the outside of the center LED.  It comes in red and blue or red and green, depending on your needs; mine was red and blue.

Out of the box you get the Tomahawk model you ordered, a set of Duracell C123A Lithium batteries, an instruction sheet and two circular pieces of plastic.  The pieces of plastic are EXTREMELY important and we'll cover them later.

All Tomahawks are made of aircraft grade aluminum and come Force Grey,First-Lights anodizing color of choice.  There is a clip that is Molle ready attached to the light when you take it out of the box and the bottom of the light is covered with semi-hard closed cell foam for grip.  The bottom cylinder doubles as the battery compartment as well as the handle.  The control panel is made up three buttons (depending on model).  A big momentary button at the back of the panel and an on/off button and a cycle button for going through the different brightness levels of light.

When I first held the Tomahawk I wasn’t sure I liked it as it felt a bit awkward.  The plastic pieces I mentioned are finger rings.  The light comes with a medium sized ring and an extra large sized ring, for different sized fingers of course or the use of tactical or winter gloves in conjunction with the Tomahawk.  The ring is fairly robust plastic and it has an opening on the bottom so the light will break away from the holders grip if it is grabbed by an adversary in a confrontational situation.  This prevents the holder from being over powered or the finger holding the light from being broken.

I put the extra large sized ring on the light and held it again in my non-dominant hand and all of sudden; this little light didn't feel half bad.  To align the finger loop, hold the light in your non-dominant hand at your chest and look down.  The ring should point to about one o’clock toward your non-dominant side.  With the ring properly positioned; the Tomahawk felt very natural and comfortable in my hand.

Next I wanted to try using the Tomahawk with my firearm as it would be used in low light.  I tried to find a grip that felt comfortable with the Tomahawk, to no avail.  I called First-Light and asked for some assistance and they were excellent at describing how the light should be properly held with a firearm.  They told me to hold my gun in my dominant hand with a one handed grip.  Then hold the Tomahawk like I normally would.  Then take the knuckles of my dominant hand and push them directly into the back of the foam on the Tomahawk.  Instantly I could feel how natural the light felt and I was holding my gun and a flashlight with almost the same exact hold that I use during daylight shooting.  No more modified Harry’s or FBI holds and no more worries of lazing my arm when under stress shooting in low light.

Now that I had the light adjusted and had a grip that felt good, it was time for some low light shooting.  At the range the first thing I noticed was how easy it was to acquire a target in low light with the Tomahawk.  Having been a cop for sixteen years I have been shooting like everyone else in low light; a one hand hold on the gun with a tube light in my non-dominate hand under my dominate hand for support and to control the light.  With the Tomahawk I ended up with a slightly modified two hand hold that I use without a light.  It feels natural and intuitive.  This feature alone makes the Tomahawk series of lights an awesome choice for new recruits that are learning to shoot for the first time.  We teach and teach the basics in ambient light and then change everything when the lights get dim.  With the Tomahawks, recruits can be taught to shoot with the same two hand hold, night or day.

Now that I was shooting with my Tomahawk MC the benefits of owning a First-Light product really began to shine.  Pardon the pun!  The finger loop that holds the light on your finger allows you to keep control of the light while changing magazines or clearing a stoppage.  We have always limited the amount of stoppage drills we do in low light because of the inherent dangers of holding a loaded firearm and a flashlight and then trying to manipulate everything in the event of a stoppage.  With the Tomahawk MC I was able to perform all of the stoppage functions flawlessly and without the need to holster my light.

If you are a tactical shooter; you are familiar with transitioning.  To transition with the Tomahawk simply roll the light forward on your pointer finger, place the butt of the firearm into the webbing of your thumb and pointer finger, pinch, reach over the top of the firearm grab the Tomahawk, push your pointer finger into the loop and you have transitioned quickly and safely and there was no fumbling with the light or gun and there was no possibility of lazing your arm or hand while trying to manipulate the light.

I chose the Tomahawk MC because I am a hunter.  The blue LEDs are reported to help the user see blood when tracking and red LEDs are useful for preserving low light adapted vision.  I have not had the opportunity to try the blue light out on blood or fluid detection yet, but the red LEDs  have been very handy for maintaining low light vision.

After using the Tomahawk MC for over a month in the street it has found itself a permanent home in my cache of gear.  The Tomahawk line is small and compact and because of its size, it is very concealable for plain clothes or under cover officers.  Combine the Tomahawk with the Tactical Retention System (TRS) from First-Light and the Tomahawk is a perfect light for uniformed patrol as well.

The only drawback I found with the Tomahawk was the Molle clip.  The Tomahawk is probably the smallest light on the market that performs so many functions.  Because of its size, there is not a lot of real estate around the battery compartment of the light.  The Molle clip is great if you wear a Molle vest; but for me, it was difficult to clip the light to a duty belt with the clip.  The clip also seemed to be in the way when shooting.  This is a very small price to pay for everything that you get from the light; but, it was a noticeable inconvenience to the light.  First-Light has rolled out the TRS (tactical retention system) for the Tomahawks and the Molle clip can be removed with the addition of the TRS.

I'll cover the TRS in another review; but suffice it to say; the Tomahawk coupled with the TRS is probably the best setup for patrol officers that I have found. Period!

Rick London in the managing partner of Tactical LEDs LLC and is a Patrol Sergeant in Pennsylvania.  Rick has over 18 years of experience as a police officer and has written numerous articles regarding the use of light as a defensive tool.  For more information, visit, www.tacticalleds.com.