Tomahawk as a tool or weapon ...

[ThomasT]

I think a lot of psychological conditioning would be required before a normal person would be mentally prepared to split someone's head open with an axe. Much more conditioning than simply shooting. I doubt if there's much psychological resistance involved in shooting. The gorier forms of combat take some really hard men.

In the late 1990s Texas executed a woman named Carla Faye Tucker for killing another person with a hatchet. So some aren't opposed to going Lizzy Borden if the situation calls for it.

I like Tomahawks and Machetes myself. I have a Trail Hawk I put a longer handle on all because of that scene in the Patriot movie. I just used friction tape on the lower end of the handle and added a loop of Parachord. In my truck I carry an Ontario 18" machete and a short hatchet. I used to use them when looking at roofs when a tree fell on a house to look for shingle and decking damage in my job as an insurance adjuster. I have chopped a lot of limbs with the machete.

I like to watch the "Forged In Fire" show on youtube. It gave me a whole new respect for swords and medieval weapons. There is one on the French hatchet I can't remember the name of but that sucker will kill you dead in just one blow.

 

[C0untZer0]

This thread has renewed my commitment to purchase the F. Dick Large Beef Splitter:




Blade Length: 16"

Handle Length: 18"

If a tomahawk can be both tool and weapon, then so can the Large Beef Splitter !


.

 

[ThomasT]

I have read that some of the German troops in WWI carried meat cleavers with them in the trenches. That would have my attention. And who could forget the meat cleaver used in the beginning of the old movie "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte". Lopped off a hand and then a head. Poor Bruce.

 

[Fiv3r]

@ThomasT
Not gonna lie. The reason why I bought my first Trailhawk was because of The Patriot. That scene where Mel Gibson takes out a gaggle of red coats with his hawk and knife was so boss.

 

[Fiv3r]

This thread has renewed my commitment to purchase the F. Dick Large Beef Splitter:

View attachment 966028


Blade Length: 16"

Handle Length: 18"

If a tomahawk can be both tool and weapon, then so can the Large Beef Splitter !


.

There is an 80s slasher flick called Slaughterhouse where the villain uses a massive cleaver like that.

 

[ThomasT]

@ThomasT
Not gonna lie. The reason why I bought my first Trailhawk was because of The Patriot. That scene where Mel Gibson takes out a gaggle of red coats with his hawk and knife was so boss.

The light weight and speed of that Hawk impressed me greatly. It’s not much of a wood chopper but one hell of a weapon.

There are YT videos of guys that have customized theirs and they make some really nice Hawks out of them.

 

[Boattale]

I have read that some of the German troops in WWI carried meat cleavers with them in the trenches. That would have my attention. And who could forget the meat cleaver used in the beginning of the old movie "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte". Lopped off a hand and then a head. Poor Bruce.

In the scene that ends season 3 in Justified, Bobby Quarles is "disarmed" by a meat cleaver wielded by Mr. Limehouse.
Justified Season 3 Finale - Bobby Quarles Disarmed by Mr. Limehouse's Butcher Cleaver - YouTube

 

[entropy]

In the late 1990s Texas executed a woman named Carla Faye Tucker for killing another person with a hatchet. So some aren't opposed to going Lizzy Borden if the situation calls for it.

I like Tomahawks and Machetes myself. I have a Trail Hawk I put a longer handle on all because of that scene in the Patriot movie. I just used friction tape on the lower end of the handle and added a loop of Parachord. In my truck I carry an Ontario 18" machete and a short hatchet. I used to use them when looking at roofs when a tree fell on a house to look for shingle and decking damage in my job as an insurance adjuster. I have chopped a lot of limbs with the machete.

I like to watch the "Forged In Fire" show on youtube. It gave me a whole new respect for swords and medieval weapons. There is one on the French hatchet I can't remember the name of but that sucker will kill you dead in just one blow.

Francisca. They were thrown at the enemy line just before engaging, to break shields, and sow confusion and panic in the enemy line. They would bounce and keep traveling into the second and third line if they missed the front line. They were usually retrieved once battle was joined, and used as you saw.

 

[FL-NC]

Some of the younger fellows in the Ranger Regiment have taken to carrying hawks on their kit in combat. I suppose this is a combination of their aggressive nature as well as a nod to the Rangers of the 18th century and Roger's Standing Orders. Whatever the case, I say let those boys boogy-woogy. As for me, I keep one of those cheap flea market type hatchets in each of my vehicles as a multi purpose tool (hammer, hatchet blade, and pry bar) that COULD be pressed into service as a weapon if need be (although I carry guns and knives). I have one of those ontario kukris attached to my 4 wheeler. It gets used to clear brush and chop down saplings and the like around my deer stands and blinds before season starts. It has also been used a time or 2 to remove the heads on bucks that were to be fleshed out and euro mounted.

