Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Georgie Smith
If you work outdoors, you know how vital hatchets, axes, and tomahawks are for survival. Unlike most weapons like swords and spears, the tomahawk continues to be famous for self-defense. It is also great for rescuing a trapped person and chopping wood. It can also cut sheets of metal and help you finally get that game you have been chasing during the hunting season.
Are you interested in knowing the history of Tomahawk? Alternatively, perhaps you want to learn how to throw one? Stick around; this article will also review some of the best tools so you can make an informed decision.
About Throwing Tomahawk:
A throwing ax is a weapon that has been in existence since the middle ages. It was used both by knights and foot soldiers. They often get thrown in an overhand motion like a baseball, and that motion makes the ax rotate as it goes through the air. Sometimes, ax throwing was a sport where people would throw the tomahawk at a target and attempt to hit a bullseye as close as possible. If you are a skilled ax thrower, you will rotate the ax so that the head hits the target.
They have been around for over a million years however their idea took off in the 5th century. The takeoff was triggered by the Teutonic tribes who spread the concept to Frankish soldiers during their migration.
The franks were impressive soldiers because they arrived at battles without any helmets or shields. They also carried numerous weapons. These tools became great for them because the head is massive and has a sharp edge that causes significant damage.
A couple of years later Franziska got famous throughout Europe. The name probably came from the franks. They had however modified it slightly, and it now had a psychological purpose in addition to the dangerous combat effects. Its ax head is curved, and it also came with a pointed top. It almost resembled a teardrop.
This modification gave the Franks an added advantage because they could throw it and wipe out a broad group of people.
These weapons have a surprise element because when thrown, they had a random trajectory which made it hard for a person to guess where it would end up. This explanation is the main reason why they became a psychological weapon.
Through trade, the tool became famous and was a huge commodity. The stone ones that were used by the Americans were traded in for newer, better models made by the Europeans. Thus the tomahawks were most famous because they were smaller and lighter. Today, these weapons have heads of steel.
Where to Buy Tomahawks for Throwing:
There are two significant ways to buy a tomahawk. One is to go to a hardware store near you and check the types available. If this is not an excellent option for you, you can quickly get one online. There are numerous online stores where you can get the tool. The best part about online shopping is that they deliver the device to your door.
Best Tomahawks for Sale:
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SOG Throwing Hawks
Lightweight construction
Paracord-wrapped handle
Durable construction design
High-quality construction material
Throwing Axe
Provides professional results
Lightweight construction design
Durable material construction
Convenient for all-time use
Light Throwing Tomahawk
Lightweight construction for portability
Suitable for young throwers and women
Convenient handle construction
Ideal for both training and competing
SOG Throwing Hawks TH1001-CP – Set of 3, Hardcased Black Stainless Steel with Paracord Wrapped Handle
Do your calculations right, as others are getting one throwing hawk from other brands, you can get three hawks with the price of one. These SOG throwing hawks come in a set of three quality products to ensure you have what it takes to attain accuracy in your aiming. The Hawks have a high-tech design with quality material construction for durability and efficiency in performance.
Every hawk is a one-piece steel unit with paracord wrapped handle. The steel construction guarantees the longevity of the product making it highly resistant to various weather conditions. The paracord handle wrapping makes the tool comfortable and easy to grip for exceptional uses. The handle design is scratch resistant and will ensure years of quality performance.
With these tools in your arsenal, you can get them to serve you in various capacities. You may decide to use them as throwing hawks for extreme targeting or as a general-purpose ax tool. Additionally, these products come with a nylon sheath that comfortably keeps all the three pieces same and ensures easy portability.
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Throwing Axe – Win Your Next Viking Throwing Tomahawk Competition! 19″ Hand Forged Hatchet
It is possible for you to win that throwing competition by using the right tools that match your techniques in the field. This tomahawk is specifically designed to outshine all the other devices on the market. With the right throwing skills, you will experience repeated hits on the target with every throw.
The design is also strong and durable, which makes the tool highly reliable for all-time fun. When other axes are failing, this guarantees that it lives up to the standards of its construction. It delivers up to 99 percent of its performance to ensure you enjoy throwing to its fullest.
