The Vietnam Tomahawk & A new Forum

[Don Rearic]

This is such a suprise and very good indeed.

I have followed the story of Peter LaGana for some time, ever since I read about him and his Vietnam Tomahawk. I have the two issues of Fighting Knives Magazine that had Part One & Two of "The Peter LaGana Story."

I have been a student of the 'Hawk for some time, trying to learn the ways of it, in a Martial context and although I own two of the Cold Steel versions of it as well as one of the incredibly rare Edge Molding Co. plastic trainers for them, I have to say that I eagerly await the release of the new "LaGanaHawk."

It was always a fear that this weapon would pass into the pages of time without being revived properly.

The Tomahawk in general, including Gunstock and Ball Head Clubs, are an incredibly fascinating part of our Nation's History and the History of The American Indian of which some blood flows through me.

It will be nice to hold, train and use a Tomahawk that is true to the original design as Mr. LaGana intended. That will be passed down to my Son.

They are incredible weapons and functional tools for camping, etc. There is a comfort in having an excellent 'Hawk in today's mixed up world when you can have no "weapon" when you are camping in many places...you can have a hatchet though...

I don't think many people know exactly to what degree the 'Hawk has permeated our lives.

If you have Drywall in your home, a modified Tomahawk beat the nails in.

If you have Shingles on your roof, a modified Tomahawk put them there...and was used in the American Civil War for utility and combat purposes...

So, sometime in the near future, it will be great to own one along with the current project I read about regarding Mr. LaGana's Martial System, the book that you guys are going to publish.

I wish you all the best.

Don



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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.

 

[Bowie3]

Great to here your comments, now if we can get ATC to a create Gunstock and Ball Head Clubs - the quest would be complete. It would be great to opena package containing the Ranger Hawk, a Viet Nam hawk and a Gunstock or a Ball Head club - they would all make a nice complement to each other.

Could be a division of ATC

[This message has been edited by Bowie3 (edited 02-07-2001).]

 

[Andy Prisco]

Thanks for your comments here gents!

Hawk Trainers are certainly in the cards as we accelerate into 2001....as for Gunstock and Ball Head Clubs.....we'll see what are production director Bobby comes up with from the custom shop. BTW, we are proud to report that he's a Journeyman Smith with the American Bladesmith's Society, and has very few requirements left before reaching Master Smith status.

Don...your comment on "Hatchet" approval over other "Weapons" in camp has some meaning to Mr. LaGana. He modified the spike of a Vietnam Tomahawk in the 60's to have a hammer, and another, an adze, for his wife Sue. She kept them in the car!!!

Who would question this unassuming lady, the wife of a Tomahawk maker, with a garden hatchet under her seat

I believe she carried it for years.

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Andy Prisco,
Co-Founder, Manager
American Tomahawk Company
877-557-5200
http://www.americantomahawk.com
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[Don Rearic]

Howdy again...

Someone had E-mailed me asking what a Ballhead Club was, well...always eager to please, here one is, along with a full-size Gunstock Club.

These are both from American Indian Tomahawks by Harold Peterson. An excellent book I might add, that belongs on every 'Hawk Student's book shelf. I might have access to a couple more copies of this fine hardcover book that was reprinted in the early 90s, it is beautiful but pricey.

Anyway, here you go. The Gunstock Club you see at Gun & Knife Shows are usually very short, and although some of those were made too, it is called a "Gunstock Club" not only because of shape, but of size too...think "Last of The Mohicans" size when you think of a real Gunstock.

I have not been able to find one that did not use decoration to make up for deficiency in size or design, so I will probably hand carve one out of seasoned black walnut in the future. Then I can put minimal decoration on it, such as brass tacks and some rawhide for a grip, but I can handcarve the edge.

Hope you enjoy the photos, these are my favorite in the entire book, aside from the Tomahawks. And, you will notice, even though these are technically War Clubs, they are still in the Tomahawk realm. Enjoy.

------------------
"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.