As the Forum is aware I've been asked and have accepted the position of Senior Instructor for the American Tomahawk Company, courtesy of its founder and CEO, Mr. Andy Prisco.
It is a distinct privilege to be so considered by Andy. The American Tomahawk Company, Inc., was originally founded by Mr. Peter S. La Gana of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. For those not familiar with Mr. La Gana allow me to quote from his bio in "The Art of Knife and Tomahawk Throwing" as written by La Gana himself.
"Peter S. La Gana gained world wide notoriety for a combat Tomahawk he invented for American troops in Southeast Asia. Members of the Armed Forces praised this particular Tomahawk as an excellent weapon, and tool.
"Mr. La Gana, a World War II Veteran, is an ardent outdoorsman, but his main interest is silent weapons. During his many exhibitions, he destroyed the theory of the "The Balanced Knife." In these exhibitions he throws screwdrivers, files, hat pins, junk knives, bayonets, needles, letter openers, arrow heads, scissors, etc. Included in the act is throwing Tomahawks and an uncanny skill with the Borneo Blow Gun. Forty years of experience went into this book."
In the Summer and Fall of 1990 I enjoyed the opportunity of interviewing Mr. La Gana for Fighting Knives Magazine. To my knowledge this two-part series on the Vietnam Tomahawk originally designed and made for the Army's elite Special Forces (Green Berets) for service in Southeast Asia remains the ONLY such interview granted by Mr. La Gana in recent times. It is the true story of both Peter La Gana and his incredible silent edged weapon, the Tomahawk. I am honored to know that Mr. La Gana, to this day, thinks highly of this particular journalistic effort on behalf of his legacy and gift to the American Fighting Man.
I have since handled and owned original ATC VN Tomahawks. I have trained with these, and created a training program (and taught the program to selected students). Over the years I have examined, worked with, and studied half a dozen replicas, emulations, and variations of the original ATC VN Tomahawk. If there is any one silent edged weapon I have developed a keen interest in, and passion for, it is this simple yet perfect Tomahawk from the honest and insightful mind of a truly patriotic American named Peter La Gana.
Andy Prisco, I have since learned, shares this passion. He is the only person to - after much hard work and open hearted effort - find acceptance from Mr. La Gana in terms of rebirthing both the American Tomahawk Company and its original design, the VN Tomahawk. Andy's story about how this all came about is truly remarkable. He is deserving of great respect and - in my experience - if Pete La Gana says Andy's okay...well, you get the picture. What Andy has done is breathe new life into a legendary American edged weapon and tool. He is doing so with honor and integrity. He is doing so as much out of respect as he is his means of making a living.
And he has Peter La Gana's never before given blessing to do so.
Between Peter La Gana, Andy, and myself we will be developing an American Tomahawk Company training program for not only the flagship of the ATC line, but for those follow on tomahawks such as the New Generation Ranger and projects Andy just recently entered into since this last April. Any training program offered by ATC will be a bona fide, well considered, documented program of instruction. Such programs will be professionally presented and documented. Such programs will encourage the development of true skill, be it CQB or fieldcraft in nature.
I have been working with both a Brigade Quartermaster special edition traditional VN Tomahawk and new generation VN Tomahawk as provided to me by Andy at ATC for more than several months now. I have been careful not to simply post a quick, down and dirty, "ain't it a great product" evaluation for a number of reasons. The primary one being Peter La Gana's unspoken expectation of me from our past effort together to be as frank and honest about the new ATC effort as I can possibly be.
That eval will be posted within the next few days.
In the meantime this thread is dedicated to both the American Tomahawk Company, its evolving product line, and training doctrine and input coming from not only our end, but yours. Both Andy and myself invite you to participate aggressively on this thread. In this way we'll all learn and be taught.
You can visit ATC on the 'net by checking out the American Tomahawk Company website.
I'll close this posting with the following which came from Andy a few weeks ago.
"We used your tomahawk the other day we went on a mission and had to do some CQB we used them to help chop open doors and windows that were locked. They work real well. I always carry mine close by when I am doing cave clearing. If I have to go hand to hand I would much rather have that then a knife (and remember I am a knife maker). What ever you can do for us will be great. Again thanks, Watch for us on the news the boys of the Iron Rakkasans have done some good stuff here."
The note is signed by Jimmie Smith, an 11 Bravo Infantryman serving in Afghanistan in the war on terrorism.
Through Andy Prisco at the American Tomahawk Company, the vision and dedication to a superb close quarters combat weapon and field tool as created by combat veteran and close quarters combat instructor Peter S. LaGana continues to protect our servicemens' lives in the defense of Freedom. No other edged weapon that I am presently aware of has the unique heritage and credentials of the ATC VN Tomahawk and those other products now being offered by Prisco & Company.
And soon quality training programs will likewise be a part of the ATC line up.
