Your Opinion >> Spike or Poll? >> And Why?

[Wolf_1989]

There were a few pipe tomahawks made in the old days which had a spike or hammer face you could screw into the pipe bowl.

 

[CitizenQ]

My hawk doesn't have either I now have spike and poll envy. Is there any benefit in having nothing on the back?

You don't have either?!? Moff8...you are not even supposed to be posting to this topic!

 

[Dwight McLemore]

One thing that got my attention after reading Hartzler & Knowles Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersmen Belt Axes is actually the large number of these type of hawks that were actually made in the 18th/19th Century. The pipe hawk appears to have been as popular as the spike. Guys if you are in the least bit interested in tomahawk this book is really worth the time to track down and buy.

All My Best
Dwight

 

[crossada]

i tried to get that book off of ebay a few years ago Dwight. i'm not sure how much they went for new but i would say it is in the seller's market now$$$$$

 

[Wolf_1989]

IIRC spike tomahawks were particularly popular with the Iroquois, especially the Mohawks, but they often intentionally blunted the tip of the spike. I've read some accounts of them attaching the heads on longer than usual hafts for the purpose of hooking an enemy and pulling him off his horse. Even with a blunted tip, the spike is still quite capable of penetrating a human skull, but it doesn't have a sharp point your opponent could push into you during grappling.

 

[Wolf_1989]

An unusual spike tomahawk with teardrop-form eye with wrought iron blade with steel edge, saddle-welded pipe bowl, which has been modified to accept a threaded steel spike. The spike is removable and then could be used as pipe. Mounted on original maple haft carved in form of human humerus.

http://www.prices4antiques.com/weap...Threaded-Bowl-Maple-Haft-18-inch-D9993303.htm