Celtic Tomahawk ?

Joined
May 6, 2001
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Hi all,

I was wondering this 2014 (HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY btw) if there exist such a thing as a Celtic TOMAHAWK ? (as opposed to Celtic Battle Axe). I've been searching the web and can only find a small smattering of information on the subject. Might anyone own and/or have knowledge of about Celtic Tomahawks ? Might anyone know of any Blacksmiths who make such a Hawk (if it exist) and if so.....how might a Celtic Hawk stack up next to a (for example) a period TRADE Tomahawk ? Thanks.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hi Shirk,

Ummmmm......good question. Well, I'm mostly interested in 18th. Century in New England period such as The French and Indian War (1754–1763) and earlier. I live close to the area discussed in this link:
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/maine-indian-tribes.htm
so I'm kind of interested in this time period as well. I suspect the Celtic may have had pretty much the same trade Axes/Tomahawks as the "New World" during this time period ?

Regards,
HARDBALL aka (Tom Patrick)
 
alright then - I'd say a tomahawk with a short cutting edge without a beard and you're good to go. This whole Tomahawk stuff in this period was a mix and mash. There were no major differences between let's say french and britisch trading hawks. I wouldn't say there's a celtic tomahawk, celtic throwing axes - yes but not tomahawks like we know them.
 
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Hi Shirk,

Thanks for you input. So, would a Celtic throwing Axe be a large(ish) type War Axe or something ? Sort of like a Viking War Axe ?

HARDBALL
 
Large is an expandable definition. Axes between 16" and 22" inches are good for throwing and in combat. Light and narrow heads to be fast in combat. There was a large variety of head and handle shapes. That's kinda hard to explain through writing. The biggest problem here is that I'm not a native english speaker/writer.
 
Hi Shirk,

Quote: "The biggest problem here is that I'm not a native English speaker/writer." Well Sir Shirk, I must say, you have an OUTSTANDING command of English (both speaking and writing).
Again, thank you for your help.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Thanks pal. The problem are complex coherent sentences including technical terms. I try to help where I can, it's an interesting topic because I'm totally into hawks and axes used also as weapons. As I said, the simpler the axe head the better in this case. This (http://kelten-roemer-ev.de/typo3temp/pics/1972_306_0572596a82.jpg and http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:SchaftlochaxtHu.jpg&filetimestamp=20060824171258&) for example are patterns used back then. If you want a celtic influenced 18th century tomahawk just go with a simple blade-shape.
 
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Thank you my friend. I will check out this link for sure. I developed a strong interest in Axes/Tomahawks starting last Spring (2013). I met a wonderful gentleman by the name of Ken Hamilton in Maine (Sagadahoc Country). Ken is a Historian on Native Americans and life in the North East circa 1700's. The is so much history in the area I live. Anyway, Ken (who is also a Blacksmith) is also an expert on the history of French (and I suspect English) Trade Knives/Tomahawks etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ken...HGsLWyQGGxYHgBw&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=728

Ken is making me this : http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2009/10/dutch-flamand-knife-with-sheath-by-ken.html

Oooh, if you happened to catch the NatGeo show "Diggers" last week, the guys were digging artifacts only a few miles from my home at Fort Richmond which is located on the Kennebec River.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ken...Maine&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch

The guys found some neat items, INCLUDING an old Axe/Tomahawk head! I nearly flipped out! Right in my own back yard! http://tvsiok.com/diggers-s03e06-chasing-benedict-arnold-hdtv-xvid-afg

I've a LOT to learn Shirk. Thanks again for all your help.