My sincere thanks is extended to Andy Prisco for this opportunity to further enhance and strengthen the ATC Legend. Now, let's hear from you!
It is a distinct privilege to be so considered by Andy. The American Tomahawk Company, Inc., was originally founded by Mr. Peter S. La Gana of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. For those not familiar with Mr. La Gana allow me to quote from his bio in "The Art of Knife and Tomahawk Throwing" as written by La Gana himself.
"Peter S. La Gana gained world wide notoriety for a combat Tomahawk he invented for American troops in Southeast Asia. Members of the Armed Forces praised this particular Tomahawk as an excellent weapon, and tool.
"Mr. La Gana, a World War II Veteran, is an ardent outdoorsman, but his main interest is silent weapons. During his many exhibitions, he destroyed the theory of the "The Balanced Knife." In these exhibitions he throws screwdrivers, files, hat pins, junk knives, bayonets, needles, letter openers, arrow heads, scissors, etc. Included in the act is throwing Tomahawks and an uncanny skill with the Borneo Blow Gun. Forty years of experience went into this book."
In the Summer and Fall of 1990 I enjoyed the opportunity of interviewing Mr. La Gana for Fighting Knives Magazine. To my knowledge this two-part series on the Vietnam Tomahawk originally designed and made for the Army's elite Special Forces (Green Berets) for service in Southeast Asia remains the ONLY such interview granted by Mr. La Gana in recent times. It is the true story of both Peter La Gana and his incredible silent edged weapon, the Tomahawk. I am honored to know that Mr. La Gana, to this day, thinks highly of this particular journalistic effort on behalf of his legacy and gift to the American Fighting Man.
I have since handled and owned original ATC VN Tomahawks. I have trained with these, and created a training program (and taught the program to selected students). Over the years I have examined, worked with, and studied half a dozen replicas, emulations, and variations of the original ATC VN Tomahawk. If there is any one silent edged weapon I have developed a keen interest in, and passion for, it is this simple yet perfect Tomahawk from the honest and insightful mind of a truly patriotic American named Peter La Gana.
Andy Prisco, I have since learned, shares this passion. He is the only person to - after much hard work and open hearted effort - find acceptance from Mr. La Gana in terms of rebirthing both the American Tomahawk Company and its original design, the VN Tomahawk. Andy's story about how this all came about is truly remarkable. He is deserving of great respect and - in my experience - if Pete La Gana says Andy's okay...well, you get the picture. What Andy has done is breathe new life into a legendary American edged weapon and tool. He is doing so with honor and integrity. He is doing so as much out of respect as he is his means of making a living.
And he has Peter La Gana's never before given blessing to do so.
Between Peter La Gana, Andy, and myself we will be developing an American Tomahawk Company training program for not only the flagship of the ATC line, but for those follow on tomahawks such as the New Generation Ranger and projects Andy just recently entered into since this last April. Any training program offered by ATC will be a bona fide, well considered, documented program of instruction. Such programs will be professionally presented and documented. Such programs will encourage the development of true skill, be it CQB or fieldcraft in nature.
I have been working with both a Brigade Quartermaster special edition traditional VN Tomahawk and new generation VN Tomahawk as provided to me by Andy at ATC for more than several months now. I have been careful not to simply post a quick, down and dirty, "ain't it a great product" evaluation for a number of reasons. The primary one being Peter La Gana's unspoken expectation of me from our past effort together to be as frank and honest about the new ATC effort as I can possibly be.
That eval will be posted within the next few days.
In the meantime this thread is dedicated to both the American Tomahawk Company, its evolving product line, and training doctrine and input coming from not only our end, but yours. Both Andy and myself invite you to participate aggressively on this thread. In this way we'll all learn and be taught.
You can visit ATC on the 'net by checking out the American Tomahawk Company website.
I'll close this posting with the following which came from Andy a few weeks ago.
"We used your tomahawk the other day we went on a mission and had to do some CQB we used them to help chop open doors and windows that were locked. They work real well. I always carry mine close by when I am doing cave clearing. If I have to go hand to hand I would much rather have that then a knife (and remember I am a knife maker). What ever you can do for us will be great. Again thanks, Watch for us on the news the boys of the Iron Rakkasans have done some good stuff here."
The note is signed by Jimmie Smith, an 11 Bravo Infantryman serving in Afghanistan in the war on terrorism.
Through Andy Prisco at the American Tomahawk Company, the vision and dedication to a superb close quarters combat weapon and field tool as created by combat veteran and close quarters combat instructor Peter S. LaGana continues to protect our servicemens' lives in the defense of Freedom. No other edged weapon that I am presently aware of has the unique heritage and credentials of the ATC VN Tomahawk and those other products now being offered by Prisco & Company.
And soon quality training programs will likewise be a part of the ATC line up.
My sincere thanks is extended to Andy Prisco for this opportunity to further enhance and strengthen the ATC Legend. Now, let's hear from you!
