i have a question

C

CorpsmanUP!

Joined
Jun 11, 2007
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what is the difference between an axe- a hatchet, and a tomahawk- i'm new here so don't be too harsh with the replies:rolleyes:
i have a BEAUTIFUL estwing 'camp axe' (hatchet) that is all one piece of tool steel with a leather washer handle and leather sheath. i LOVE that thing- i'm not a thrower but i like not having to worry about the head flying off. how does it rate in this forum?
 
Depends on who you ask.


My definitions:

Axe - larger head, longer handle, usually intended for two-handed use.

Hatchet - shorter version of the above, usually intended for one-handed use.

Tomahawk - a type of hatchet more common in the 18th and 19th centuries... but now with all the "tactical" 'hawks out there, that definition is getting a little fuzzy.
 
From what i have seen from the many many American sites i have gathered that...

Axe = I agree that head size is larger and handles are longer (unless stated one-handed)

Tomahawk = Small axe that has a functional end opposite the blade end usually a spike, hammer or traditional pipe. Made for everyday use and can be also used for battle. Can be said that it is the axe which has evolved for warrior people (not lumberjacks) who because of their smaller physique requires a not too large axe.

Hatchet = A smaller axe that conventionally does not have a functional opposite end. The fact that some people use the flat back end as a hammer is more of a "side job".

Please correct me if i'm wrong thanks fellow Bladeforumites...
 
There was a long and informative discussion on what made a hawk and what made a hatchet. I will try to dig it up. The lines get blurred. Let's just say, each of them have special purposes and talents that are unique.
 
kidwholaughs said:
There was a long and informative discussion on what made a hawk and what made a hatchet. I will try to dig it up. The lines get blurred. Let's just say, each of them have special purposes and talents that are unique.
Click to expand...

The problems being:

Not all tomahawks historically were equipped with a hammer poll, spike, or pipe bowl. In fact most did not.

The word "tomahawk" originated in native americana. The iron/steel headed axe/hatchet did not. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the same tool which was called a tomahawk in North America was called in Europe a hatchet or axe, depending on its size. If you were a resident of Boston circa 1800, you probably wouldn't refer to your hatchet as a tomahawk, but the head and blade shape of it would be pretty much like the tomahawks carried on the frontier.

The first iron-headed tomahawks used by the native people were obtained in trade. The term 'otamahak', which was originally applied to warclubs or stone-headed axes also came to describe the iron axes/hatchets obtained by trade.

But this is 2007, not 1807. I consider it a 'hatchet' if it has the typical wedge shaped head of modern times. I consider it a 'tomahawk' if it resembles more a 18th century hatchet.
 
I see, therefore I can safely assume there really isn't a clear definition yet... In the past it is a hatchet or a tomahawk or an axe depending on the country of origin but today with over-enthusiastic marketing (with not much proper historic aspect) by certain companies have really blurred the lines over the years.
 
CorpsmanUP! said:
what is the difference between an axe- a hatchet, and a tomahawk- i'm new here so don't be too harsh with the replies:rolleyes:
i have a BEAUTIFUL estwing 'camp axe' (hatchet) that is all one piece of tool steel with a leather washer handle and leather sheath. i LOVE that thing- i'm not a thrower but i like not having to worry about the head flying off. how does it rate in this forum?
Click to expand...

Where are my manners, welcome to the forum Corpsman. I hope that you will grow to enjoy this forum as a place of great information and fellowship. Estwing is respected company that makes a great hatchet. You can modify it to even better.
For practical purposes, axes are the best choppers, followed by the hatchet, and then the tomahawk. Somepeople find it impractical carry an axe around for the size and weight. Tomahawks are lighter than hatchets and axes. It's main advantage is that it is great for light work. It's more balanced for throwing and in the olden days for fighting. It's handle can be easily replaced in the field. The tomahawk can sometimes be a little light for moderate work. This is where the hatchet comes in. It's lighter than the axe but chops better than the tomahawk. The hammer on the hatchet really comes in handy if you need to pound a stake. However, it's kinda hard to throw the hatchet.
I hope this was informative to you.
 
I am also new here... but let me give this a shot...

To me, axes are for chopping, the longer and heavier the axe, the heavier the job it can handle... but it may be considered too heavy to pack around a lot...

To me, hatchets are small axes, and are lighter and smaller (typically) than an axe... so they cannot handle as heavy a job, but pack around much better/easier...

To me, tomahawks are a whole different animal altogether. I believe they were designed mainly for fighting... and for that role, they are the best of the 3... they are the lightest (in typical designs), so they are not going to be as good (in general) at chopping and such as an axe or hatchet would be...

Some axes, hatchets and tomahawks are currently designed so that they can blur the lines between the typical uses of these 3 tools... however, I think a wise person will want to use the BEST tool for the expected job, so that will typically help one choose the exact tool more successfully...
A similar thing is the way some folks hunt large game with a handgun... I'm not saying it can't work, just that an appropriate RIFLE would probably work BETTER...

Choose the expected role for the tool, then choose the BEST tool for the job...
 
Axes and hatchets CAN be thrown...
But, they are not usually designed for throwing...

Tomahawks usually throw very well...
Because, most tomahawks are DESIGNED to be thrown...

I like to stick with the original DESIGN and PURPOSE of any tool I intend to use...
 
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