This tool features high-carbon steel construction for durability and quality performance. The hand-forged construction technique also gives a plus to the performance and quality of the tool. Additionally, it has a convenient price tag to ensure it’s incredibly affordable to everyone who is looking for quality experiences.
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Light Throwing Tomahawk – Mouse Hawk Designed for Young Thrower
Get your kids to enjoy nature and experience the beauty of your backyard by introducing this light throwing a tomahawk. Just as in the name, it has a lightweight design, which makes it suitable for use by kids and women. The mouse hawk design enhances its performance and keeps the thrower motivated for easy improvement.
The compact design guarantees that the user of this tomahawk will not feel the pressure of carrying it from time to time. The size of this product also makes it ideal for survival needs as it can perfectly fit your backpack. Therefore, ensuring to keep you safe while facing an outdoor adventure. Additionally, the top-quality construction of the tool features an ergonomic handle construction for comfort and flexibility of use.
The handle design is slip-resistant, which makes it suitable for use under different circumstances. It also features an easy-to-sharpen blade, which guarantees you quality performance regardless of where you are working.
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What Features to Look for in Each Product
When you need to buy your first tomahawk, you may feel confused by the array of choices the market offers you. There are various types and numerous different features that make your decision difficult. Here are some factors to consider to ensure that you have bought the right one:
Weight:
The first thing you have to think about is the weight of the device you are about to purchase. Its weight should be comfortable for you to throw. The last thing anyone wants is to have a tool that will cause you pain when you throw. The best weight for a person buying it for the first time is between 16 and 23 ounces.
This weight is perfect because it will help you learn how to throw and will give you the freedom to choose more massive tools as you get better at using them. Heavier ones are much easier to control and are the best choice for people who need a self-defense tool.
The Material of the Blade
You also need to consider the material used to make the head of the tomahawk. If the material is heavy and too stiff, it may be difficult to sharpen it. You never want to be caught with a self-defense tool that will not defend you. You also do not want a device that gets blunt too regularly because you never know when you will need it for an emergency. Sharpen the tool as often as you can to make sure that it is always ready for use when you need it. (History)
The Length and Material of the Handle
There are three types of grips to choose from metal, wood, and hybrid. Wood tends to be the most preferred and the most affordable. It is excellent for people who work under wet conditions. Never choose a handle that does not allow you to have a proper grip when your hands are wet. These tools are sharp and therefore dangerous.
Avoid accidents at all costs. While wood is excellent, it is prone to chipping and breaking. Metallic handles require more maintenance because they are more likely to rust. Hybrid handles are both wooden and metallic. They are the most expensive, but they also last the longest.
You also need to consider the length of the handle to great lengths. A grip that is too long compromises your throwing capacity. The length of tomahawk handles ranges from 12 inches to 22 inches. When choosing a handle, consider your build and strength. A rule of that is that the handle must never exceed your elbow when you lay your hand flat against it.
If you are shopping online, you may not have the privilege of measuring the length of the tool against your arm. In such cases, you are better off buying a longer handle. If it is too long, you can always cut it into pieces to get it to the length you need.
Design of the Head
The three most common styles used include polled, spiked, or unpolled. The poll is part of the tool that projects from the opposite side of the main blade. A spiked tomahawk is the most popular because they provide its users with more balance and are great for both self-defense and other uses. If you love movies, you can see this one in action in the film Last of the Mohicans.
Types of Tomahawks
Tactical:
These are great for self-defense tasks. They are best for the military and people who need a tool to defend themselves.
Throwing Tomahawk:
These are fun to throw around and are perfect for throwing competitions. They are specifically optimized for pitching and are not suitable for any other jobs. [1]
How to Throw a Tomahawk in Real Life
Before we begin, you need to learn the parts of the ax:
- The cutting part is called the bit or beak
- The middle part of the handle is known as the poll
- The section from the bit to the poll is the head
- The upper part of the beak is the spine while the opposite side is called the cheek
- Right under the cheek is the hook
- The angles part that extends from the cutting edge is called the bevel
- The beard is the part where the hook and edge meet
The hawk is such that the head is more massive than the handle. To be a skilled thrower, therefore, you need to know the perfect size and weight. The weight of the hatchet will do most of the work for you. Your work, consequently, is to concentrate on the accuracy and the distance you have to throw.
