Tomahawk Q&A Thread

[Trent Rock]

I have another question about sharpening tomahawks and axes. From a historical perspective, what did the mountain men and other trail blazers use to sharpen their tomahawks? Did they wait till they came to a small town and have them shapened on a water wheel? Carry loaded leather strops? Rectangle or puck-shaped sharpening stones?

They used obsidian soaked in duck fat to sharpen knives
At least that was one of the methods

Great thread :thumbup:
My main area of interest is the Southwest from 1696 to 1860
New Mexico and Colorado mostly
Utes, Apaches, Navajo, Comanches

I would like to ask if he could provide a "suggested readings"
I have Firearms, Traps, and Tools
I have read quite few captured by indians type books that mention the tomahawk a lot
A Narrative of the Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewit is about an armorer who made tomahawks
Also...What are some good museums to see tomahawks??
I see Fort Ticonderoga mentioned often...

 

[FSCJedi]

Trent,

You might want to try and send an email to whomever you are directing your request. I'm guessing it's Dr. Van Horne. He originally came here when Dwight suggested I invite him. He hasn't been around much since this thread was [unfortunately] lost to the sands of time. There wasn't enough interest to keep it alive, I guess.

 

[Glock17JHP]

The optimum length of a hawk handle for fighting and for throwing is usually not the same. Hawk handles usually come in a length that is perfectly balanced for fighting and chopping wood. Most average size men must cut their hawk handles a couple inches to size for throwing. This is the shorter "elbow to fist length" for most hawk throwers. So the elbow to fist length is optimum for throwing in most cases. The longer length is balanced for fighting.

My experience is the opposite... I find longer is best for throwing, shorter is best for a 'fighter'...

I find a 19 inch haft perfect for throwing (like the Cold Steel Frontier Hawk)...

I find 14 inches to be best for a 'fighter' (like the ATC VTAC)...