Well, This Isn't Working

SeaStrike · Mar 4, 2003

I went outside today and threw my new (but cheap) tomahawk at the only this I could. It was a piece of particle board reinforced with 2x4's. I couldn't get it to stick at all. Also, I kept hitting the top of the tomahawk on the wood, so atleast I was a bit consistant.

So, what kind of wood should I get that a tomahawk will stick in? And how long did it take you guys to be able to make a 'hawk stick consitantly?

Josh Feltman · Mar 4, 2003

SeaStrike-- end rounds from a soft wood like pine make good targets for hawks.
--Josh

DancesWithKnives · Mar 4, 2003

If you can't find end rounds, try a heavy duty foam archery target (I have a crossbow-rated target).

If the top of the hawk is hitting the target, it sounds like it is rotating a little too far while in flight. Try taking a small step closer to the target and you may get a better strike on the cutting edge.

Cliff Stamp · Mar 5, 2003

Particle board or any similar composite is very difficult to stick a blade into. Just use the 2x4 and align the grain vertically.

-Cliff

SeaStrike · Mar 5, 2003

After I practice for a while, will I eventually be able to make the hawk stick from any distance?

Crayola · Mar 5, 2003

From what I know about throwing...

the answer is no. Since hawks rotate when thrown, you have to throw it from a distance where the hawk will strike head first. Typically, what you di is throw lots and find your 1 rotation, 2 rotation, 3 rotation, etc. ranges. Then you just have to get good at estimating ranges. Theoretically, if you could control how fast you rotate the hawk, you could compensate for distance variation that way. But from what I know, which I admit is limited, trying to adjust the speed of rotation isn't all that good. It is a vaery hard to control variable, and when throwing anything you'll have more success if you have fewer variables to adjust. Michael Janich says when throwing things, you should have a locked wrist, i.e. you do not snap your wrist. That way the item thrown will typically spin at the same rate, and you just need to work on getting your ranges down.

Definitely e-mail Bobby Branton and ask him these questions. He'd da throwin' man!

Cliff Stamp · Mar 6, 2003

SeaStrike :

After I practice for a while, will I eventually be able to make the hawk stick from any distance?

Yes, but awhile is a long time. You first need to be able to throw it very consistently and have it stick on one complete turn. This is a short distance and isn't that hard to nail down quickly and get a few sticks. Once you know the distance it is just a matter of doing it over and over until it becomes as natural as tying your shoes. You can now move on to double throws by just doubling the distance, and some refinement on technique (you need to throw higher arcs). You can work at in between distances simply by adjusting the speed at which the hawk is rotating. This can be done by moving your grip up and down on the handle, altering how much snap you use, and by changing how much force you apply. This isn't trivial however, so don't expect to be doing it in a few weeks.

-Cliff

DancesWithKnives · Mar 6, 2003

You can also do half-rotation throws (or 1 1/2, 2 1/2, etc.) by starting with the cutting edge facing back, in the opposite direction from which you would normally throw. At very close range the hawk will turn over half way and stick with the handle pointing up, instead of down. This also works for the distance half-way between your normal one and two rotation throws.