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It is a common myth that tomahawks are thowing weapons. Of course they are very good for throwing and as a sport this is fun. BUT, people have to remember that a thrown weapon is a lost weapon. Trees and targets don't move, animals do. It is very unlikely that you would be able to make an immediate kill and the animal will run off with your tomahawk.(or knife) Tomahawk fighters never let go of the weapon. It does however make an exellent allround tool which is why it was invented and like most tools, (flails, scythes, forks, etc) only became weapons later. I am finding some very interesting vids here. Great work.
Well certainly an interesting perspective on the topic, you really have a point here. I was more or less relating to the common perception of tomahawks, we usually do associate them with either being a weapon or of ritual importance. But indeed they are incredibly versatile tools, of course. :) Thanks for passing by.
Historical accounts have shown tomahawks were thrown quite a lot, actually. They were used just like the French "francesca" hand axes in battle. Often, multiple tomahawks would be carried for this purpose. They would be thrown at enemy lines prior to closing in for close quarters fighting. Now, obviously, if you had just the one tomahawk on you, you'd want to keep it in your hands as much as possible. But throwing the tomahawk was absolutely a historical skill utilized often.
First thing about Cold Steel Tomahawks, get ride of the set screw and using a wood rasp and sand paper, fit the head the handle, like it should be. Tomahawk heads are friction fit, always have been. I have three Cold Steel hawks, the Trail Hawk, the Norse Haw, and the Rifleman's Hawk. All very good hawks and good tools. Tool first, weapon second. But yes they are fun to throw. But I've also used them for camping and hunting tasks, since I got my first one way back in the late 70's.
Great "short" Video. I've used THawks for years. It is a great tool for those who know the many functions it has as shown on this video as well as the ones you invent along the way. This video will give beginners some great ideas too. Awesome!
I’ve been collecting and using tomahawks and small axes/hatchets since 1987. I was not sure about the CS Trail Hawk at first. I bought it, because of this video, about two years ago. It isn’t my favorite, but it is probably in the top three… and it definitely never gets left at home. It’s extremely versatile. And you make excellent points on its versatility. Thank you…
Thanks for your comment and feedback - one thought: Different tools serve different purposes, of course. So naturally we cannot expect a one-size-fits-all kinda tool. Glad to hear though that you enjoy working with the CS Trail Hawk!
Because the tomahawk handle is easily removable, the handle (if BROKEN) can be removed much easier than a regular hatchet or axe handle, which is permanently mounted. As you demonstrtaed, the head of the tomahawk can be used to shape wood and/or fashion a makeshift handle3 in the woods. Good video. Thanks.
Awesome video buddy...I have a coldsteel pipehawk I use In y gear ..tat things is irreplaceable it does everything I need it to do..tomahawk bow saw and a tracker knife and spetzna shovel...I travel light.
Salut! Well that depends on the field of application - for carving and chopping, a tomahawk is perfect due to the thin blade/geometry. For splitting wood you would definitely need a hatchet with a broad head. Or you just carve a wedge with your tomahawk and use that for splitting logs. All in all the tomahawk is more versatile. Thanks for your question!
Thanks for the comment. Best way to go would be using a power tool with a suitable bit, maybe diamond coated or so. Still I would not recommend using a tomahawk head as a bearing block, cause accidents can and do happen - nobody wants to get cut when slipping. Better to use a piece of wood.
I'm not sure why one would want to carry a tomahawk, when one already has a belt knife? It's just added weight, and one could do most things with a large belt knife that a tomahawk (or hatchet) could do. One could easily make wooden wedges which work very well to split wood. Chopping sticks to make tent pegs is a breeze with my knife. Why would I featherstick with the tomahawk when I have a knife for that (even if I did want to do that. It's not always necessary!)? Hammer? Make a baton - takes a few minutes with the saw and knife! Granted, a knife may not be as much fun as a tomahawk, but as another tool, I'd not even consider it, or ANY hatchet or axe! This is what I believe is a good basic starter kit: Saw: this is a MUST! Not negotiable. (like a Silky Gomboy, or Bigboy, depending on situation) Large knife: This is for heavy work, and usually carried on the pack, within easy reach. (In my case my Cold Steel Trail Master (San Mai III version). Bushcraft knife: this is for all more detailed work, like cutting, slicing, carving, notching, etc. (I'm currently very interested in the Victorinox Venture Pro ), worn on the belt. Multi-tool knife: This is for the multitude little tasks that special tools call for. (Here I would of course carry my venerable Victorinox Swiss Champ that I've carried for decades!. As you can see, this caters for just about any eventuality, and al together weighs around 3 1/2 pounds tops! That's about the weight of an axe. Just my thoughts. Cheers
Batoning is really an exception, not a rule kind of scenario. Can be done in a pinch but it's not ideal. The bushcraft communities obsession with it is odd. Axes will always out chop and split even a stout knife by a large margin. It's better to have a thinner knife for finer tasks and a dedicated chopping tool than try to combine them into a less effective multitool. There's a reason why the trade axe was used for almost 200 years. Of course everyone has their own preferences but I'm glad the do it all style of knife is starting to fade out.
