New to hatches and tomahawks, advice appreciated.

T

_Thule_

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Apr 7, 2006
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I’m interested in tomahawks/hatches, but really don’t know where to begin. As far as instructional reading, I’ve been pointed towards The Fighting Tomahawk by McLemore (for combat instructions) and Knife & Tomahawk Throwing: The Art of the Experts by McEvoy (for throwing instructions). Are these worth investing my money in, or are their other works I should check out?

Also, where can I get a sturdy tomahawk/hatchet to practice with? Price is a bit of an issue, being that college is gobbling all my money up at the moment… I’m guessing I can’t just walk into Academy or Oshman's and pick up a good throwing hatchet?

Thanks.
 
James Keating has a good video on the Tomahawk that I recommend. If you got the bucks, Cold Steel's The Fighting Tomahawk DVD (wonder where that name came from?) that gives good instruction on Tomahawk basics. As for the McLemore fellow.........I'd watch out for him. As one of my critics said, when all is said and done, all you have is a handful of drawings. ;)

Best
Dwight
 
Welcome!

Cold Steel hawks are the best throwers for the money. Most under $30 and you wont be afraid to customize it a little. Do a search here, you'll see.

Dwight McLemore's book is THE Bible as far as hawks go. You cannot continue without it. Trust me.
 
But for the cherry on the sundae you really should go take Dwight's class on Long Knife & Tomahawk Fighting! :D
 
Ekillian, thanks for directing me to Cold Steel, any advice on which of their hawks is best for throwing?
 
Check out the V.T.A.C's I have abused a few of them and the heads stay tight, they hold a great edge and they have a great history.
 
I like the Trail Hawk for throwing. It's light, easy on the arm and I like the added weight of the hammer poll. The importnat part is to get the handle length correct. Mine is cut down to 14".
 
That is a nice target, i'd like to construct something like that this summer. How'd you put it together? I'm not a huge fan of CS but I own a frontier, norse, and trail hawk and prefer the frontier for throwing. If you want buy it from ragweedforge and ragnar will save you the trouble and thin/sharpen the axe real nice for a cheap price. If not you'll probably have to put some work into the edge for it to penetrate well.
 
Here's the targets Paul and I made for the History Channel's Tactical to Practical show. Framed with 2x4's, plywood sheet and then used bolts to hang the painted log slices. These things were monsters to move but awesome.
 

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Dwight,
The stand is made out of 3 treated 4 x 4's and the target is made out of 8 cedar 2 x 4's cut to 31 1/2" pcs put together on edge with an exterior glue. Nice and heavy and I can also take down easly to move if needed. If you would like more details let me know I'll send them to you...
 
Dusty: How is that Cedar holding up. I've got a pell up made out of a log I found on the back side of my property and it's starting really 'chek' away. I remember it having that tendency when I was taking some sculpture classes years ago. I guess because it is presented cross grain it might be really tough ? Do you think that oak would hold up?

Best
Dwight
 
Dwight, The cedar is holding up good but will eventually have to be turned over . Should last guite awhile being 3 1/2" thick. I was also thinking about using smaller log slices in front and just the cedar as a back drop.
Oak end grain may work , never tried it ( pretty hard ) Worth a try !!!
Regards Dusty
 
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