Tomahawks... Why the resurgence???

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **on:** June 06, 2012, 10:07:15 AM

Just recently I've noted that there's been something of a revival in Tomahawks

And it would seem most manufactures are getting in on the act and are offering models of there own, but I was wondering what's provoked this interest again?

I've always wanted one as they look a lot of fun to use, but I've always bought something more practical like a hatchet instead

Am I really missing something, or are they really just a combat weapon?

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:28:56 AM

I think they're predominantly aimed at the armchair zombie hunters.

I don't mean people slaying undead soft furnishings either

As a practical tool, I'd agree there are much better options out there. They can be quite light in a pack (some of them anyway), but that's not really a strength on a chopping implement

As for the others, the all steel versions ... well ....

(although I am quite prepared to be convinced otherwise )

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:39:52 AM

See now that's pretty much my take on them too

Sparky415 · **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2012, 11:39:48 AM

Is it because US Soldiers seem to be carrying them as a breaching (and multipurpose) tools? This then carry’s over to civilians via the interweb as being a useful tool/weapon

Grathr · **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2012, 11:49:07 AM

I have not noticed this revival of the tomahawks. (i might be living the wrong part of the world)
Does anyone have any pictures of what theese "new" tomahawks look like?

Sparky415 · **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2012, 11:59:19 AM

You are hanging around in the wrong parts of the internet

http://www.rmjtactical.com/

http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/Tomahawks-Throwing-Axes.html

http://sogknives.com/store/F01T-N.html

Old stuff

http://furtradetomahawks.tripod.com/

Grathr · **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:29:35 PM

Thank you!

Those tactical tomahawks looks like they are only good for killing people and breaking stuff (like doors,windows, making holes in walls, breaking open crates and barrels and such) wich are nice for military use, but I can't see what a "civillian" would need it for.
But they look cool, and would proably be very handy for the armchair zombiehunter until he accidentaly spikes himself in the head while trying to fight off the imaginary zombies attacking him in his bedroom.

The old style trading axes could probably be used as a OK camping tool. But I have never tried one so I don't know for sure. (but I want one!

)

Syph007 · **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2012, 02:58:46 PM

I bought a cheap cold steel trailhawk just as a toy. I guess it would be nice to carry due to the light weight, but its not good chopping tool. So far I've just played with it and practiced my axe throwing and did some haft wraps on it. So to some it up, I think its just for a toy aspect not a practical one.

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2012, 08:29:43 PM

I have a SOG tomahawk in my bedroom in case of break ins, I've redone the edge and spike so I'd imagine it can do some serious damage, plus it's cool to look at.

Sparky415 · **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2012, 09:02:09 PM

The only thing I have close to a tomahawk is this hatchet (awaiting a new handle at the moment

)

Steinar · **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2012, 09:31:21 PM

I doubt a tomahawk would be any good against zombies. The small blade would just sink into the zombie without chopping sufficiently to dismantle it. Since you now are close to the zombie, and zombies feel no pain, you have a problem if you didn't crack its skull.

So, you have a short range zombie skullcracker. About as useful as a hammer.

Hm. Perhaps I'll buy a hoard of hammers, spray paint them and market them as "zombie skullcrackers".

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2012, 11:08:12 PM

Lol you'd have quite a Market I reckon

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2012, 04:22:35 AM

I personally have considered the roofing hammer as a great all-around tool for zombie recorpsification.

I guess that's pretty close to a good small camp hatchet.

sawman · **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2012, 04:57:36 AM

I prefer a crowbar for ease of weight and skullcrackability

DIYMultiTool · **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2012, 07:07:07 AM

The SOG Tomahawks ones are cool to throw. They stick well in wood. Cold Steel ones are not great trowers. We had 22 Afghan/Iraq Vets new to them and after 3-days noone wanted the two different versions of the Cold Steel Tomahawks. They all used SOG Tomahawks to compete with.

I just got a SOG Tomahawks for my son to use. They had a great sale at $25 for them and free S&H so I got a few.

I had a Cold Steel Rifleman myself, but the SOG is better for me also.