Best Regards,
HARDBALL aka (Tom Patrick)
 
I'm a bit jealous right now ;) Nah, I'm happy for you :) I also love the traditional stuff and it also goes along with me into the woods. It's just a good feeling. You will surely have fun with your stuff :D
 
I might need to see if I can chat up Mr. Hamilton. Portland is a hell of a drive from Newport, but it'd be worth it. Being a novice smith myself I'd love to see some of his work, and his references he uses. I'm a bit of a minor league history nerd too, especially when it comes to the Native Americans, seeing as I have a tad touch of Native blood in me. One of the few heritages I come from that I'm proud of. I've always been interested in Native American culture, it always seemed more interesting than your standard 1300's Mainland European medieval history. Then again, anything Colonial is more exciting than that.
 
Hi Guys,

Shirk, no need to be jealous (well.....maybe a lil' bit lol). Seriously, I feel truly blessed to be living in this area of Maine with sooooo much History. I should mention, I also met another talented Blacksmith/Historian (who was once the head Blacksmith at Old Sturbridge Village in MA). Mr. Jeff Miller
(now living in Maine) was kind enough to make me a copy of an old (circa 1700's) Trade Axe/Tomahawk which had been found on the shore of a Lake in Vermont many many years ago. This is my first Hawk! Ken and Jeff are friends and often attend the same Historical recreation type events. Shirk, I'm happy to hear you too enjoy the "traditional stuff" and.....yes...it's just a good feeling having traditional "stuff". DT123.....Newport Maine eh ? If I'm not mistaken, Ken lives close to you're area. I actually live in Sagadahoc County (Richmond) just South of Augusta. DT123.....check out (i.e. DON'T miss this event) http://www.friendsofcolonialpemaquid.org/PNew2009Events.html Ken is the gentleman pictured in Native American dress and will no doubt be giving many Historical talks during the event. I had a WONDERFUL time last year at this BEAUTIFUL area. Both Ken and Jeff attended this event. Also check out these events. Ken will be speaking:

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/calendar/event.shtml

Yes indeed DT, anything Colonial is exciting to me. I was hooked at a very early age ever since my first visit as a child: http://www.osv.org/ Ooh Ooh....I just now noticed that OSV will be having a NATIVE AMERICAN event the end of March! http://www.osv.org/event/native-american-weekend Oooh, I wish I could attend all these events! DT, I hope you get to meet Ken this year. Ken is one heck of a nice guy! Oooh Shirk, I REALLY like the picture of that Tomahawk you linked. Do you have any info on this Tomahawk ? Thanks guys.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
I am a bit confused as I thought the Celts haven't existed as a cultural group for many centuries. Wouldn't a 16th century tomahawk be more of a combination of multiple influences? Of course history was my worst subject in school.
 
Nobody is 100% sure but the real celts lived from 1000/500 B.C. until 50/100 A.D. - rough estimate. If someone says for example irish people are still celts, well yes, the tongue still lives in them but they don't have the culture making a celt a celt. HARDBALL you're speaking about this one? http://kelten-roemer-ev.de/typo3temp/pics/1972_306_0572596a82.jpg (I linked two) it's a celtic/germanic iron axe in a museum in germany.
 
Hi Bo,

No worries, I'm a lot confused lol. As I mentioned earlier, I too (suspect) the Axe/Tomahawk would indeed be more of a combination of multiple influences during the 17th. and 18th. Centuries. I too really need to "bone up" on my History.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hi Shrik,

Quote: "it's a Celtic/Germanic iron axe in a museum in Germany." Yes indeed Shirk, thank you, that's the one. Oooh, I REALLY like that Hatchet head.
It's no wonder I'm drawn to this Axe head as I have both Irish & German (Schwener) blood. Might you have another link and/or additional information
(i.e. measurments) on this Celtic/Germanic beauty ? Thanks Shirk.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
I've been starting to get more into the ethnographic arms of countries, the ones that made them famous so to speak. So far what's really stuck are the Nordic countries, and the Native Americans, pre and post Columbian. I take any chance I can to visit a new museum to see what I can. I need to remember to take more pictures though, I think "oh that looks awesome, I'll try and hammer out something that looks like that" and then I get home and remember I have no references :P.
 
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