Looking for good tomahawk maker...

B

big no-no

Joined
Nov 7, 2003
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44
TwoHawks is busy for the next two years and is not accepting orders :grumpy: , Lee Reeves is likewise busy for the next eight months :grumpy: . What other gods of the forge are out there? :confused:
 
jiminy said:
I'm no 'god', but ...what are you looking for?
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I want a very high quality combat tomahawk such as the two afforementioned makers are famed for. I am willing to pay well for it too.
 
What are the specs you're looking for, exactly? The second maker you spoke of seems to only produce a camp axe, a double-bladed camp axe, and a poll axe ...from what I see according to their website.

When I think of "combat hawk" or 'tactical hawk', I think of the RMJ forge 'talon' hawk :)
http://www.rmjforge.com/eagle_talon.htm
 
The design features I'm looking for include: head weight of about 1.5 lbs., hammer poll, handle 16"-18" long, and I want the eye to be almost circular or at least a wide enough oval that it will be easy to make a handle for it in the field, a modern heat treated steel like 5160 or D-2 (doesn't have to be those specifically).
 
Well, that's easy enough so far ...but you've got to get a lot more specific than that if you're looking for someone to undertake a 'custom' hawk project.
i.e. Exact blade shape/finish, hammer poll size/length, some rough overall dimensions, handle material/shape/finish, and finally ...what's the budget?

Preferably you'd have done a sketch of the proposed hawk, or have an example photo(s) somewhere of a existing hawk you'd like it to look like. You can use more than one photo and take design elements from each photo ...for example, you may like the hammer poll in one photo, but not the blade shape. You may like the blade shape in another photo, etc, etc, etc.
 
LOL!
To be frank, I don't think it's a serious offer. If I was preparing to commission a custom piece, I'd like to believe I'd have a pretty close idea of the specifics of the item to be made ...and sketches, photos, etc., readily at hand.
 
Actually Jiminy is partly correct. I was hoping to find a maker who has a few production hawks that he keeps stocked. That way I could just pick the one I like best and know that it is one of the best available. I wasn't actually planning on making it a custom project. That's why I was really hoping to get one from TwoHawks. It wouldn't bother me to pay $200 for one of his pieces. Sorry for any confusion.
 
For the money, one can't do much better than a Plumb Rigging Axe. While they used to be 32 oz., now they make them in 28 oz. Nice oval eye, off the shelf hickory handles are readily available for it, well balanced, and it takes a beating. Not to mention the fact that because it's a 'work' piece, one wouldn't draw a second glance if they wore it on a hammer holster on their belt. I daresay it'd also make a formidable weapon if so employed. They can be had for under $40, and a good Occidental Leather holster for it would run around $25 or so.
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Here's mine ...it's a early 1980's 32 oz model.
It's been rehafted more times than I can count, and after beating with and on it on a daily basis for 20+ years (it makes an excellent pry bar and wedge when beat into a tight spot with another hammer), I finally cracked the eye. What do you expect though ...think I originally paid $25 for it 'way back when' :)

plumb1.jpg
 
Mark Williams said:
The last order I took for a commissioned hawk was right here in this very forum with a simple request.


This is a good thread to look over. Some names to consider.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329527
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Howdy Mark- you talking about the one you made for me? :D

Guys- Mark is being modest here- he is THE MAN. Unbelievable work. :eek:
You'll receive a heirloom-quality piece that could take a beating & deliver for you every time. I also own 2 knives from Mark- one forged & one stock-removal. Both are 100% utilitarian users w/ a nice flair to them- although they look NOTHING alike ;) .
 
This is the one I made for Rugger

attachment.php



It isnt the one I was refering to though. That one will be posted pretty soon :)

This is obviously not a tomahawk :D
 
Nice. What's the lines on the handle ...as it doesn't appear to be the grain? How about posting some specs on it too :) ...And why do you say it isn't a hawk? I've seen photos of some original 1700's hawks that look very similar to it. For example:
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From Indiana. Pictured in Baldwin's Indian war clubs page 36
bottom left group shot Circa 1750-1820.
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From New York Circa 1740-1820
Pattern reference: Russell. page 292 fig.77-b Iroquois
No 4210 in the Chateau de Ramezay, Montreal.
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Another example from New York

Trust me here, you'd be surprised at the number of designs and variations used by the Native Americans. And those are just a few of the ones that have survived to this day. Or were you just joking.

By the way, I've got another one just about ready also :)

(Photos courtesy of the TRADE AXE & TOMAHAWK COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION)
 
Mark Williams said:
This is the one I made for Rugger

attachment.php



It isnt the one I was refering to though. That one will be posted pretty soon :)

This is obviously not a tomahawk :D
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What a beauty- I keep it handy here @ home & it gets handled quite a bit.
 
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