I'm an American with Cherokee Native ancestors . I own and use a tomahawk as part of my essential gear . It's both a very good tool and weapon . I've never had to use it against another man . But I've used it to clear fallen trees blocking countryside roads after storms , used it to process firewood , processed animals for food , and even used it to cut vegetables . As shown in the film The Patriot , tomahawks were very important tools and weapons to American people both native American and Colonists . In dense forest combat when muskets and arrows failed , the fighting became hand to hand . This is where the tomahawk ruled . Major Robert Rogers , an American veteran of the French and Indian War , wrote Roger's Rule of Ranging and created what would become the US Army Rangers . In his Rules he required his men to have a tomahawk or hatchet , sharp and serviceable at all times . It was an essential piece of kit in those days . In the 18th and early 19th centuries ownership of a tomahawk was seen as a symbol as being a warrior and leader among Native American people . Warriors would own a pipe for ceremonial smoking of tobacco and a tomahawk for war . The pipe and tomahawk would be combined as one , called a pipehawk , signifying that the weilder had the power to make peace or war . There is a term in American parlance "Bury the Hatchet" that means "Make Peace" . If I'm not mistaken , the word Tomahawk comes from the Iroquoian language group Tah-Mah-Hah-Ken , referring to a stone headed axe . The English and French brought steel axe and hatchet heads to the Native Americans as trade items , replacing the stone heads they used to make tamahaken . Thanks for the video , and Cheers , Mate !
Mate, drop me a line on info@bushloreaustralia.com.au and I'll send you a free link to the inside of the course. There is are a few lectures in the course that cover the history of tomahawks. Rich H.
I've used a tomahawk against humans. In Eastern Europe we still have traditionally living gypsies and why do they reinforce stereotypes by actually stealing and breaking into houses is beyond me... So anyway - while working late at night I heard a noise in the backyard so I looked out the window. Some people were trying to steal half a ton of steel and iron in an inconvenient form of an old central heating boiler we wanted to sell to local scrapyard after replacing it with a new one. Without thinking I stormed out wearing only my underwear and grabbed the first thing I got my hands on which was a tomahawk lying at the door. The horrified looks on their faces when they froze for a second before shouting and running away in panic make me laugh to this day. PS I technically robbed them because they never came back for the cart they tried to put the boiler on lol PS2 Nobody got hurt but their pride and my foot when I tripped on the doorstep but apparently naked dude with an axe is a very strong psychological weapon. They should've used that in afghanistan, I bet there would be no talibans left by now.
Great video Rich. Several years ago I attended a self-defense seminar and during an instructors demo he said that the one weapon that people fear the most is an edged weapon. Thanks for sharing your experience. Looking forward to more discussions on edged weapons.
One thing that my son and I have worked out (using rubber trainers) is to have a knife in your "off hand". The weakness of a tomahawk alone is that your opponent can rush in and get past the head, and go for close in fighting. The Bowie knife in my left hand, makes it very uncomfortable should they attempt that.
practice switching handling to a high grip in that case and "punch" with it, or a wide grip and butt the top or bottom of the axe against your opponent, using it almost like a spear, fighting stick or staff, but with added weight. you can also use a wide grip to close the gap and swing closer to your body,
Dude I came up with that same philosophy about 9 years ago. I had a primitive bowie with a 13 inch blade in my left hand and a fire hatchet in my right. I used my boxing concepts when executing a practice attack. Jab right hand left hook. I couldn't see anything swanting to continue to fight if all 3 strikes landed.it was also great exercise to.
The Norman's were know for their axe warfare. They hurld the axe at the enemies and run behind it.the axe tumbles in an unorthodox manner the enemy could not time,and would get cut or thumped by the handle as it skipped accross the battlefield. The Norman's would retrieve thier axes and finish the job
I can see why the barbarian or viking gets so much associating with axe warfare. Like you said the aggression and then following the space you need to unleash that. Whereas roman legion warfare you notice packed in incredibly tight formations with shields and no gaps. So spear and short swords became the weapon of choice. As an individual a spear and an axe over a sword any day. But with a well trained group....id want shields spears and swords. Polearms being an awesome blend to deal with the heavier armor...spear with spikes and axe ends to help deal with even more scenarios.