 

[KevininPa]

This thread has renewed my commitment to purchase the F. Dick Large Beef Splitter:

View attachment 966028


Blade Length: 16"

Handle Length: 18"

If a tomahawk can be both tool and weapon, then so can the Large Beef Splitter !


.

Worked in a butcher shop years ago that had an older, larger version of that hanging on the wall. Old timer said they used it until they got the giant power saw that we split carcasses with.

That thing was downright medieval.

 

[lemaymiami]

I still have a big standard meat cleaver that hasn't been used in all the years I've had it.... Many years ago my first jobs on boats were as a mate on charterboats where cutting a bunch of fish each day (some of them big enough for a cleaver...) came with the job... so I've always had an interest in butcher type blades..

Tell the truth though, if I needed something for an abrupt close quarters attack or defense... I'm much more likely to reach for an ordinary ball peen hammer (not as messy...).

 

[JShirley]

Tell the truth though, if I needed something for an abrupt close quarters attack or defense... I'm much more likely to reach for an ordinary ball peen hammer (not as messy...).

Until it hits.

 

[theotherwaldo]

My little Fort Meigs belt ax finally came in.
Got lost in the mail for a while... .

 

[JShirley]

View attachment 967798
My little Fort Meigs belt ax finally came in.
Got lost in the mail for a while... .

Now, that's right cute.

 

[daniel craig]

I am wondering if there is a military reason that a soldier would carry a tomahawk. Are they useful against Kevlar ? If it was only a more efficient way to split skulls then I don't see a reason.

Looking cool/ferocious is about 50% of war fighting.

 

[daniel craig]

Only time I really ever use one is camping and mostly for the hammer side.

I suppose I am more of a mattock guy myself, tool wise.

Roofing hatchets are awesome camping tools.

 

[daniel craig]

I found a pic of the CRKT hawk....Woods ChoganView attachment 950895

I have this one. I really want to like it but I’m just not sure. I’ve considered cutting the hammer bit off for weight decreasing.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

I have this one. I really want to like it but I’m just not sure. I’ve considered cutting the hammer bit off for weight decreasing.

Amazon or Midway sells the CRKT Nobo which is like the Chogan but no hammer, so no cutting needed, maybe sell your Chogan to someone then...

I found a pic of the CRKT hawk....Woods ChoganView attachment 950895

I have the CRKT Chogan too...like it alot, didn't like all the lacquer so I stripped and refinished the handle with tung oil, stripped and seasoned the carbon steel, then distressed the leather

Not finished yet but it's a good start

 

[Armored farmer]

Amazon or Midway sells the CRKT Nobo which is like the Chogan but no hammer, so no cutting needed, maybe sell your Chogan to someone then...

I have the CRKT Chogan too...like it alot, didn't like all the lacquer so I stripped and refinished the handle with tung oil, stripped and seasoned the carbon steel, then distressed the leather
View attachment 1003035 View attachment 1003036 View attachment 1003037
Not finished yet but it's a good start

I did a little handle embellishment before I gave the CRKT CHOGUN to my best friend's son as a HS graduation gift.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

I did a little handle embellishment before I gave the CRKT CHOGUN to my best friend's son as a HS graduation gift.View attachment 1003057 View attachment 1003058View attachment 1003059

Very nice, I'll bet he cherishes it,

 

[borrowedtime69]

I dont use tomahawks as they just dont feel & balance well for me. i have an Esee Junglas for my chopping needs, plus itll work as a draw knife and wood splitter. i have a hatchet or axe if im car camping/hunting camp.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Right now I'm working on putting handles on stone celt axes from three different continents plus an iron socketed ax from Russia.

I'm probably not going to use any of them as tools or weapons.

 

[geologist]

A fun version of the Japanese kusarigama using a Cold Steel Trench Hawk and a 2 3/4" steel ball in a Monkey's Fist knot.

 

[Slamfire]

I purchased this H&R Forge tomahawk about 1973, and it is one heck of a good cutting tool. Really chops well, of course an axe has the weight and length to cut better, but considering the length and weight, this is an excellent tool.



Not all tomahawks were made as war weapons, thought all could be used in that capacity. The tomahawk was a lightweight cutting tool that you could carry on your belt.


I use my Cold Steel shovel all the time in digging up, or planting, garden plants. It is a great tool, and if given an edge, cuts surprisingly well. It is extremely close in length, weight to the original Russian, only slight differences in construction of the socket