@@benchase7537 Agreed. The axe is indeed the preferred tool for chopping up cords of large logs. The pinch comes when one has to lug it around with you. In the woods (mostly) there is a lot of wood lying around and one can generally select the sizes of branches etc that best suits one's needs, and then saw them into lengths with a lightweight saw (like a Silky or Bahco). So yeah, I share your comment about batoning - definitely the exception rather than the rule. A lot also depends on whether one has some mode of transport at the time (car, truck, quadbike, horse, donkey, mule). If one has this, then there are more options. Thanks for the comment!
Tbh I think the tomohawk is a gimmick, and is only carried for larping. It's not particularly capable in any role. It can't chop wood, and a knife is more capable of doing detail work. It's far heavier than a large knife, with a fraction of the blade edge. It's not much lighter than a boys axe, which is capable of processing wood. It makes too many sacrifices in it's primarly roles, for a miniscule reduction in weight. If people like to carry hawks that's fine, but we're incapable of objectively justifying it's usage. I have an 800g Basque. That's the weight with the handle. It's a pole headed design so it can be outfitted with a diy haft. It's head design is capable of processing far greater quantities of wood, and it's literal tomohawk weight. Tomohawks are cool, and for decades I've attempted to justify their usage, but we just can't with far greater options, that make zero sacrifices for their intend tole. A hawk attempted to be a knife, hammer and axe, and fails at all three. A hawk is absolutely better than nothing, and objectively alot cooler. Carry one if you desire, but I just think we're kidding ourselves when we attempt to justify carrying a hawk over dedicated tools.
DO YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON BUSHCRAFT, FORAGING AND ANYTHING RELATED TO THIS CHANNEL?
Consider subscribing to the Rathwulven newsletter - all for free, no obligations and you can always opt out if you do not want to receive it. Just register here:
mailchi.mp/6b4642ab28af/rathwulvenbushcraft
If you have any questions, please also feel free to drop a comment.
It is a common myth that tomahawks are thowing weapons. Of course they are very good for throwing and as a sport this is fun. BUT, people have to remember that a thrown weapon is a lost weapon. Trees and targets don't move, animals do. It is very unlikely that you would be able to make an immediate kill and the animal will run off with your tomahawk.(or knife) Tomahawk fighters never let go of the weapon. It does however make an exellent allround tool which is why it was invented and like most tools, (flails, scythes, forks, etc) only became weapons later. I am finding some very interesting vids here. Great work.
Well certainly an interesting perspective on the topic, you really have a point here. I was more or less relating to the common perception of tomahawks, we usually do associate them with either being a weapon or of ritual importance. But indeed they are incredibly versatile tools, of course. :)
Thanks for passing by.
Historical accounts have shown tomahawks were thrown quite a lot, actually. They were used just like the French "francesca" hand axes in battle. Often, multiple tomahawks would be carried for this purpose. They would be thrown at enemy lines prior to closing in for close quarters fighting.
Now, obviously, if you had just the one tomahawk on you, you'd want to keep it in your hands as much as possible.
But throwing the tomahawk was absolutely a historical skill utilized often.
First thing about Cold Steel Tomahawks, get ride of the set screw and using a wood rasp and sand paper, fit the head the handle, like it should be. Tomahawk heads are friction fit, always have been. I have three Cold Steel hawks, the Trail Hawk, the Norse Haw, and the Rifleman's Hawk. All very good hawks and good tools. Tool first, weapon second. But yes they are fun to throw. But I've also used them for camping and hunting tasks, since I got my first one way back in the late 70's.
And tomahawks are just all around the cool looking
The trail Hawk works very well for me too.
Great "short" Video. I've used THawks for years. It is a great tool for those who know the many functions it has as shown on this video as well as the ones you invent along the way. This video will give beginners some great ideas too. Awesome!
I’ve been collecting and using tomahawks and small axes/hatchets since 1987.
I was not sure about the CS Trail Hawk at first.
I bought it, because of this video, about two years ago.
It isn’t my favorite, but it is probably in the top three… and it definitely never gets left at home.
It’s extremely versatile. And you make excellent points on its versatility.
Thank you…
Thanks for your comment and feedback - one thought: Different tools serve different purposes, of course. So naturally we cannot expect a one-size-fits-all kinda tool. Glad to hear though that you enjoy working with the CS Trail Hawk!
thanks
I've had one for a while and never knew what to do with it very helpful
Interesting video. I had never thought to use a tomahawk as a multi tool.
Because the tomahawk handle is easily removable, the handle (if BROKEN) can be removed much easier than a regular hatchet or axe handle, which is permanently mounted. As you demonstrtaed, the head of the tomahawk can be used to shape wood and/or fashion a makeshift handle3 in the woods. Good video. Thanks.
Thanks for the comment. All true and valid points. :)
Sehr cooler Allrounder !
Ja, jeden Cent wert. :)
Awesome video buddy...I have a coldsteel pipehawk I use In y gear ..tat things is irreplaceable it does everything I need it to do..tomahawk bow saw and a tracker knife and spetzna shovel...I travel light.
Great video just ordered my first tomahawk
Good choice - let me know how you like it :)
Awesome, Glad to have caught this first video.