Styerman · **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2012, 10:49:59 PM

Zombies , and their media comeback has helped . Several peeps I know are using them around the house or in the vehicle , in lieu of a handgun . Most examples I have seen would not be that great in the bush .

Give me my G/B hatchet anytime . I also have an Eastwing Carpenter's hatchet , this see's service for ruffing and squaring chores .

Chris

ironraven · **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2012, 01:57:32 AM

They're fun?

jock1 · **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2012, 09:50:27 PM

Not had hands on as such but I do want one for protection from pirate and zombie invasion or invasion by zombie pirates

hawkchucker · **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2012, 05:22:56 PM

Got to disagree with most people. I have carried a hawk now for a number of years and love them. I did carry one in the corps and I guess it went from there, but find them to be a very good outdoors tool. Zombie hunting well that is another thing, but the uses of the hawk is something that will allways be the factor for me. Shafts are easily replaced in the field, They sharpen like a dream, and the intimidation factor is overwhelming.

Ive tried machettes for the outdoors but allways go back to my hawks. Plus throwing them is a blast

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #19 on:** November 17, 2012, 11:45:03 PM

I was hoping you'd weigh in on this mate

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

hawkchucker · **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2012, 01:07:59 AM

Well the true fact is they arnt fancy and they arnt perfect. But hump a GF all day and you will apreciate the weight diff.

the real downside of them is that they get addictive. you cant own just one

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2012, 10:30:09 AM

Quote from: hawkchucker on November 18, 2012, 01:07:59 AM

Well the true fact is they arnt fancy and they arnt perfect. But hump a GF all day and you will apreciate the weight diff.

the real downside of them is that they get addictive. you cant own just one

Very true, but I thought we were talking about axes

hawkchucker · **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:32:17 AM

Love it. Never would have thought of how tha was typed. Im such a tool...

jock1 · **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:32:44 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on November 18, 2012, 10:30:09 AM

Quote from: hawkchucker on November 18, 2012, 01:07:59 AM
Well the true fact is they arnt fancy and they arnt perfect. But hump a GF all day and you will apreciate the weight diff.

the real downside of them is that they get addictive. you cant own just one

Very true, but I thought we were talking about axes

Glad I am not the only one sniggering like a schoolboy

Styerman · **Reply #24 on:** November 19, 2012, 04:11:35 PM

I almost pulled the trigger on an RMJ Jenny Wren , one nasty little smurf in a small package , would easily go into an EDC bag . I used to have two Emerson hawks , those things had an off the charts intimadation factor .

Chris

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #25 on:** November 19, 2012, 08:27:02 PM

They look gorgeous

Swearengen · **Reply #26 on:** March 16, 2013, 11:37:14 AM

We had several issued to us in the Marines. They were durable as hell and held a fine edge, but were never intended for intensive chopping duties. We used them only as breaching tools and gave us an added hand-to-hand weapon with vicious striking power and added reach (NEVER bring a knife to a tomahawk fight).

I liked my tomahawk until my gunny and I got talking and tried modifying a few Woodsman's Pals into even more practical and much more deadly weapons. With too much time on our hands between patrols we removed the backward J-hook, gave it a laid-back Tanto-looking point, and sharpened everything but the first 10 or so inches on the back side. It was a bit heavier than the tomahawk, but the balance was better. With the handguard facing up it was a much faster draw than my tomahawk ever could be (sounds stupid but when you're clearing a house room to room that's damn important). With the added weight and leverage we'd cleave things in half that the tomahawk could only bite into. It was quite revealing what advantages the Woodsy gave us: faster acquisition/draw, a larger effective surface so blows didnt need to be measured out or "aimed" as much, an additional striking/parrying surface in the handguard, added leverage through its weight and the handguard loop, tremendous retention of the weapon by the handguard's loop, and (added bonus) your knuckles never smashed into a wall without protection (close-in fighting).

It was a shortened broadsword that I carried with confidence. Guys in my squad tried them out and the armorer began altering Woodsys until our entire platoon had them. When our captain wanted us to give them up, he was convinced to try one out and had one made for himself. Most of us kept them and I won't ever part with mine. Long story, but a good memory for me.

Tomahawks are great, but for me something better suited my needs and situation, and she's my precious...