Removing a Tomahawk Handle in the Wilderness

M

Mtn Hawk

Joined
Nov 8, 2005
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270
I know very little about tomahawks but am about to purchase my first one, a Cold Steel Trail Hawk. This will primarily be used for chopping hard, dead wood for fire, etc., in the wilderness -- not throwing.

A big part of the reason I want to try a tomahawk is that the handle looks like it's much easier to replace than a hatchet handle. I replaced a hatchet handle once and it was a BEAR to remove, even with the power tools and resources I have at home. I doubt if I could have removed it in the wilderness with very few tools and resources, and no electricity.

It's an opposing situation, where obviously I want the handle to remain secure when chopping hard wood, but not too difficult to remove when I need to.

Could those who are experienced with replacing tomahawk handles please advise me on the difficulty of replacing one in a mountain/forest wilderness, and how to best do it?

Thanks!
 
Hey,MtnHawk,your best bet is a hawk with a teardrop haft,interference fit,you can pop it on good and solid by slamming it on a rock or any hard object and pop it off for storage whan not in use,I make all kind's and sell on e-bay and i throw every hawk i forge,your application sound's like a hickory haft would do just fine.Steve-Coal Creek Forge
 
Thanks, COAL CREEK FORGE.

That's just what I was looking for. I'd hoped it wouldn't be a big deal to replace a tomahawk handle, like it usually is with a hatchet handle. If a handle breaks in the wilderness I want to be able to carve a new one and put it on with a very minimal amount of tools.
 
The best way to get the wood out of the eye,and you have no tools,throw it in your campfire.It will burn out,and you can cook at the same time,it might take some of the temper out,but in an emergency who care's,It will be easier to sharpen,If you want,retemper it.Ingrammac
 
ingrammac--

The reason I posted was to avoid ever having to do something that radical but, if everything else failed, you are right, that would be an option.
 
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