Romans did utilize gaps and their formations weren't very tight, quite the contrary, it was supposed to allow another man to come through the gap. Spears were primarily used in earlier eras before the reform of samnite wars when romans were actually getting their butts kicked a lot - they just used regular tightly packed phalanx back then. After reforms only triarii and later some auxilia were armed with spears and they used more oval, flat scutum different to the iconic early-mid imperial legionary look. Interestingly enough that reform and type of warfare was inspired partially by gallic warriors (scutum itself - both word and the shield - came from the north). And don't forget about pila which were technically a lot more important in the kit than the shortsword. Using a shortsword, on the other hand, was just an effect of adopting those large unwieldy shields which don't really allow for maneuvering and force a type of fight that wouldn't let the soldier use longer sword's reach anyway. Cheers.
Phillip Sardinha I agree, the viking combined the tight shieldformation with the short or long sax sword in the front lead, second lead with the dane axe (long shaft/pole) to hook down enemy shields or just chop over the fron lead. and ofc spears.
I was just looking around youtube for fighting tomahawk vids and yours is the first, the irony is you are using the same Cold Steel Trench Hawk that I train and teach with, its a fantastic piece of kit. Many of my fellow martial artists and military prefer a smaller handled weapon, but I love the 19 inch Trench Hawk, and utilize it at very close range. I have brought many people around to its value, with the application I teach. Contrary to what Rich says, it is a very sophisticated weapon in the right hands with the right training. It can be used very ,effectively in a very dynamic way, trapping with both the beard (bit) and the spear, slicing, filleting, puncturing and stripping, leveraging with handle and smashing with both the head, side face and butt of the handle. As I said prior, only of course with the right training, conceptual understand of the motion, and physical geometrical understanding, otherwise you will get tied up in knots. Salute.
Hey Buddy, quite interesting thoughts that you bring up - thank you. As a long-time axe-user for timber production and bushcraft, i am glad to hear you Point out some aspects of the weapon character. Good Video..
I fought hard in a re-enactment group called Islendiga. We battled for years in a controlled environment...but we did proper battle. We trained a good six months before pulling our first blows. Pulling blows means you train and train with axe or sword or spear and you learn to attack with what appears to be full force...but you pull your blow at the last second. We did Moomba festival in Melbourne Australia and I died ten times in the street that day....each time believable because we learned when to pull our blows to make it safe and when to let loose and kind of kill each other. My axe...from 15yrs ago I still have mounted on a wall. An amazing tool...wood processing, shelter building, primary or secondary defense pending your scenario. Kudos
I almost never use this type of hawk except for outdoor stuff. If it was a combat situation I would use a ball peen hawk/peace pipe hawk. Doubles as both an axe and warhammer making it very effective at dealing damage through light armor or exposed areas. Great video though and excellent advice.
My ancestors used these on the plains of North America, we don’t use them anymore like this if at all..but pretty cool to see the use of them non the less
I enjoy throwing a tomahawk but would never do it in a fight.... Unless I had 2 Tomahawks lol. If i did fight w one I would have to go berserk. But thats gonna be me w any melee or edge weapon as I am no pro
I would like to ask if you would recommend one of these tomahawks that I will mention? I'm thinking of buying one. First of is two RMJ's. The "Jenny Wren" & "3D Syndicate Raven". Or better, which RMJ would you go for? Second is the two Spyderco's, "SzaboHawk" & "Warrior Hawk". The third option for me is something I truly dream of. It's the Winkler & Sayoc, "WK SnD Full Size Axe". Don't know if I should go for Micarta, Walnut, Maple or Rubber handle? He also have "Tribel Treatment" for better grip, leather wraps on the grip points. I know there's cheaper alternatives, but I do love art and beauty but also it must be as useful as can be, best possible. Maybe you have some other options as well? Hope you can use some of your pressus time to help me out a bit. I'm happy with more than one option. This will be my first tomahawk, so it will mean a lot for me if you could help me choose. I'm thinking of collecting, so if you give me several options, I will have something to follow in the future for my next buy and so.😊🙏. Most sincere Thomas Aasen, Norway
Oh, and I just found this one: Spyderco Genzow HatchetHawk. It looks like a very good tool as well. 16" long, hammer instead of spike. Drop forged 5160 tool steel for the axe head and aluminum/polypropylene handle .
