Tomahawk Use?

[misanthropist]

I own a trail hawk I bought for fun...it is fun. Does it perform in the same league as a 19" Wetterlings, GB, or Fiskars? No, not a chance. But it is half the weight, and gives you a bit of a hammer.

I could be wrong but I always had the impression they were not based on any indigenous tool, they were just the cheapest axe a fur trading company could throw together and trade to the injuns, who would probably take an iron anything over a stone anything if they had the chance.

So I don't find them nearly as useful, myself, but they are kind of cool, and fun to mess around with.

 

[wintermute]

I own a trail hawk I bought for fun...it is fun. Does it perform in the same league as a 19" Wetterlings, GB, or Fiskars? No, not a chance. But it is half the weight, and gives you a bit of a hammer.

I could be wrong but I always had the impression they were not based on any indigenous tool, they were just the cheapest axe a fur trading company could throw together and trade to the injuns, who would probably take an iron anything over a stone anything if they had the chance.

So I don't find them nearly as useful, myself, but they are kind of cool, and fun to mess around with.

Ah, now I get it. It might not be as efficient as a dedicated axe, is close to a hatchet, but you're buying it because it's fun. makes sense! thanks.

 

[Dannyboy Leather]

I always thought tomahawks were for re-enactors or those who think that they'll have to fight off angry Hurons. Are tomahawks useful in the bushcraft sense? I always assumed that they were a weapon first and a tool second. BUT, looking through the tomahawk threads, i was thinking "purdy hawks". So from a bushcraft/camping/hiking standpoint, can they compete with an axe or hatchet?

It is hard or even impossible to throw all of your eggs into one basket with regards to the huge variety of hawk designs and quality available. I have several custom hawks that I not only use for historical re-enacting, I will also use a couple of them for woodcraft projects and general camp chores since they work so well. My preferred hawks are polled.

How will a hawk compete against a hatchet? It really depends on the design and weight of the hawk and hatchet that are competing and what they are doing. I have several larger hawks that will easily outshine a number of hatchets since much of it has to do with raw kinetic energy. A well-made, well-designed, sharp hawk can perform well for the skilled user. I find that few people have ever held a well-made custom hawk let alone ever used one.

If I had to choose between the off-the-shelf hawk and the off-the-shelf hatchet, I would choose the hatchet. Most of the production cast hawks don't do the hawk legend any favors.

Hawks don't compete with the larger axes since they were not intended to do so. Apples and oranges.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

That about sums it up.

I think terminology is getting a bit confusing as to what is "survival" and what is "bushcraft" and what is "homesteading." Anyone chunking around an axe, well, that's their business. But to me, if I'm not tasked with building a log cabin, a tomahawk or Estwing Camper's Hatchet or Estwing Shingler's Hatchet will do nicely.

What has come to be known as "batoning" is another thing that is going crazy as of late with people trying to hammer down through hardwood knots in frozen wood and breaking knives and then proclaiming they're "low quality" because they break...etc. Interesting thread over on Candlepowerforums about that very thing.

To me, a hatchet or hawk along with something like a U-Dig-It Trowel and a folding saw like a Silky is a Trio that will come in quite handy.

Don,Nice trio recomendation at the end there:thumbup:....guys I have owned all the CS hawks..and carried them, I liked them alot, and you can use them as tools in a survival situation...no doubt about it! My point is that it seems that, like the obvious "batoning" trend..there is also a trend (IMO) to carry stuff that works in the lowest common denominator. What I mean (I think) is that a coldsteel trailhawk DOES NOT CHOP like a mid sized Wetterling or GB...with a handle of comparible length...not even close. Can you chop down a tree with a hawk..sure. Do you want to..you might, but you will regret it soon enough. I guess what I am getting at is if you are going into the woods with what you think should be your survival kit..then let it do everything you need it too...like possibly making a long term shelter or water transport. I would estimate off the cusp that my Wetterling would save about 75% energy to the CS trailhawk..or something in the size. I havnt done a scientific test..but I swing a 21oz. hammer 10 hours a day..so I know a bit about arm fatigue! I think that ultra light thinking is a good thing..as long as NO sacrifices are made to having a strong and reliable kit. I say lose the weight in your pack, cook kit, and sleep gear...I rarely bring a tent with me when going out...but you can bet I have enough viable tools to get me home again, if need be. A 4inch fixed blade, SAW, and AXE should do, JMO...and the bottom line is if you like it..then carry it...because I sure as heck am gonna bring whatever I want with me I hope you guys dont think I am coming on to strong here...I just have been developing a personal philosophy on what to take with you..I have spent alot of money and time testing knives and gear...what I am figuring out is that alot of the guys on here that are fans of the trio with an AXE, KNIFE, and SAW..pretty much have it right..now ofcourse which AXE you carry is totally up to you...but I am begining to think a slightly larger AXE..maybe even a felling AXE is the way to go..yeah it wieghs more...but whats another pound? It saves so much energy in the long haul. Gene

 

[shecky]

What I mean (I think) is that a coldsteel trailhawk DOES NOT CHOP like a mid sized Wetterling or GB...with a handle of comparible length...not even close.

That isn't surprising, since the Trailhawk is the lightest of the bunch, with the smallest cutting edge. Which is why I specified size AND weight, once accounted for, the differences between hatchet and hawk start to disappear. Even then, there are other considerations, as tomahawks are not terribly standardized. As Dannyboy Leather says, there's a huge variety of hawk designs and quality available.

 

[Myal]

Here in Aus , the native tomahawk was pretty much equal parts weapon and tool , but the tool aspect of it wasnt so much for limbing or felling trees as chopping into trees to get possums out or to get to the wild honey , or to get the grubs out .

When the place was settled , the settlers with all their advanced technologies and steel axes were suprised at how the natives could cut and use wood as iorn bark using only stone hatchets , but their own steel tools would literally roll over trying to cut the stuff hence its name I spose ...

its been rumored that the axes and hatchets with the curved cutting face are in imitation of the native design here ... I dont know how factual that is tho . Tho the stone hatchets I have seen all have a pronounced curve on their cutting edge

I find an axe is better for limbing and chopping down trees

I dont own an American style 'hawk , I have a couple hatchets tho , they doo good for me when I take them out , I keep them shaving sharp , they have been used to clean fish , skin animals , as meat cleavers , the back sees duty as hammer often , they do good when I grip the head and use them to shave wood like a plane , and if I want I can chop stuff with them too

I personaly wouldnt go smaller than a hatchet , Im not accurate enough to make good use of the smaller cutting edge .