two-handed Hawk fighting

T

tommyhawk

Joined
Dec 15, 2004
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Howdy,
me and my cousin have been attempting to master Hawk fighting. we have occasionally found that an over head block is strengthened by using both hands (one on the handle, one behind the butt of the blade) we noticed that from this point (and a few others) you can move quickly into a two handed blow or slash, which is suprisingly quick and freakishly powerful. does anyone else ever use both hands? are there any manuals instructing how to do so?
 
I think that the lack of manuals is a bad thing, but a good thing as well. Most people dont really know how to use a hawk effectively, which is something you can discover through sparring. I think that is a good thing, because some of the tricks no one would ever thing about (using the hawk like a sword for a stab to the head, hooking arms/necks etc) These are good things to know because the hawk is a powerful and effective weapon capable of one shot stops. If I were to actually be forced into a situation where I would be using a hawk/knife combo, these tricks may just be enough to bail me out.

As far as two hands, yes, Ive looked at the same thing, and you are correct about the speed. You use your other hand as a pendelum to increase speed.
Here's another tip...next time you go for a full power swing, drop your body down as the edge goes horizontal for more power. Its more effective than leaning into the strike.
 
ILIKESA,
Your right that the lack of manuals increases the creativity of your sparring sessions, but I'm planning on teaching this art to a few people, so it would be nice to have a manual to work off of. that one you suggessted to me on the cold steel site is good, but vague.
thanks for the tips, could you explain the last one in more detail? the one about dropping your body as you strike?
Also, anymore techniques you can give me would be appreciated. (I think I will try to set up a tomahawk fighting website. I'd love to have the input and comments of knowledgable Hawkers)
 
The technique I was referring to was mentioned on the Cold Steel thing...I have yet to find anything more on tomahawk fighting myself.

As far as the power technique, which I probably wouldnt use, as it will get you off balance, it does allow almost full body weight behind the swing. When you go for a power shot, you have opposite foot forward. If you have taken any judo, its a similar movement to Seoi Nage. You draw back for the swing, and as you swing, you go from bent knees to standing on your tip toes with the blade swinging almost below you/blade horitzontal to target. You have your body momentum going behind the blade. Its harder to describe and easier to show. But as I mentioned, you will be off balance.

The other technique is really similar, but leaves you less off balance. Opposite foot forward, draw back, swing and as your hawk head nears the target bend your knees and put your rear end near the ground. (a crouch) The hawk head will be accelerated by the drop as well as having a lot of body weight behind it. I hope this explains it a little better, but like I said before, it would be easier to show.

It is important to remember with these 2 that power is coming not from the arm/shoulder, but also from the waist, hips and stomach, giving you that much more power.
 
The only stuff I've found is Lemore's book from Paliden,I know can't spell,and Keating has 2 vids on his web site one for general stuff and one on basic fighting.
 
IlikeSA,
O.K. I understand those techniques now. thank you.
but your right, they do put you really off balance, especially the one where you rise instead of drop. (I stumbled trying it and I wasn't even sparring anyone!) but they DO give you some power!
I thought I could give you one of my moves in return:
I the midst of a spar, it seems common that your partner, after heavy defensive moves, remembers their offense and tries a over handed or side arm swing, rotate your strong-side foot behind you, (like in small-circle jujitsu or judo) then hook his arm or his weapon and continue to pull him in his original path untill he either trips on your foot or goes off balance. then un-hook and strike him in the back.
this one is hard to describe but easy to pick up. especially if you know judo or jujitsu.
hope you can use it, it's one of my best moves.
happy holidays
 
Keating and Caracci are both big fans of two-handed movement. While that probably wouldn't fare well on a shorter handled Hawk (although Caracci did some two handed techniques with the Vietnam Tactical) a handle over 19" serves this approach well.

I believe Jim illustrates several offensive techniques on his video using two hands...the critical safety issue being the forward leg.

CJ used two hands on blocking techniques...I attached an image below where he demonstrated this with our own Brian Jones at a Tomahawk CQB class a few years ago.
 

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Here's a similar technique by the man himself, Mr. LaGana...essentially, CJ switched his primary weapon hand from what is demonstrated here...but the effect is probably identical.

I believe the rifle is an 03' Springfield.
 

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ANDY PRISCO,
awesome pics, andy! where would I go to learn more about the two handed tecnique? do you use this technique?
also, did you get my reply post on reverse-head fighting?
 
Hey, I like that idea! Im going to have to spar it out to try it. I suppose one could use a lot of aikido/judo techniques or at least base ideas to further their own techniques with the tomahawk. The ideas of pull when pushed could work really well.
 
A double, or reinforced, grip will definitely stop just about everything that comes your way. However, to avoid the ultimately self-defeating repetition of block, strike, block, strike (one of you will predict the other's next move and it's all over for the other guy!), I might *suggest* the following ideas:

- Block, but immediately release one hand and grab his hand, wrist, or (based on what he's coming at you with) his weapon. This gets you a second of control of his weapon hand, and you might effect a good disarm or takedown.

- If you do the above, and grab his hand for even a second, remember your other hand: it's still holding your weapon. As you grab his hand, wrist, or weapon, immediately strike with your hawk. Don't give him a chance to realize your grab wasn't your goal/

- Practice one-handed and two-handed weapon retention. Using your double grip, have your partner try to wrestle your hawk away. Try to prevent him. Within a few minutes, you'll be able to wrench, twist, or curl your weapon out of his grip.

- If the weapon retention drill is working for you, try it against his weapon: let him strike, and use your double grip to stop his strike. Immediately experiment with some of your weapon retention moves, and you should find it almost instinctive that you can block and twist your weapon free of his weapon...setting you up for a single-shot counter attack inside his range.

- If your hawk handle is long enough, use it as a lever to press his weapon or hands into painful locks. Don't keep him in a lock! Put him in one long enough to clear and stabilize his attack--then release him for your counter.

Hope this helps.
 
Say...this is giving me some ideas. I looked closely at the two handed block that was pictured earlier..and if he jerked his blade straight down it would hook or cut and possibly disarm the opponent. Just a thought I thought I would toss in.
 
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