This is not a fellow to mess with, with or without a tomahawk in his hands. With a tomahawk I wouldn't want to be within 50 ft of him even with a firearm.
At the end of the day an axe is just an improvised weapon and to quote someone 'the axe looks like a great weapon, until you have to use it'. Too many disadvantages for me.
When you wield the Tomahawk gently it makes you look Feminine..lol...lol.. Not taken away from women who use tomahawks..lol..but it is meant to be a direct aggressive combat weapon.
Mate, drop me a line on info@bushloreaustralia.com.au and I'll send you a free link to the inside of the course. That might make it less feminine :) my little girl here wields a hawk and her feminine grace in doing so is fearsome. Rich H.
I'm an American with Cherokee Native ancestors . I own and use a tomahawk as part of my essential gear . It's both a very good tool and weapon . I've never had to use it against another man . But I've used it to clear fallen trees blocking countryside roads after storms , used it to process firewood , processed animals for food , and even used it to cut vegetables . As shown in the film The Patriot , tomahawks were very important tools and weapons to American people both native American and Colonists . In dense forest combat when muskets and arrows failed , the fighting became hand to hand . This is where the tomahawk ruled . Major Robert Rogers , an American veteran of the French and Indian War , wrote Roger's Rule of Ranging and created what would become the US Army Rangers . In his Rules he required his men to have a tomahawk or hatchet , sharp and serviceable at all times . It was an essential piece of kit in those days . In the 18th and early 19th centuries ownership of a tomahawk was seen as a symbol as being a warrior and leader among Native American people . Warriors would own a pipe for ceremonial smoking of tobacco and a tomahawk for war . The pipe and tomahawk would be combined as one , called a pipehawk , signifying that the weilder had the power to make peace or war . There is a term in American parlance "Bury the Hatchet" that means "Make Peace" . If I'm not mistaken , the word Tomahawk comes from the Iroquoian language group Tah-Mah-Hah-Ken , referring to a stone headed axe . The English and French brought steel axe and hatchet heads to the Native Americans as trade items , replacing the stone heads they used to make tamahaken . Thanks for the video , and Cheers , Mate !
Mate, drop me a line on info@bushloreaustralia.com.au and I'll send you a free link to the inside of the course. There is are a few lectures in the course that cover the history of tomahawks. Rich H.
Wow, this comment is super useful and interesting. I dodn't know, that even rangers had to wear them.
I've used a tomahawk against humans. In Eastern Europe we still have traditionally living gypsies and why do they reinforce stereotypes by actually stealing and breaking into houses is beyond me...
So anyway - while working late at night I heard a noise in the backyard so I looked out the window. Some people were trying to steal half a ton of steel and iron in an inconvenient form of an old central heating boiler we wanted to sell to local scrapyard after replacing it with a new one. Without thinking I stormed out wearing only my underwear and grabbed the first thing I got my hands on which was a tomahawk lying at the door. The horrified looks on their faces when they froze for a second before shouting and running away in panic make me laugh to this day.
PS I technically robbed them because they never came back for the cart they tried to put the boiler on lol
PS2 Nobody got hurt but their pride and my foot when I tripped on the doorstep but apparently naked dude with an axe is a very strong psychological weapon. They should've used that in afghanistan, I bet there would be no talibans left by now.
Entertaining read. Thanks.
Great video Rich. Several years ago I attended a self-defense seminar and during an instructors demo he said that the one weapon that people fear the most is an edged weapon. Thanks for sharing your experience. Looking forward to more discussions on edged weapons.
