Why a Tomahawk?

Dwight McLemore said:
Unbreakable. But I was wondering if so many people love them maybe there is some skill set they have that I'm missing out on I initially thought you had some agenda here but after reading the other replies and responses here is my 2 cents. I sure hope it is of use. The bottom-line is that I don't really have an answer to why so many of us start drooling all over ourselves when it's 'Show & Tell' time and a group of guys get together and talk/train tomahawk. My wife has asked me this so many times that she has finally stopped shaking her head and started smiling. I think she's got it. At the risk of sounding emotional and esoteric here, all that can be said is that we like tomahawks not because they are all that practical in today's world or they present us with some great superior fighting skills. Most of us don't run around with it in a carry position unless we are indeed in the woods ,'the Bush'or prehaps a war zone. The tomahawk is both tool and weapon and it has been around a long time. For me it's not a dueling weapon, although there are some 'names' out there that can make it do anything they want. It's 'Fighting weapon' that has evolved into something that is uniquely American. It's OUR folklore, buddy. It cross cultures, you see axes and tomahawk like weapons used widely. Pick up a tomahawk, get outside and swing it around. Throw the hell out of it and you'll get the strangest feeling, that maybe, just maybe "I'm supposed to be doing this." It is almost like touching the face of one's ancestors and history. Asking guys why they like tomahawks is sort of like asking the guy on the big Harley why he likes motorcycles.....he just does. Is it practical ?....sometimes. Is it the ultimate fighting weapon? On occasions. There is nothing at all very practical about getting together with friends and training/throwing tomahawks, the odds of us having to use on these days are not very high but it sure does fulfill some need. Some ancient calling. Like the Bowie Knife when you say 'tomahawk' people get interested. You see my friend I don't have any answer for you. All I can say is that using the tomahawk is like dancing with a beautiful (redneck) woman, till you feel those hips move beneath your hands you probably won't understand. Go train with one and you'll find out. (The Hawk I mean). Sorry to wax foolish but I am afraid that is about it.
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Oh man...that's beautiful
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I did a little reading on early 'hawks, especially those used by 1800's 'mountain men.' The concept gets blurred quickly, and my impression is that many older 'hawks were closer to today's hatchets like the Snow and Neally or Granfors belt axes.
Regardless, this is one of man's oldest tools and damn useful. Great survival tool in a lightweight package. It's also interesting that 'combat' tomahawks are still being made despite the relative infrequency of HTH combat. Is using a 'hawk more instinctual than using a knife?
 
All of us modern guys/gals have a tendency to lump all of the axe-like weapons into the category of 'Tomahawk'. Actually there were quite a few different types available here in early America. The book to get is Hartzler & Knowles Indian Tomahawks & Frontier Belt Axes here is a list of what is probably the correct nomenclature listed there.
Trade Axes, Spike Tomahawks, Halberd Battle Axes (coverted to tomahawk), Spontoon Tomahawks, Riflemen's Belt Axes, Missouri War Hatchets, Woodland Pipe Tomahawks, Brass Pipe Tomahawks, Pewter Pipe Tomahawks, Plains Pipe Tomahawks, Navel Boarding Axes. Another interesting section is on documented Tomahawks Makers (Past/Present). This is a great book that sort of puts things in order.

Best
Dwight
 
Rotte said:
...Is using a 'hawk more instinctual than using a knife?
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It's a club bro...a club with a cutting edge on the business end...I don't believe there is anything more instinctual...other than making babies. :thumbup:
 
Considering that the oldest fossilized human found (Oetzi) had both, I'd say that knives and hatchets -- in whatever form -- are literally as old as man.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Considering that the oldest fossilized human found (Oetzi) had both, I'd say that knives and hatchets -- in whatever form -- are literally as old as man.
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http://www.archaeologiemuseum.it/p2310_uk.html

http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/misc/iceman.html

One of the most stunning discoveries in Ötzi's possession was a copper axe. Why? Because scientists had long believed that humans in Italy were melting and shaping copper with such precision only about 4,000 years ago, more than 500 years after Ötzi lived.

Additionally, analysis of Ötzi's hair seems to indicate that he did much copper work himself. Truly, this mummy is forcing archaeologists to revisit what should be considered the Copper Age.

The handle of Ötzi's axe was 2 feet long and made of yew wood. The blade was less than 4 inches long, its edge slightly curved with small points at its tips. The blank of the blade was cast. This means some quantity of metal was melted in a thick-walled ceramic pot by heating it with a bellows to at least 1,100 degrees Celsius, then poured into a mold.

Surface analysis of the axe head shows the metal is 99.7 percent copper, 0.22 percent arsenic, and 0.09 percent silver. Arsenic and silver trace elements mean the blade was probably made of copper from a local source.
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Rotte said:
Is using a 'hawk more instinctual than using a knife?
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in my opinion only i would say yes. i was following a thread in the practac forum by Mercop where he tested a bunch of people with knives. his findings showed people do not thrust instinctually but slash instead. a slash is nothing more than a chop is it not:D
 
crossada said:
in my opinion only i would say yes. i was following a thread in the practac forum by Mercop where he tested a bunch of people with knives. his findings showed people do not thrust instinctually but slash instead. a slash is nothing more than a chop is it not:D
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This is -- without a doubt -- proof positive that hawk rules knife! :cool:
 
5000 years of Tomahawks. Not bad. And that's a nice looking 'hawk too. That wasn't someone's first try.

So why a tomahawk? Because 175 generations of woodsmen can't be wrong.
 
PantherCadet said:
A tomahawk is a better weapon than a hatchet. It's lighter and thus faster and has a straight handle to allow for an easier release when throwing.
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This sums up my attitude, too...

Oh, and I think one should have a variety of all sorts of weapons...
 
PantherCadet said:
A tomahawk is a better weapon than a hatchet. It's lighter and thus faster and has a straight handle to allow for an easier release when throwing.
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Since one of the accepted definitions of the adjective "tactical," is...
"characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure: tactical movements"
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...then a tomahawk must be a tactical axe! :thumbup:
 
I would take the hawk over a knife or machete any day of the week for CQC. Right now I am working on a DVD with RMJ Tactical and we hope to do our first Tacatical Tomahawk Training Camp next year. The DVD should be out at Blade.
 
mercop said:
I would take the hawk over a knife or machete any day of the week for CQC. Right now I am working on a DVD with RMJ Tactical and we hope to do our first Tacatical Tomahawk Training Camp next year. The DVD should be out at Blade.
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Mercop's gonna hava TTC for CQC PDQ and thatsa FYI IMHO.

Carry on.
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I also like a hawk for CQC... over a knife, at least...
I look a lot at REACH with a non-firearms weapon...
 
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