Tomahawks - useful?

[minds_eye]

I'm well versed in the use of small hatchets etc in the woods, however I'm wondering whether a tomahawk would be worth trying?

I'd been tempted for try a spiked hawk, for digging holes for the obvious.

Was just curious if these were useful and indeed legal to lug around in the woods, or if I'd be better sticking to an axe.

Thanks

[Corso]

hi mate

they tend to be quite a bit lighter than a hatchet - i've looked into and handled a few - wanted to customise a CS version but found them too light to be effective - you might be able to get a custom that would be better suited but they are desined for throwing and ... well you know...

[Hepotec]

If you're thinking about using one for digging, another way to go is making a pointed haft. It would be relatively simple to sheath it in metal to make it even harder, but I don't bother.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Corso]

loving the head made - where'd you get it?

[Hepotec]

loving the head made - where'd you get it?

I made it a few years ago.

Every now and then I get the urge to throw an axe so I make a couple of franciscas. Then I get bored and give 'em away. I made them originally to test them as historical weapons. They work well.

[Corso]

looks stunning

[RassilonMonk]

Well the First Nations used Tomahawks for centuries so I imagine they are quite useful and versatile . That said I haven't lugged one around so can't say with first hand knowledge what the significant differences are. I can't see them being more illegal than a regular hatchet/axe.

-W.

[metalbudgie]

I again found the Cold Steel Frontier hawk, although very well made, to be too light and i always deferred to the GB SFA.
Not good for splitting, too light for all but the lightest chopping.
Throwing was miss more than hit-but that could be me

For scalping a Cavalryman though....

[Ookami]

I do find them useful. They're lightweight and provide a lot of utility.

Let me elaborate. I have the CS Trail Hawk that is very light and easy to carry. It chops way better than most knives.

It also out-chopped my small Wetterlings hatchet thanks to the slim blade for better penetration and longer handle for more power.

Another potential advantage is the way the head and the handle are connected. The typical friction fit allows for disassembly and also for easy replacement of the handle with a branch should the need arise.

If you need a hawk with more power you might have a look at the Rifleman's Hawk by CS that is considerably heavier than the Trail Hawk or Frontier Hawk.

All in all, I prefer small hawks over big knives.


Ookami

[minds_eye]

Thanks guys. Kind of echoed what I was thinking.

Hepotec - I'd not considered the digging stick type arrangement so thanks for that. Food for thought

[Adz]

I saw this a while ago... IIRC someone on here posted a link to them

http://cgi.ebay.com/Craig-Barr-Hand-...item53de407913

http://cgi.ebay.com/Craig-Barr-Hand-...item53de407b9b

Can't say if it's practical or not, but with those looks and for that sort of price... I'm not sure I'd care!

[RassilonMonk]

beautiful lookinh 'hawk head. Not sure I can afford the shipping

-W.

[BODknife]

Having and using one would be so cool!

Make you feel like a real wooodsman.

Never mind the practicality.

[andrew_cc]

Hey all,

I have a couple of quick questions,

I intend on heavily customizing and decorating a tomahawk as a display piece, Im quite happy with the handle and what to do, but Ive heard mention of etching the blade. how exactly is this done, what do you use, and can patterns be put into it like this?

Also, on a side note, I do actually use them sometimes, and Ive heard of sanding the handle to make the blade fit better, forgive my ignorance, but how exactly will sanding the handle ( thus making it slightly smaller) make the blade fit better? Im not the most practical person out there, but Ive done my fair share of things, just by getting stuck in and making mistakes, and I guess we all need to learn somewhere.... so forgive that last question.



Thanks in advance for any help


Andrew

[Le Loup]

I can highly recommend a tomahawk, I carry mine with me everywhere when in the woods. I do not however recommend the spiked tomahawk, it is not practical. Nor is the hammer poll tomahawk unless you have nails to drive in.

I use a plain round poll tomahawk. It is light, the helve fits into the eye from the top like a mattock or pickaxe so the helve is easier to make and fit needing no wedge to secure it.
Good for trap construction, shelter construction, butchering meat, throwing for sport or hunting, defence, offence.

The hammer poll tomahawk tends to split shelter and trap pegs, where as the plain round or square poll will not.

Remember, there is a tool for each job. Knives are not hatchets and should not be used as such. Carry a good knife and a good tomahawk.
Le loup.