Just An Honest Question...

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
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I never really paid a lot attention to this sub-forum before, even though I've been here on BF for years. I can see how axes and tomahawks can be addicting (I own a CS tomahawk I bought and never used!). Being a collector/user of traditional knives, I am curious how such a tool (axe, hatchet, etc) could be used as a weapon? I am seeing quite a few "tactical" 'hawks now a days. This has caught my interest...

Is this something you EDC? Keep in a vehicle? Under the bed?
 
I began collecting a specific brand of axes starting about 5 years after that particular company went defunct. These of course don't do a heck of a lot except take up space. On the other hand a Pulaski tool (along with a shovel) lives in the back of my canopied truck and has proved useful many times during snowstorms, blowdowns, washouts, camping adventures and hunting trips. This tool can also be used to rescue car accident victims (smash windows/chop through roofs and doors) but so far that has never had to happen. I suppose a hatchet or axe can be wielded as a weapon but a sledge hammer handle tucked under the seat is better suited for that. Seems to me angrily waving a tac hawk around would only encourage someone to pull out a gun.
 
I don't know much of anything about fighting with a tomahawk but I have stumbled across videos and articles on the subject which leads me to believe there is a discipline for it. I imagine it's not a whole lot different from batons but with the addition of hooking and a cutting edge.
 
I know some of our elite Warriors deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have carried (used?) 'Tactical Tomahawks'. Because the Middle-East is still a 'Blade Culture' in many ways, the 'Tomahawks' were very impressive and intimidating to the locals. There are Martial Art training styles using Axes, 'Hawks', knives and Swords.

Like all modern edged weapons, it's a backup to the backup. My order of battle starts with a massive Aerial bombing, then unrelenting heavy artillery, followed by a barrage of 180 mm mortars. Hopefully, by the time I've expended all my ammo for both my rifle and side-arm there isn't a lot for my edged-weapon to clean-up.

Now, in the zombie apocalypse, all bets are off! Edged weapons rule! Especially, if you run out of bullets:D

SJ
 
I use hatchets as woodworking tools, and I can tell you that they really hit hard. Look at the weight of a hatchet or tomahawk and compare it to the typical baton or fighting stick and you can see how much harder they are going to land, then you concentrate that in the tiny surface area of the edge. I throw tomahawks for fun, and I am using 40lb palm tree rounds as targets right now. A casual throw hits with enough force to rock the target back, and the few times I have tried a power throw for fun have resulted in massive hits and damage. If you want some historical examples, look up the francisca, the hand axe that made the Franks and Vandals some of the most feared warriors of the Dark Ages. I think the tactical hawk trend is a bit silly, but I did pick one up with all metal construction to try and slow down on the need to re-seat, re-hang, and replace wooden handles. But EDC? In the woods I would rather have a light trail hawk on my belt, or something with a hammer poll instead of a spike. Even back in the days when a hawk was carried as a weapon, the first thing a mountain man would reach for would be his black powder rifle.
 
Somewhat off topic and not an answer to your question but was the tomahawk a weapon 1st tool 2nd or the other way around?
 
Last edited:
Beachlogger said:
Somewhat off topic and not an answer to your question but was the tomahawk a weapon 1st tool 2nd or the other way around?
Click to expand...

These started out as European-made trade items. Access to a metal striking tool was a revolution amongst the n. American natives when you consider stone, wood or bone tools was what they used before. Eking out a subsistence living is essentially a full time occupation and fighting to cause injury or death would have been right at the bottom of the list of things to do unless it was a life or death situation. Even then a spear or arrow loosed from a safe distance is a better method for remaining uninjured yourself.
 
Pre-firearm? Absolutely.

Axes as weapons. An axe, hatchet, tomahawk (especially some of the ones posted here) will all kill you for sure - and gruesomely at that.

The problem is that you have to be within touching distance of someone to do that - that is too close. Assuming the other person is armed (not with an axe) and that is the primary reason you need to use that axe or tomahawk.

Someone in my house at night?

A hatchet doesn't come out of the nightstand.

My axes like wood, but that is just me. Some of the things that guys here can make from "scratch" are definitely weapons.

We can cite our servicemen carrying them, Lizzy Borden, movie fights, repelling wild animals with them, etc. but your True Temper boy's axe isn't a match for more than one assailant or even one armed with a "modern" weapon.

Just an honest response to an honest question.

Now, if you are advancing behind your pikemen with destrier support in open field battle then watch out. :)
 
Also check out the resources under the sticky at the top of the sub-forum for Tomahawk Training.
 
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