Paps Tomahawks

[MeetTheGeeks]

Stunning....

[screaming skull]

Stunning....

+ 1

[OldSchool]

Hello OldSchool,
I see that you are from Croatia, so basicaly ciupaga have something in common also with your country, as it's supposed to be a weapon of old tribe called Valassky (wołosi) which were living in carpathians mountains. Wolosi were using this axe in many different ways: as a weapon, as a cane, as an axe to cut branches. It was also helpful in walking in mountains in winter (as a pickaxe). I have also read that peaople were hunting with it and even throwing. I don't have many pictures with ciupaga in use, but I have got some from a book "Slovenske valasky, fokose a cakany"

Thank you very much sir. I am familiar with Wolosi (I think in Croatian we call them Vlah/Vlasi), they were brought on the Croatian-Turkish border in Slavonija (Croatian eastern region, just south of Karpati, southern Panonia).
I like this axes, though this was the first time to actually hold them and to learn something more about them. Those two that you have seen on my photos now hang for my wall as a decoration. Not for use, most definitely.

The shapes of these Slovenian ciupaga axes are amazing. Highly decorated. I wonder though, besides all the tasks you have written sir, why do they arch on top side of the axe head? Does it have something to do with balancing the axe or just a decoration? Same question regards the "hammer part" of the axe head, it goes "away" from the axe pole, like running away from it, unlike any other axe I have seen (besides tomahawks, which don't even have it...). Is it the matter of balance or does it make it a more formidable weapon- think of it as a spike, well, not really a spike, but a pointed piece of steel that enhances the blow, concentrating the force on a smaller area...Interesting, isn't it?

Anyway, a sad thing to say, I live less than 50 km (I guess) to the border with Rep of Slovenia, in region of Kvarner (actually not a border, when we go outside, to drink, eate and have fun, we mutually cross few mountains to get better beer on the other side...5 mins of walk and you're in a different country, gotta love it! ), and I have never seen not a single ciupaga axe here in Croatia. Different mentality I guess, different states. Croatia has to many issues. But not to ruin the topic with policy. I inherited these art pieces trough my roots reaching Slovakia.

Here we have lots of...erm...axes from Kranj (Kranjska sjekira) from Slovenia, a totally different style.

Anyway, once more, I adore your axes, nice to read that it has become a family job. Pass it on, please, keep it going! Nice hawks too.

[gorilla]

stunning work - the shiny pipe hawk is fantastic - i would love to own one...

[XII]

great workmanship, and a great variety of styles - great stuff!.

especially lovin the Polish traditional highlanders axe - that ones deffinatly goin on the 'one-to-make-someday' list...

[Richie'66]

I'm loving the 'highlanders axe'.
But all are fantastic.

[Larsanders77]

Fantastic work, i am now a hawk fan...

/Lars

[Shuggs]

Wonderful tomahawks the first 2 are incredible I'm also a fan of the hawk now

[Valar God]

Sweet work, man !

[papstomahawks]

Once again thank you for your warm welcome, I didn't suspect that I will find here so many people who like tomahawks. I'm working on some new projects: pipe hawk, frontier tomahawk and new highlanders axe (ciupaga). Stay tuned!

[puukko3883]

papstomahawks, just to let you know this beautiful ciupaga of yours;



has inspired me to give one a go !! Many thanks for sharing your book pics, these photos will help a lot !!

These have to be some of the coolest walking sticks I've ever seen and your beauty is the first I've ever seen.

Once again thanks and that's one beautiful ciupaga !!

[papstomahawks]

Great to hear that Puukko! Hope you will share your finished ciupaga with us

[papstomahawks]

Hope you forgive me two posts one after another. I've finished another two pipe tomahawks. Pipe hawks are still very demanding and complicated for me but I enjoy doing them

[puukko3883]

Hope you forgive me two posts one after another.

papstomahawks, nothing to forgive here, I could look at you work for hours, which I've been doing of late.

Your Peace Pipes are some of the finest I've ever seen, truly wonderful objects and spectacular works of art.

Two questions:
1. What type of bird feathers do you use ?
2. What brand of tobacco do you recommend ?

[papstomahawks]

Thanks for your opinion!
I'm using guinea quill feathers (or guinea-fowl) and ozark turkey quill. Those may not be historically accurate, but I like them for the pattern. As for the tobacco, I cannot recommend anything because I do not smoke