Why Don't More Fighting Tomahawks Have an Up swept Edge?

[Uath]

I don't understand this. Tomahawks have enjoyed an enormous resurgence among our fighting men. We all know the success of the RGM company and their designs. The tomahawk is an excellent weapon. It's ability to hook and back-slash (especially with a spike) make it the equal to anything. The spike may get in the way of normal wood chopping, but it can sure flatten a tire. Why not sweep up the top edge so you can stab with it???

I love the YouTube tomahawk fighting videos, especially the one put on by the Black Watch boys. They've opened my eyes to the tomahawk and what it can do. I have a whole new respect for the weapon. Not only is the tomahawk deadly and defensive, but it's a totally acceptable thing to have on any trail. Still, many recognize the tomahawk's main weakness: the up-close factor. The old caveman swing is the easiest to block, so up-close, one needs to choke up and slash or jab. Wouldn't an up swept point help? I can't see how it would get in the way of tomahawk fighting technique and it would only help by turning the tomahawk into a stabbing weapon.

 

[Jarl Bjorn]

I agree, and one of the reasons I like a proper Norse-styled hawk.

The other benefit from a combative standpoint is that we all know the trap-and-hook technique of using the beard to hook the other guy's weapon and pulling it to where it's not a threat. With a horn on the bit,you can use the top to push the other guy's weapon away, and the advantage is that now your bit is aimed right at them,so you push the weapon away and power assist the back of the hawk (use the haft if your hawk has a spike!) into the opponent.

From a woodsman's perspective it gives you a fine tip to work with, and you can possibly even get away without a knife if you are practiced in its use.

 

[M3mphis]

I'm not a tactical person, however it seems that there would be some disadvantages of that design as well. The tip is vulnerable to breakage. One of the tactical hawk's most important functions is the advantage of the mechanical lever. At that tip, there is no leverage so you might as well use a knife. Also, as you broaden the bit, you compromise penetration. Just my thoughts, like I said, I'm not a tactical type.

 

[Uath]

Yes, but penetration can be a problem in itself. I've heard time and again (I don't know how true it is) that people who used axes extensively to fight with kept them dull. That turns the weapon into a club, but that's kind of the point (Ugh pun). Also the axe blade is less likely to be chipped when left dull. I sure know you wouldn't want your axe head to get stuck in anything, like a shield...

I don't know the answer. I know that pole axes had up swept edges as well as a spike on the top. There are times when you need to jab.

 

[Storm Crow]

Speaking for myself, I considered having a "rhino horn" option on mine. But two of my three designs are built to lever with, using the curved top of the head as a rollerhead prybar, and having the upswept point would interfere. And frankly, if you hit an opponent with a forward thrust with that top point anywhere in their neck or head, even without the upsweep, it's going to do severe stunning and possibly fatal damage. Certainly knick them back and give good opportunity for a lethal follow-up shot.

 

[Jarl Bjorn]

I'm not a tactical person, however it seems that there would be some disadvantages of that design as well. The tip is vulnerable to breakage. One of the tactical hawk's most important functions is the advantage of the mechanical lever. At that tip, there is no leverage so you might as well use a knife. Also, as you broaden the bit, you compromise penetration. Just my thoughts, like I said, I'm not a tactical type.

Most tactical hawks are breachers first, CQB weapon a distant second. Yes, an upsweep could be a problem in a weaker tip, but then most tactical hawks, event he breacher types have beards that come to a fairly narrow pount, and you don't hear a lot of complaints about them breaking.

Besides, he specified a "fighting hawk", which to me, means using against flesh and blood. When you look at most historical axes, the more the progressed toward being weapons only, not tools that could be used as weapons, the edges became longer, and the bit became more pointy at either end. This seems to be the best style for fighting a person,even an armored person, and IMO, there's little chance of breaking an axe head in a person.

For breaching, it's the opposite,, you want a smaller, shorter edge to concentrate force on the cement/steel/whatever you intend to breach, and you really do want it as stout as possible to be able to be wrenched about and such.