Thanks!
it's also a better offensive / anti-personnel weapon than a regular hatchet.
Bonjour tomahwak is it better than axe for bushcraft ?
Salut! Well that depends on the field of application - for carving and chopping, a tomahawk is perfect due to the thin blade/geometry. For splitting wood you would definitely need a hatchet with a broad head.
Or you just carve a wedge with your tomahawk and use that for splitting logs. All in all the tomahawk is more versatile.
Thanks for your question!
Ok Merci
Excellent video! How do you make a bow drill bearing block out of a tomahawk head?
Thanks for the comment. Best way to go would be using a power tool with a suitable bit, maybe diamond coated or so. Still I would not recommend using a tomahawk head as a bearing block, cause accidents can and do happen - nobody wants to get cut when slipping. Better to use a piece of wood.
I think the tomahawk is an all around tool as well, the same guy’s that say they need an axe are using their knives to baton with 👍😁💪🏻
Very nice. Me too I like the Tomahawk a lot.
What's up with the flag/arms of Franken (Franconia) on your sleeve?
Blessings.
Thanks. The Frankenrechen (Coat of Arms) simply refers to my origin, I was born there.
@@RathwulvenBushcraft Very cool!
No one has made a tomahawk video on the mountain man in S7 steel 😢
I'm not sure why one would want to carry a tomahawk, when one already has a belt knife? It's just added weight, and one could do most things with a large belt knife that a tomahawk (or hatchet) could do. One could easily make wooden wedges which work very well to split wood. Chopping sticks to make tent pegs is a breeze with my knife. Why would I featherstick with the tomahawk when I have a knife for that (even if I did want to do that. It's not always necessary!)? Hammer? Make a baton - takes a few minutes with the saw and knife!
Granted, a knife may not be as much fun as a tomahawk, but as another tool, I'd not even consider it, or ANY hatchet or axe!
This is what I believe is a good basic starter kit:
Saw: this is a MUST! Not negotiable. (like a Silky Gomboy, or Bigboy, depending on situation)
Large knife: This is for heavy work, and usually carried on the pack, within easy reach. (In my case my Cold Steel Trail Master (San Mai III version).
Bushcraft knife: this is for all more detailed work, like cutting, slicing, carving, notching, etc. (I'm currently very interested in the Victorinox Venture Pro ), worn on the belt.
Multi-tool knife: This is for the multitude little tasks that special tools call for. (Here I would of course carry my venerable Victorinox Swiss Champ that I've carried for decades!.
As you can see, this caters for just about any eventuality, and al together weighs around 3 1/2 pounds tops! That's about the weight of an axe.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers
Batoning is really an exception, not a rule kind of scenario. Can be done in a pinch but it's not ideal. The bushcraft communities obsession with it is odd.
Axes will always out chop and split even a stout knife by a large margin. It's better to have a thinner knife for finer tasks and a dedicated chopping tool than try to combine them into a less effective multitool. There's a reason why the trade axe was used for almost 200 years. Of course everyone has their own preferences but I'm glad the do it all style of knife is starting to fade out.
@@benchase7537 Agreed. The axe is indeed the preferred tool for chopping up cords of large logs. The pinch comes when one has to lug it around with you. In the woods (mostly) there is a lot of wood lying around and one can generally select the sizes of branches etc that best suits one's needs, and then saw them into lengths with a lightweight saw (like a Silky or Bahco). So yeah, I share your comment about batoning - definitely the exception rather than the rule. A lot also depends on whether one has some mode of transport at the time (car, truck, quadbike, horse, donkey, mule). If one has this, then there are more options. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you, showed us the way, as did the Indians.
Hallo mein Freund vielen Dank für Deine Erwähnung! th-cam.com/users/NaturerLebenPraeventionerStreben ! Gutes Video kann ich alles unterschreiben!
Danke für den Kommentar - liebe Leute, schaut mal bei ihm rein! :)
Tbh I think the tomohawk is a gimmick, and is only carried for larping. It's not particularly capable in any role. It can't chop wood, and a knife is more capable of doing detail work. It's far heavier than a large knife, with a fraction of the blade edge. It's not much lighter than a boys axe, which is capable of processing wood. It makes too many sacrifices in it's primarly roles, for a miniscule reduction in weight. If people like to carry hawks that's fine, but we're incapable of objectively justifying it's usage. I have an 800g Basque. That's the weight with the handle. It's a pole headed design so it can be outfitted with a diy haft. It's head design is capable of processing far greater quantities of wood, and it's literal tomohawk weight. Tomohawks are cool, and for decades I've attempted to justify their usage, but we just can't with far greater options, that make zero sacrifices for their intend tole. A hawk attempted to be a knife, hammer and axe, and fails at all three.
A hawk is absolutely better than nothing, and objectively alot cooler. Carry one if you desire, but I just think we're kidding ourselves when we attempt to justify carrying a hawk over dedicated tools.
What brands or types of axes would you recommend to fulfill this role?
Part of the justification, imo, IS the look -- don't discount deterrence!
@@rule7254 ya, they're cool as hell and I feel like a warrior every time I'm swinging one