Throwing Hawk Length

Nuke_Spook

Nuke_Spook

Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
582
I have been doing some research on Throwing Hawks and found a site called "The Notebook". The author Bob Spencer seems very credible. On his entry on Tomahawks he states:
Most tomahawks come with a handle which is too long. Because of the physics involved, there is an easy way to find a proper length for you. Make a fist. Measure from your knuckles to the tip of your elbow. That length should be the overall length of your hawk, including the head.
Click to expand...
http://members.aye.net/~bspen/tomahawk.html

This concept has a certain logic to it, but of course Logic is a way of going wrong with confidence. Also, I had not read this anywhere before and thought I would inquire as to whether Forum members shorten their Hawk handles to meet this standard.

Thanks,
 
Last edited:
I can not say if it is a good rule...but I can say that I have heard it described as a good rule for throwing hawks...
 
Just judging from the sight this individual is a 'target thrower' as opposed to tactical thrower. His approach seems good, different from mine but who is to say what works and does not with something with as many variables as hawk throwing. Probably a good place to start.

Best
Dwight

Best
Dwight
 
Dwight McLemore said:
Just judging from the sight this individual is a 'target thrower' as opposed to tactical thrower. His approach seems good, different from mine but who is to say what works and does not with something with as many variables as hawk throwing. Probably a good place to start.

Best
Dwight

Best
Dwight
Click to expand...

ok not trying to flame or fight just curious...but tacticaly I wold think you would not throw a hawk while fighting because if you miss.... he now has a hawk and you dont...

what am I missing here.....
 
I did not say you were trying to flame... just made a comment on what the individual was doing...Hell, I thought I was full of praise.
Excuse me, I'll get out of the way. Sorry.

Dwight
 
Dwight McLemore said:
I did not say you were trying to flame... just made a comment on what the individual was doing...Hell, I thought I was full of praise.
Excuse me, I'll get out of the way. Sorry.

Dwight
Click to expand...


no no we are crossing wire here...I was asking about target vs tactical throwing...I understand you were not flaming that is not what I was saying..I was saying that my post was not intended as a flame towards you....

just that I have never heard of tactical throwing...and that I had been trained not to through a hawk in a tactical situation because in a high stress situation if you miss...he has your hawk and you dont....I was trying to figure out if what I had been thinking was the wrong point of view and was asking for clarification
 
Boy, I tell Ya....the internet and words....forgive me.

just that I have never heard of tactical throwing...and that I had been trained not to through a hawk in a tactical situation because in a high stress situation if you miss...he has your hawk and you dont....I was trying to figure out if what I had been thinking was the wrong point of view and was asking for clarification

I first heard of the term years ago when SPETNAZ (sp) was a bit of a craze. They were doing a thing called 'Tactical Throwing' of entrenching tools, knives, and even hatchets. Now, there is a point for not throwing the weapon....I agree...BUT from the "Training Perspective" throwing the tomahawk, tactical or target does not hurt to acquire that skill. In spite of what some say, there is a historical precedence for this and quite a few accounts of our Indian Brothers doing so as they closed with an opponent. Now for me Tactical throwing involves a move-and-throw or throw-and-move. Either forward, backward, uphill, or down hill. What this does is give one a good cardio workout and experiment around with throwing at different ranges and on a variety of terrain. Tactical throwing involves accessing the hawk and throwing-move from a variety of carry positions. That's how I use it. These days I don't move like I used to so this sort of activity gets my mind off my knee pain....its a lot of fun. At ISMAC one year I taught a throwing class with padded training tomahawk at actual (Padded-Up)moving
people. It was a hit and gave everyone a perspective in how to gage lead and range. I guess I've rambled on enough.

All My Best
Dwight
 
I have been doing a lot of hawk throwing lately, all hawks I am using have 14-19 inch long hafts/handles...

I definitely prefer the 19 inch long hafts/handles... that is the standard length for a 'Cold Steel Frontier Hawk' (my favored 'thrower')...

ColdSteelFrontierHawk3.jpg
 
BTW, it makes 1 rotation in about 15 feet...
A shorter haft rotates in a shorter distance, which to me makes it harder to assure the hawk hits at the right angle... Smaller adjustments in the distance to the target make bigger changes in the angle the hawk hits the target with a shorter haft, so it is more 'forgiving' with the longer haft. Most experts I have read about recommend a haft length between 14 and 20 inches for a 'thrower'... and from personal experience, the longer the haft is within that range, the easier it will be on YOU the thrower!!!
 
In my experience fist to elbow is a good rule of thumb for a "throiwng hawk". Remember not to use a wedge either. IMO a thrower is not neceassarily a "tactical" hawk.The dfference is mainly in the handle length. and a wedge I have used my throwing hawk for chopping kindling and pounding nails. Some of my throwing buddies can get away with a long handle. Most can't b/c of the rotational spin. you gotta experiment. About 7 paces back from the target is about right. Consistency counts.
 
The 'fist-to-elbow' idea does not work in my experience...

My 'fist-to-elbow' is 15 inches, and my wife is 14 inches...

We both throw my 19 inch 'Cold Steel Frontier Hawk' much better than my 14 inch 'Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk'... Hmmmmm...

And it (the Frontier Hawk) rotates 1 turn in 15 feet, or just 5 'big' paces...

I think the length of the haft combined with your throwing technique is what helps determine the distance... and to a lesser degree, the amount of haft sticking out past your fist on the end opposing the head... and your release technique, too...
It all matters, actually...

ColdSteelVietnamTomahawk.jpg
 
I have made many different lengths for my one piece steel throwers and two piece hawks ranging from 12-21 inches. I have found that the shorter the handle the harder it is to control the spin. The best length decided between my brother father and myself is 18 inches for a "standard" hawk. Just my two cents ;)

In addition I believe a longer reach could provide an advantage in tactical situations...
 
KnghtWalkr said:
I have made many different lengths for my one piece steel throwers and two piece hawks ranging from 12-21 inches. I have found that the shorter the handle the harder it is to control the spin. The best length decided between my brother father and myself is 18 inches for a "standard" hawk. Just my two cents ;)

In addition I believe a longer reach could provide an advantage in tactical situations...
Click to expand...

We think similar...

You and 'yours' like 18 inches, me and 'mine' like 19 inches...
Very similar indeed!!! :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top