OT: some QA concerning Tomahawks

S

Snarlin Stef

Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
143
what is a pipe tomahawk? is it really a pipe and a weapon?

i want a good tomahawk that has real functionality. the kind that crazy horse himself might have carried into battle :D

dont care for looks i want the *real deal*... of course if it just so happens to be aas nice as mel gibson's tomahawk in Patriot then it will be ok too.

what do you native americans and tomahawk users recomend for moi? :)
 
Originally posted by Snarlin Stef
what is a pipe tomahawk? is it really a pipe and a weapon?

i want a good tomahawk that has real functionality. the kind that crazy horse himself might have carried into battle :D

what do you native americans and tomahawk users recomend for moi? :)
Click to expand...

First of all isn't Americans s'possed to be Capitalized? And would you write the name General Patton without capitals?:rolleyes: :p
Crazy Horse was one of our great Generals!!!!:p

A "pipe'Hawk" is just that, a "pipe'Hawk." You can smoke it and fight with it and many were used. I got to see one that one of the Warriors of Chief Joseph's band carried. It belonged to the grandfather of the fellow who I knew and had been passed down through the family!!!!:D
He told me to go to his trailer and look at it, by myself at that. Had he or his wife went with me and taken it off the wall I would've gotten to hold it.
I had to much respect for it to take it down myself.

We talked about 'Hawks just the other day and what was good ones and what was not. If you're planning on throwing the 'Hawk then by all means Do Not get a pipe 'Hawk as the bowl will break off in nothing flat.
A 'Hawk with a flat or pointed (bearded) top side will stick better than the rounded off type.
And the style and size of a 'Hawk should be what you like and according to your strength. Some guys may only be able to handle a "mouse'Hawk" while others are comfortable with a heavy "Polled'Hawk."
 
seems to me that pipe tomahawks are for show and display... i think that a regular war tomahwak would not have the pipe thingamajig... dont think i want a pipe.. i odnt smoke and they look too pretty ;)

btw ddean thnx for the links :D
 
Wouldn't the hollow stem weaken the shaft if the hawk were used as a weapon? I don't doubt your information, it just surprises me. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by Yvsa ..... Capitalized? ..........would you write the name General Patton
Click to expand...
Actually, he would.
He didn't even capitalize the personal pronoun "I".
Nor any other given name.
:rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Snarlin Stef
seems to me that pipe tomahawks are for show and display... i think that a regular war tomahwak would not have the pipe thingamajig... dont think i want a pipe.. i odnt smoke and they look too pretty ;)

btw ddean thnx for the links :D
Click to expand...

Think what you like.:yawn: You asked and I told you, so do with the information what you will.:rolleyes: :p

Originally posted by Kismet
Wouldn't the hollow stem weaken the shaft if the hawk were used as a weapon? I don't doubt your information, it just surprises me. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Kis the "real" one I saw way back when I was a young lad, will never forget that, was a substantial sized 'Hawk. The hollow in the handles is only about 1/8" diameter and in a sturdy Ash, Maple or Hickory handle is moot.
The "real" 'Hawks out at the Gilcrease Museum are also substantial, at least most of them.
The handles are a good 1 5/8" to 1 3/4" wide and 3/4" to 7/8" thick in the War 'Hawks!!!!
And you needed that size handle in the 'Hawks of that size. Many have up to a 5" cutting edge.

The problem with 'Hawks is the way they're portrayed in the movies. When The Patriot came out there was a huge 'Hawk craze with people buying up all kinds of examples, but mostly the pipe 'Hawks like Mel Gibson carried.
I have one of Crazy Crow's Pipe 'Hawks and it wouldn't do at all for a weapon, much to light.;)
But it works as a nice pipe for ceremonial purposes.
Another thing people don't realize about the 'Hawks is the many, many styles they came in.
The French, English and Spanish all had their own styles with the French and Spanish being the largest, usually.
The French and English were generally the ones that had the pipe bowls if they were gonna have one.
I also have an English Pipe'Hawk made of bronze that was cast out of the original English molds. I've had it for 46 years or thereabouts so I guess it's almost an antique.:D
I killed a snake with it once long ago with no damage to the edge and it has brought blood in ceremonies accidently when some dumb assed yonegi would happen to drag his or her finger across the edge. If they ain't sharp they ain't no good.:D ;)
 
What I want to know, is how did they drill the hole through the handle?? Drilling a hole that long through the center of a handle isn't exactly trivial with hand tools--at least not for me. Couple of degrees off, and it would come out the side somewhere. I have enough trouble putting a pilot hole for a knife handle where I want it, but I'm a bit of spaz sometimes.

Did they just start with a piece of wood of sufficient diameter to compensate in final shaping?
 
Originally posted by firkin
What I want to know, is how did they drill the hole through the handle??

Did they just start with a piece of wood of sufficient diameter to compensate in final shaping?
Click to expand...

Firkin, it's an old ndn trick.:rolleyes: :p :D ;)

Really, I don't know myself, but there's still a bunch of guys doing it. Ash has a pithy center and was quite commonly used for any pipe stem as it could be burned out with a hot piece of wire ran down through the center.
It takes a while even at that.:grumpy: And about the time you think you've found a good piece of Ash you find out there's something else wrong with it.;) :D

Guys, Don't go there.:rolleyes: :p
 
Less traditional, but of excellent quality, are the tomahawks of the American Tomahawk Company. They have a forum here, and Andy Prisco is great to deal with. I have one of their "Roger's Rangers" spike hawks. They cost about the same as an HI khukuri, but their higher end models get a bit pricey. Great workmanship though. And a bulletproof guarantee much like HI's.

If you want a li'l beauty that is a functional pipe:
http://www.bladeart.com/artists/rmj_forge/rmj_forge.htm

More gorgeous work, expensive though:
RMJ Forge
 
I also have one of the ATC Roger's Rangers spike hawks, but I tell ya, it doesn't stick in my target as well as a $20 hawk I picked up from http://www.thegunworks.com .

I've used the Buck Hawk on there (under forged hawks) for everything from chopping to hammering to lots of throwing, and it's been wonderful. It may not be the highest quality, best hawk running, but the three we own all have served us quite well. I've won a competition or two with it.

The only thing I can tell ya though is that if you plan on throwing the hawks, invest in a few extra handles even if you get the ATC Roger's Rangers hawk--I let my father throw mine and he burst the handle after a couple throws.
 
I have a Seneca hawk from H&B Forge along with a sheath and some handles on the way. I'll tell you what I think of it when it comes.
 
In response to your post on the Hawk forum (which someone needs to put out of its misery), take a look at the Warhawk and Warbeast made by 2hawks. I would have bought a hawk from him but there is a year long waiting list.:(
http://www.2hawks.net/
 
skeletor

yah i figured there is a long waiting list. it seems from looking at his site that he only owrks on one hawk type at a time.

the warhawk sells for 200-225
andthe warbeast is 250.

i like them lots though... pretty badass.. i wrote him an email so lets see if he bothers replying.

stef
 
He replied to an email I sent him but it took a few days. The waiting list is long because he's getting old and slow from what I understand, must be tough to work with steel all day.
 
My hawk arrived today but I can't test it as there is a thunderstorm outside. It has no frills so I won't be afraid to use it heavily but it certainly isn't an ugly piece. It looks authentic with its weeping heart and uneven surface. I'll give a review tomarrow and take some pictures while I'm at it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top