Tomahawks and Hatchets:....

[Talyn]

Unleashing Power and Precision.

In recent years, there has been a debate online about the effectiveness of tomahawks in the wilderness. Some argue that axes are more practical, while others point out that mountain men historically used tomahawks when traveling on foot due to their portability.

Tomahawks and Hatchets: Unleashing Power and Precision

During the days of the American frontier, "tomahawk" and "hatchet" were terms often used synonymously. The modern tomahawk, mass-produced and

athlonoutdoors.com

 

[Sld1959]

Excellent topic, one i fell in love with during my longhunter period trekking days. From my research and others, i have read concerning the French and Indian war time period. Frontier Woodsman, longhunters, over mountain men on the eastern frontier typically used belt axes more than hawks. The biggest issue with hawks was the rounded handle, this is especially true of modern models which are used as much for throwing as chopping. The rounded handle twists in the hand a lot when used for chopping but slips smoothly out of the hand for throwing.

Belt axes come in various sizes the two below are fairly representative, but there are a lot larger than these two also. One is a copy I made of one I saw on a trader table so unsure of its origin. The other is a copy I made of the famous belt ax unearthed in Ohio at the Fort Meiggs archeology site. This one is fairly thin and petite but works at most camp tasks rather well. This is one of the more famous belt axes and i have seen It generally carried in a linen or leather holster with long strap over the shoulder on the strong side. Both have served me very well in many primitive camps where a wool blanket or two was my only other source of heat after a small fire. Small fire hidden well to avoid attracting the indigenous peoples i knew were out there somewhere and I only had one quick shot from my longrifle.

The last is a copy I made of a French Canadian canoe ax, smaller than a full ax but larger and heavier than a belt ax. This is used when you are not on foot, but either have a pack animal or canoe to use for carry added weight.

 

[HDT08]

I really like my little Schrade hatchet
Very sharp, and easy to sharpen
Busts up wood really good too. Also very good to make fine kindling too.

 

[Belt Fed]

I ordered this thing a few years ago online, never used it. i just recently got it out of the box and going to use it to knock limbs off firewood when i go cutting. don't know how good it will be. it is pretty sharp. i done cut myself a couple time with it on that sharp point

 

[Belt Fed]

Had these for years, the wooden handled plumb was my parents and i remember it as a small kid. i have a few axes from firewood chopping and cutting but this is a hawk thread.

 

[Winchester67]

A good friend of mine of Cherokee descent keeps one under the seat of his car. Claims the prospect of a wild Indian with a tomahawk is enough to make road ragers run away. I am afraid he is going to get himself shot, but it has worked so far.

 

[KillerFord1977]

A good friend of mine of Cherokee descent keeps one under the seat of his car. Claims the prospect of a wild Indian with a tomahawk is enough to make road ragers run away. I am afraid he is going to get himself shot, but it has worked so far.

A cowboy shoot an indian.
Never happen

 

[Sld1959]

I ordered this thing a few years ago online, never used it. i just recently got it out of the box and going to use it to knock limbs off firewood when i go cutting. don't know how good it will be. it is pretty sharp. i done cut myself a couple time with it on that sharp point

View attachment 68220

Dang, thats more of a boarding ax, which is what i always thought the Vietnam tomahawk was patterned after. watch out for a rebound, that spike is wicked.

 

[Sld1959]

Had these for years, the wooden handled plumb was my parents and i remember it as a small kid. i have a few axes from firewood chopping and cutting but this is a hawk thread.

View attachment 68221

Sharpen them up a bit and either will do everything you want in a belt ax, or hatchet as they call them today. A whole lot more comfortable than a hawk too. The poll is great on them and handy. Those are every bit as effective a weapon as a hawk and a whole lot more versatile with the oval handle and hammer poll.