(Sorry for the length, you can see I've put a bit of thinking into this!)
Hey, been lurking bladeforums for a little while, and just decided I'd like to get a hawk!
I looked around on the internet a bit, and decided I want a Fort Turner hawk, partly because I've read good things, but also because he does custom work as well.
I figure that if I'm going to ask for custom work, I might as well really try to make something ideal.
So I've come here with my thoughts on this design, and seek everyone's wisdom on my take on the absolute ideal fighter.
First, some ground rules:
1) Do keep in mind that I haven't handled a tomahawk with the intention of fighting with it yet, so my logic is from speculation rather than practice. If you see something here you know to be dumb, tell me, because I don't want to be dumb.
2) Let's assume, for now at least, this hawk will be used exclusively with one hand. In other words, FT standard-sized hawk handles are 18 inches, and that's what I'm getting. In other words, I'm mostly making the ideal hawk head! If you really, really, really think the perfect fighting hawk handle would come any different, explain convincingly.
3) There will be no attempts to adhere to any one style from a certain period or culture, furthermore, no advice on making it pretty in any way. I ask that any recommendations that are made only take into account maximizing strengths, broadening versatility, and/or minimizing weaknesses, from a combative perspective.
That about covers it, I think. Now, let's make the perfect fighter.
The foundation for the design will be the Roger's Ranger Hawk. In fact, the majority of the dimensions will be identical.
I think the spike is stout of enough to prove exceptionally durable, even when faced with the toughest task, but is long enough for a fairly deep bite. It's also wider than a typical v-hawk's spike, I think, for a wide wound channel.
The following, or bottom edge of the RR's blade is how I want it, as well: It's got enough angle downward to allow it really "grab on" for hooking, but not swept like a Norsemen's hawk so that the point might snag on clothing.
That said, I do want the upswept design of the Norsemen for the leading, or top edge. A few reasons:
1) We're not going to be as many hooking, body-manipulating type maneuvers with this edge, so snagging isn't a concern, really.
2) This will give us more length in the blade edge, which is rarely a bad thing. In addition, all this extra edge is going towards lending the hawk more reach.
3) It will also give us a heck of a point for jabbing.
So that's pretty much it. Imagine the RR Hawk with the top edge and point of a Norsemen, and you've got my perfect hawk. I'm actually saving a draft of an email to send to Dana that outlines this design, so once I have the blessing of a handful of folks here, I'm shooting it out to him.
If you have any thoughts regarding why you would or would not want this in your hand when a life's on the line, and/or what you change on it to make it more ideal, than, please, post 'em!
Hey, been lurking bladeforums for a little while, and just decided I'd like to get a hawk!
I looked around on the internet a bit, and decided I want a Fort Turner hawk, partly because I've read good things, but also because he does custom work as well.
I figure that if I'm going to ask for custom work, I might as well really try to make something ideal.
So I've come here with my thoughts on this design, and seek everyone's wisdom on my take on the absolute ideal fighter.
First, some ground rules:
1) Do keep in mind that I haven't handled a tomahawk with the intention of fighting with it yet, so my logic is from speculation rather than practice. If you see something here you know to be dumb, tell me, because I don't want to be dumb.
2) Let's assume, for now at least, this hawk will be used exclusively with one hand. In other words, FT standard-sized hawk handles are 18 inches, and that's what I'm getting. In other words, I'm mostly making the ideal hawk head! If you really, really, really think the perfect fighting hawk handle would come any different, explain convincingly.
3) There will be no attempts to adhere to any one style from a certain period or culture, furthermore, no advice on making it pretty in any way. I ask that any recommendations that are made only take into account maximizing strengths, broadening versatility, and/or minimizing weaknesses, from a combative perspective.
That about covers it, I think. Now, let's make the perfect fighter.
The foundation for the design will be the Roger's Ranger Hawk. In fact, the majority of the dimensions will be identical.
I think the spike is stout of enough to prove exceptionally durable, even when faced with the toughest task, but is long enough for a fairly deep bite. It's also wider than a typical v-hawk's spike, I think, for a wide wound channel.
The following, or bottom edge of the RR's blade is how I want it, as well: It's got enough angle downward to allow it really "grab on" for hooking, but not swept like a Norsemen's hawk so that the point might snag on clothing.
That said, I do want the upswept design of the Norsemen for the leading, or top edge. A few reasons:
1) We're not going to be as many hooking, body-manipulating type maneuvers with this edge, so snagging isn't a concern, really.
2) This will give us more length in the blade edge, which is rarely a bad thing. In addition, all this extra edge is going towards lending the hawk more reach.
3) It will also give us a heck of a point for jabbing.
So that's pretty much it. Imagine the RR Hawk with the top edge and point of a Norsemen, and you've got my perfect hawk. I'm actually saving a draft of an email to send to Dana that outlines this design, so once I have the blessing of a handful of folks here, I'm shooting it out to him.
If you have any thoughts regarding why you would or would not want this in your hand when a life's on the line, and/or what you change on it to make it more ideal, than, please, post 'em!
since people don't duel with weapons anymore it probably doesn't matter anyway but i would want speed and reach over something heavy and hard to wield.
so i don't know if you could get one very easily anymore.
:thumbup:....
