Tomahawk (axe)

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A pipe tomahawk dating to the early 19th century.
A pipe tomahawk dating to the early 19th century.
Tomahawk made by RMJ Forge
Tomahawk made by RMJ Forge

A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Virginian Algonquian word. Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials alike, and often employed as a hand-to-hand or a thrown weapon, much like the nzappa zap. It originally featured a stone head, but later iron or brass heads were the rule. The metal tomahawk heads were originally based on a Royal Navy boarding axe and used as a trade-item with Native Americans for food and other provisions.

The tomahawk shaft is usually less than 2 ft (0.6 m) in length, traditionally made of hickory. The heads are anywhere from 9–20 oz (255–567 g) in weight, with a cutting edge usually not much longer than four inches from toe to heel. The poll can feature a small hammer, spike or simply be rounded off, and they usually do not have lugs. Stone tomahawk heads were typically made of polished soapstone, and ornately carved examples were used in some Native American rituals. These usually had a pipe-bowl carved into the poll, and a hole drilled down the center of the shaft for smoking tobacco through the tomahawk. There are also metal-headed versions of this unusual pipe. Pipe tomahawks are artifacts unique to North America: created by Europeans as trade objects but often exchanged as diplomatic gifts. They are powerful symbols of the choice Europeans and Indians faced whenever they met: one end was the pipe of peace, the other an axe of war.

In Colonial French territory, a very different tomahawk design, closer to the ancient Francisca, was in use by French settlers and Indigenous Peoples.

[edit] The tomahawk in modern times

Tomahawk throwing is a popular sport among American historical re-enactment groups, and some martial arts enthusiasts are attempting to revive tomahawk fighting techniques used during the Colonial era. Today's hand-forged tomahawks are being made by master craftsmen throughout the United States.

Traditional form tomahawk made by Steve Opperman
Traditional form tomahawk made by Steve Opperman

Modern-day Tomahawks have gained in popularity with the re-emergence of the "Vietnam Tomahawk" by American Tomahawk Company in the beginning of 2001. Modern-day Tomahawks designed by the late Peter LaGana included wood handles, a hatchet-like bit and a leather sheath and were used by select U.S. forces during the Vietnam war and are called "Vietnam Tomahawks". The wood handle "Vietnam Tomahawks" are still being produced today by Cold Steel. The tomahawk was later redesigned featuring synthetic hafts by American Tomahawk Company and named "VTAC"'s ("Vietnam Tactical Tomahawk"'s) and are currently being manufactured by Fehrman Knives. SOG has also entered the field with its own version of the "Vietnam Tomahawk", the Fusion Tactical Tomahawk. The original "Vietnam Tomahawks" are rare and quite expensive.

Other "Tactical Tomahawks" makers include:

  • Branton Knives in collaboration with "Walter Brend" with their "Brend Fighting Hatchet";
  • K5 Tactical with his "Tactical Hammer Poll", "Tactical Spike", "Utility Hammer Poll" and the "Utility Spike";
  • Ranger Knives with his "RD Hawk" and "Entry Tool";
  • RMJ Forge with their "Eagle Talon" and the "Crash Axe"

Todays Hand-forged tomahawks and Modern-day Tactical Tomahawks are in use today by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Tomahawk is a weapon employed extensively in Okichitaw, a Native American martial art.

The American Tomahawk Company's "VTAC" ("Vietnam Tactical Tomahawk") is in use by the US Army Stryker Brigade in Afghanistan, the 172nd SBCT Team based at Fort Wainwright, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, a Recon Platoon in the 2-183d CAV (116th IBCT)(OIF 2007-2008) and numerous other soldiers. The National Stock Number is 4210-01-518-7244.[1]This design is enjoying something of a renaissance with US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan as a tool and in use in hand-to-hand combat.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Steele, David E."Wedged Edges at War",Blade Magazine,September 2005, page 12-19
  2. ^ Tillett, David. "Lethal Weapon:Historic Tomahawk Returns to the Battlefield with Some U.S. Troops", ABC News, 2003-4-15. Retrieved on 2007-01-24. 

[edit] See also