One thing that my son and I have worked out (using rubber trainers) is to have a knife in your "off hand". The weakness of a tomahawk alone is that your opponent can rush in and get past the head, and go for close in fighting. The Bowie knife in my left hand, makes it very uncomfortable should they attempt that.
practice switching handling to a high grip in that case and "punch" with it, or a wide grip and butt the top or bottom of the axe against your opponent, using it almost like a spear, fighting stick or staff, but with added weight. you can also use a wide grip to close the gap and swing closer to your body,
Dude I came up with that same philosophy about 9 years ago. I had a primitive bowie with a 13 inch blade in my left hand and a fire hatchet in my right. I used my boxing concepts when executing a practice attack. Jab right hand left hook. I couldn't see anything swanting to continue to fight if all 3 strikes landed.it was also great exercise to.
The Norman's were know for their axe warfare. They hurld the axe at the enemies and run behind it.the axe tumbles in an unorthodox manner the enemy could not time,and would get cut or thumped by the handle as it skipped accross the battlefield. The Norman's would retrieve thier axes and finish the job
I can see why the barbarian or viking gets so much associating with axe warfare. Like you said the aggression and then following the space you need to unleash that.
Whereas roman legion warfare you notice packed in incredibly tight formations with shields and no gaps. So spear and short swords became the weapon of choice.
As an individual a spear and an axe over a sword any day. But with a well trained group....id want shields spears and swords.
Polearms being an awesome blend to deal with the heavier armor...spear with spikes and axe ends to help deal with even more scenarios.
Romans did utilize gaps and their formations weren't very tight, quite the contrary, it was supposed to allow another man to come through the gap. Spears were primarily used in earlier eras before the reform of samnite wars when romans were actually getting their butts kicked a lot - they just used regular tightly packed phalanx back then. After reforms only triarii and later some auxilia were armed with spears and they used more oval, flat scutum different to the iconic early-mid imperial legionary look. Interestingly enough that reform and type of warfare was inspired partially by gallic warriors (scutum itself - both word and the shield - came from the north). And don't forget about pila which were technically a lot more important in the kit than the shortsword. Using a shortsword, on the other hand, was just an effect of adopting those large unwieldy shields which don't really allow for maneuvering and force a type of fight that wouldn't let the soldier use longer sword's reach anyway. Cheers.
Phillip Sardinha I agree, the viking combined the tight shieldformation with the short or long sax sword in the front lead, second lead with the dane axe (long shaft/pole) to hook down enemy shields or just chop over the fron lead. and ofc spears.
I was just looking around youtube for fighting tomahawk vids and yours is the first, the irony is you are using the same Cold Steel Trench Hawk that I train and teach with, its a fantastic piece of kit. Many of my fellow martial artists and military prefer a smaller handled weapon, but I love the 19 inch Trench Hawk, and utilize it at very close range. I have brought many people around to its value, with the application I teach. Contrary to what Rich says, it is a very sophisticated weapon in the right hands with the right training. It can be used very ,effectively in a very dynamic way, trapping with both the beard (bit) and the spear, slicing, filleting, puncturing and stripping, leveraging with handle and smashing with both the head, side face and butt of the handle. As I said prior, only of course with the right training, conceptual understand of the motion, and physical geometrical understanding, otherwise you will get tied up in knots. Salute.
Hey Buddy, quite interesting thoughts that you bring up - thank you. As a long-time axe-user for timber production and bushcraft, i am glad to hear you Point out some aspects of the weapon character. Good Video..
Please can we have more videos on this subject matter 😎👍
I fought hard in a re-enactment group called Islendiga. We battled for years in a controlled environment...but we did proper battle. We trained a good six months before pulling our first blows. Pulling blows means you train and train with axe or sword or spear and you learn to attack with what appears to be full force...but you pull your blow at the last second. We did Moomba festival in Melbourne Australia and I died ten times in the street that day....each time believable because we learned when to pull our blows to make it safe and when to let loose and kind of kill each other. My axe...from 15yrs ago I still have mounted on a wall. An amazing tool...wood processing, shelter building, primary or secondary defense pending your scenario. Kudos
The axe is the one weapon and tool I will bring as a backup weapon hell iv killed a wild boar with ome so I know the damage they can afflict
1:39 gentility not to be confused with genitility
Brilliant as always, Rich.
