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Learning about the Norlund Tomahawk camp/hiking axe

C

Clan Gunn

Joined
Oct 28, 2012
Messages
164
What to look for in the tomahawk; older better metal, markings, life/use left and abuse...

With all the fires around, this is more for learning/thought. Are these light enough for hiking and still quite useable, on small stuff (like for survival, better than a big knife or light tomahawk)?

Probable prefer a longer handle, 18+ to 20, thoughts please?

Comparing a lightweight tomahawk to the Norlund Tomahawk (or any hiking axe) at about what head weight does the small axe start to out shine the hawk? Not thinking of a fighting thing but more of a utilitarian/survival tool that's light enough that it will be carried.

Just have a thing for smaller axes and hatchets. Someday I'll try out a Riggers/half axe and maybe start modifying it!

Thanks

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/793000-Uses-for-an-Axe-Hatchet
 
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Surfing the web awhile ago I noted a post of a guy using a small axe on a long handle to open up logs, very impressive! Question, how and why does a half axe (rigging axe/hammer) work or not. Carpenter's have used these to pound nails for many years. These guys were being paid to produce not play around.
 
I have a Norlund hatchet and Hudson Bay axe. I don't have a hawk so can't compare. Norlund's are very popular and not made anymore and are priced higher than some other hatchets for no discernible reason that I can see. They work well. If you can get one at a good price, I would buy one and try it.
 
halfaxe said:
Norlund's are very popular and not made anymore and are priced higher than some other hatchets for no discernible reason that I can see.
Click to expand...

Which is why I promptly sell any that I find. Nothing wrong with them, but they're not quite a top shelf axe like a TT Flint Edge or a Collins Legitimus or a great many other makers axes. I think the tomahawk-like shape of the HB pattern is part of what makes them so popular.
 
" I think the tomahawk-like shape of the HB pattern is part of what makes them so popular."

Most likely and thanks
 
Clan Gunn said:
Are all the axe experts out of town?
Click to expand...

You beg/borrow/buy something that you think might suit you, and then get out and use it as much as you can. There is no substitute for experience. What I prefer in an axe will not likely suit you since I spent a 1000+ hours using them for a living 50 years ago and have long since become a fan of Stihl small engine products while still very much appreciating exactly what a particular axe can do.
 
Clan Gunn said:
What to look for in the tomahawk; older better metal, markings, life/use left and abuse...

With all the fires around, this is more for learning/thought. Are these light enough for hiking and still quite useable, on small stuff (like for survival, better than a big knife or light tomahawk)?

Probable prefer a longer handle, 18+ to 20, thoughts please?

Comparing a lightweight tomahawk to the Norlund Tomahawk (or any hiking axe) at about what head weight does the small axe start to out shine the hawk? Not thinking of a fighting thing but more of a utilitarian/survival tool that's light enough that it will be carried.

Just have a thing for smaller axes and hatchets. Someday I'll try out a Riggers/half axe and maybe start modifying it!

Thanks

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/793000-Uses-for-an-Axe-Hatchet
Click to expand...

The riggers axe remained popular with framers long after the half hatchets fell into disuse. It was simply the best tool in its day for driving 16p nails for framing.
Its not the best thing going for traditional use or camp chores though its not that bad. It is on par with most Hudson bay style axes in that regard. The bits have about the same thickness lacking a high center line. At least with the Hudson bays that I have examined.
For running a trap line the riggers axe is second to none in my opinion. Making stakes, driving steel stakes ect.
 
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