handel question

M

martin j

Joined
May 16, 2001
Messages
692
Hello,

I have naive question. Why are most tomahawk handles straight not tapered ?

Thank you

Martin
 
From my experience, replacing a tomahawk handle with something that tapers does things to the weight, balance, and strength of the handle that I dont like. When you chuck (I can't call my swing a throw) hawks you'll break handles, heads will loosen, etc. Tapering or thinner handles just help these processes along. It will also shift a greater proportion of the weight to the head, altering the spin of the hawk in the air. Im sure some of the others have their reasons as well if they've ever made a handle. Plus, its just much easier to make a uniform handle. Hope that helps a bit.
 
perhaps taper is incorrect term. I mean to refer to traditional curved handle ( not necessarily thinner) like on gransfor bruks axes. is straight handle easier to throw than curved handle?

does straight handl significantly compromise for utility work ?

i would like to try throwing a hatchet or tomahawk myself some day, unfortunately I live in urban region and it is not feasible.

thank you

Martin Jastrom
 
Oh sorry, couldn't tell ya then. I've not ever replaced a hawk handle with a curved one. I dont imagine it'd throw well though.
 
Thank you .

In another thread a member stated he did better work (not throwing ) with a straight handle tomahawk than a gransfor bruk axe. I would think handle design would fare measurably in its performance .

Thank you again

Martin
 
Martin,

Also bear in mind that a hawk handle is usually installed by feeding the grip end through the hole (eye) in the head, then pressing the head tight on the head end of the handle. Gransfors installs axe handles by pressing the head onto the head end of the handle and gluing and wedging the head on. The grip end of the handle never passes through the eye on a Gransfors or most other axes. A handle that is thick and curved on the grip end (such as the Gransfors handles) wouldn't fit normally on most hawks because it wouldn't pass through the eye.
 
Thank you Dances With Knives

That makes sense, to ensure head remains fit . I was curious in apparent "trade off" in straigt handle for general work, not throwing . For many owners of tomahawks it appears an acceptable trade for superior throwing.

Martin
 
I have several hawks, including Two Hawks' Competition thrower and utility Longhunter. www.2hawks.net I did some chopping of hardwood with the Longhunter and was getting more shock transmitted to my hands than with the Gransfors Wildlife Hatchet. www.gransfors.com Furthermore, even though my hands are relatively small, the shaft seemed a bit too thin. I wrapped about 6 inches of the grip area with a single layer of paracord and that made a big difference in chopping comfort. To maintain the beautiful traditional look of the Longhunter, I think I'll pull the paracord off and do some sort of leather wrap. Two Hawks told me that he did that with one of his personal users.

Although the Longhunter's shaft is thinner and straighter than that of the Gransfors, one offsetting benefit is its increased length. While the total weight of the hawk (with rawhide wrap at the head and paracord on the grip) is only 19.3 ounces, the longer shaft allows the blade to hit hard and bite deep.
 
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