Its good to know that the tool you use in camping can be used to protect yourself from danger .
Yes. I do have an affinity with the axe.
I almost never use this type of hawk except for outdoor stuff. If it was a combat situation I would use a ball peen hawk/peace pipe hawk. Doubles as both an axe and warhammer making it very effective at dealing damage through light armor or exposed areas. Great video though and excellent advice.
So what is the difference between an Axe and a Hatchet ?
Good advice bro, very good presentation.
My ancestors used these on the plains of North America, we don’t use them anymore like this if at all..but pretty cool to see the use of them non the less
Civilization began because of this invention.
Good vid Rich, well explained
What kind of hawk is that? I gotta couple SOG fast hawks for throwing practice but need a good full size hawk. Preferably full tang
That one is a Cold Steel Trench Hawk Brent.
@@bushloreoz You know I thought so but wasn't sure. Good video by the way
Trench hawk is not full tang. Get an RMJ or hardcore hardware tomahawk.
Thank you. Awesome video.
Any chance you might be going to the abbey medieval festival? Lots of axe and sword fighting. It might interest you.
Yes mate that is on my list this year. Just to take a look around.
I enjoy throwing a tomahawk but would never do it in a fight.... Unless I had 2 Tomahawks lol. If i did fight w one I would have to go berserk. But thats gonna be me w any melee or edge weapon as I am no pro
Aggressive aggro way. Overwhelm. Great force...
This video could've been 15 seconds.
I have to show my brother these vids and am I able to get you dvds in the states
Shortly to be available in the US mate.
Awesome thanks man
I would like to ask if you would recommend one of these tomahawks that I will mention? I'm thinking of buying one. First of is two RMJ's. The "Jenny Wren" & "3D Syndicate Raven". Or better, which RMJ would you go for? Second is the two Spyderco's, "SzaboHawk" & "Warrior Hawk". The third option for me is something I truly dream of. It's the Winkler & Sayoc, "WK SnD Full Size Axe". Don't know if I should go for Micarta, Walnut, Maple or Rubber handle? He also have "Tribel Treatment" for better grip, leather wraps on the grip points. I know there's cheaper alternatives, but I do love art and beauty but also it must be as useful as can be, best possible. Maybe you have some other options as well? Hope you can use some of your pressus time to help me out a bit. I'm happy with more than one option. This will be my first tomahawk, so it will mean a lot for me if you could help me choose. I'm thinking of collecting, so if you give me several options, I will have something to follow in the future for my next buy and so.😊🙏. Most sincere Thomas Aasen, Norway
Oh, and I just found this one: Spyderco Genzow HatchetHawk. It looks like a very good tool as well. 16" long, hammer instead of spike. Drop forged 5160 tool steel for the axe head and aluminum/polypropylene handle .
Same applies with hammers?
Great American Weapon... Used in the American Revolution and Vietnam !!!
This is not a fellow to mess with, with or without a tomahawk in his hands. With a tomahawk I wouldn't want to be within 50 ft of him even with a firearm.
At the end of the day an axe is just an improvised weapon and to quote someone 'the axe looks like a great weapon, until you have to use it'. Too many disadvantages for me.
Tomahawks are amazing weapons! Alot of us military carry them over in the middle east.
When you wield the Tomahawk gently it makes you look Feminine..lol...lol.. Not taken away from women who use tomahawks..lol..but it is meant to be a direct aggressive combat weapon.
Mate, drop me a line on info@bushloreaustralia.com.au and I'll send you a free link to the inside of the course. That might make it less feminine :) my little girl here wields a hawk and her feminine grace in doing so is fearsome. Rich H.
I would have thought you would have used a better hawk than a cold steel. Almost every hawk made is better.