Notches on top of the hawk blade

[warydragon]

I've noticed several have filed or machined notches on the top of the head of their tomahawks. I started out thinking these were for aesthetics. But, since I've been thinking more about using a tomahawk for self defense, I'm wondering, do the notches have a practical application?

It seems, if we were using the top head of the hatchet to block a weapon attack, like a stick or knife, deep enough notches might keep the attacking weapon from slipping of the end of our tomahawk as readily. They might give us more control of an attack.

Any thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Fred

 

[Pipeman]

Welcome to blade forums. File work is decorative on hawks. For self defence, get a gun ;-)))

Best regards

Robin

 

[BearKinder]

It could help some, I suppose, if they were filed all the way across.

From what I gather, though, most of the controlling of the enemy's weapon was done via the underside to catch and deflect a weapon.

 

[Wolf_1989]

I've found them useful for throwing sparks for firemaking. Put the edge of the bit into the material, hold on to the hafe and strike the flint against those notches.