Throwing the ATC VTAC...

G

Glock17JHP

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Aug 23, 2007
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Went up into the mountains again on our 7,000 foot elevation hike... and took the ATC VTAC to throw for the 1st time. The whole family went, and 5 of us took turns throwing it at the end of a cut-down pine tree. We threw it for about an hour, and most of the throws were done by throwers with little/no experience, so the tomahawk hit the tree all sorts of ways, and landed on the ground, rocks, etc. many of the times it was thrown. We probably threw it 100 to 200 times altogether. Except for some wood-colored scuff marks on the head, there is no damage at all, and the edges are all still sharp with no chips or nicks. The head attachment is still totally rock-solid. I was told these hawks were tough, but I must say I am amazed!!! It threw well for the haft length, but not quite as well as my CS Frontier Hawk... but I would guess that this is due mostly to the haft length and not much else. I have 2 of every hawk and knife I own, that way I can use one and keep the other in pristine condition. I am totally happy with my ATC VTAC!!!

I would post images if I knew an easy way to do it...
 
Nice, glad it held up well!

I also have the VTAC and find it way harder to stick when compared to the CS Spike and Norse hawks... I'd say I get a stick with the CS hawks 80% of the time and a stick with the VTAC 10% of the time. I'm definitely a beginner though.
 
I was sticking about 80-90% of the time with my ATC VTAC, and stick about 90-95% of the time with my CS Frontier Hawk. Like bowling, it is all about smooth release and follow-through. I start with my upper arm horizontal to the ground, my forearm bent 90 degrees (straight up). I hold the hawk so that the haft is horizontal to the ground, parallel to my upper arm. The haft, forearm and upper arm should look like 3 sides of a square, with your forearm straight-up. Don't flip the hawk with your wrist, use the elbow to throw. Don't 'lob' the hawk. I found that 4 paces to the target worked well for me to start, but obviously that can be doubled, or whatver... since that is the distance to allow rotation. This method worked when showing 4 'newbies' how to throw it... ranging from age 15 to 80. Some did better than others, but just keep practicing, and be smooth and consistent in your release... don't try to throw it hard. Let the tomahawk's weight do the work.
 
Good to know. Also, I noticed the ATC VTAC has a much farther range of a dangerous bounceback due to the handle material.
 
In my experience (and we threw the ATC VTAC somewhere upwards of 100 times)... there was little bounceback. We were throwing at the verticle surface of a cut-down pine tree that was about 2 1/2 feet in diameter, and we were about 10-12 feet away. When the hawk missed altogether, it would end up going up to maybe 15 feet past the surface we were aiming at, at most. When the surface was hit but the hawk didn't stick, it only bounced back maybe 1-2 feet. Since we were at least 10 feet away, and the bounceback was never more than 2 feet... I would not consider bounceback to be a concern at all.
 
The ATC VTAC wasn't designed to be a thrower. I'm impressed that you got it to stick 80-90%.
 
Are you sure???

I ask because I know that Peter LaGana brought the original Vietnam Tomahawk to the military, and he would throw it in his demonstrations when showing what it could do. The ATC VTAC was sort of a joint-venture with Andy Prisco of ATC apparently updating the original LaGana design, and getting Peter LaGana's aproval. I have seen pictures of LE (don't know from where) throwing the ATC VTAC at targets, and was told military Stryker units who currently carry the ATC VTAC often practice throwing them in their off/relaxation time.

Not trying to question your knowledge, it's just that I have seen and heard information contrary to that...

IMG_1759.jpg
 
If you take a close look at the edge, you'll see a grind on the top third of the tomahawk that makes it a good slasher. The grinds an the other hawks are more rounded towards the edge. It's great if you can have it stick with that degree of consistency.
I don't think I'd be willing to throw a weapon that could be recovered by the enemy. That's only my opinion. I'm not claiming to be an expert in the matter.
 
I agree... why 'give' the enemy a weapon?!!!

I like to throw it for fun, but I can think of a 'possible' reason to throw it at the other person... one I read about in a tomahawk article a long time ago. The idea 'can be' to throw it as you rush the enemy, giving something to distract their attention as you rush them. In such a case, it wouldn't really matter if it was a good hit, you are gaining the advantage of rushing them with a distraction that might make them have to divide their attention as you attack. Sort of like throwing a beverage in their face as you attack. It might even be helpful to throw it at waist-level or crotch-level, perhaps they might even bend forward in an attempt to protect themself???

But... in most cases I would agree that you don't want to throw the other person a weapon, especially if it is your ONLY weapon!!! Even if it lands on the ground and you get into a grapple, the other guy could end up in a better position to get it!!!
 
The VTAC has been used for throwing for years. Tough piece, Good thrower....
 

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Dusty One... long time since I saw your name here!!! My fault, though... I haven't been on this forum in quite a while. Thanks for your input, and here is a well-known picture of Peter LaGana himself... throwing an original Vietnam Tomahawk...

PeterLaGana1.jpg
 
Glock17JHP...I havent been here for a long time either..Way to much going on and very little free time. Glad your enjoying your VTAC, I really like them....
 
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