When you begin to throw, make sure that the head of the cutting edge is facing your target. Ensure that you make about six steps from your target so that you are facing it at about 14 feet. Use a modified stance for more accuracy.
Move your rear foot forward to the same level as your forward foot. Manage the placement of your feet by placing your left toe at a distance mark and you’re throwing foot at a comfortable distance behind your left foot.
You should pick a spot on the target and make sure that your eyes, your mark, and your hawk are in line. To make your throw perfect, you will need repetition (practice makes perfect), concentration, and consistency.
About American Traditional Tomahawk
In early America, the tomahawk developed from the Algonquians. The natives used stones and attached them to the wooden handles, secured with strips of rawhide. While they were mostly weapons, they were also perfect for chopping, hunting, and cutting.
Tomahawks Tactical Vs. Traditional
| Tactical | Traditional |
|---|---|
| Explicitly designed for survival and defense | Are perfect for other tasks like chopping and cutting |
| Have a metallic head | Mainly used stone |
| Are shorter | Tend to have more extended handles |
About Bushcraft Tomahawk
Bushcraft tomahawks have several advantages over other brands:
- They have a removable head
- Great for skinning animals
- Easy to fashion
- Creates a great balance between an ax and a knife
Bushcraft Tomahawk or Hatchet
| Bushcraft Tomahawk | Hatchet |
|---|---|
| Can be thrown | Better at splitting |
| Removable head | More weight at the head makes it more powerful |
| Lightweight and the handle is easily changeable | Not easy to adjust |
What is the Best Bushcraft Tomahawk?
| Picture | Models | Features |
|---|---|---|
 | High Carbon Steel Hammer Hawk | – Tough steel material – Ergonomic handle construction – Easy to use – Suitable for multiple challenges |
 | Bushcraft Hawks | – Convenient material construction – Durable design – Easy to use and flexible – Tear resistant handle |
 | Hatchet Hawks | – High-quality material construction – Non-slip wooden handle – Suitable for outdoor use |
Mountain Bar Hand Forged From 1095 High Carbon Steel Hammer Hawk Tomahawk Axe.
Take your throwing experience to the next level by introducing this high-quality mountain bar hand-forged tomahawk ax. It is designed using high-carbon steel material for durability and stability.
The material also enhances the strength of this tool, and it guarantees that it will even improve your aiming too. This tool features a large blade size to ensure easy hits on the target of your choice. With this tool at hand, you enhance your skills in throwing as you can use it for both practice and competition.
The 1095 carbon steel is extra tough, and it ensures that the tool is suitable for any challenges. It has a convenient handle that is non-slip and tear-resistant. Therefore, you are sure that you will attain years of exceptional service from the same tool. The blade retains its sharpness for a long hence making it easy to maintain.
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Mountain Bar Hand-Forged Damascus Steel Bushcraft Hawks Tomahawk Survivalist Axe
Here is another tool from mountain bar; it has unique features that will attract excellence in performance. Unlike other tomahawk tools, this is uniquely designed to face all the throwing challenges as well as any other outdoor adventures.
The cutting blade is a suitable size, which makes this tool ideal for survival especially when you go camping or hiking. The blade construction material is high-tech Damascus steel material, which is highly durable and robust.
This tool has an ergonomic wooden handle, which is extremely reliable and convenient for all-time use. The wood material is non-slip and provides a suitable grip for easy use and flexibility of the tool. Additionally, the wooden material is tear resistant and will ensure you enjoy years of quality service.
Most often, finding the right tool for your adventures can be challenging and a little hectic. However, if you settle for this mountain bar tomahawk, it will be smiling all the way.
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Mountain Bar Hand-Forged Damascus Steel Hatchet Hawks Tomahawk Survivalist Axe
If you are looking for a convenient throwing ax, then all you need is this hand-forged tomahawk survivalist ax. It has a unique design that guarantees you excellence with every throw and every swing. With this tool at hand, you are sure that you will be secure and equipped to face any throwing competition like a pro.
The unique design features quality material construction, which enhances the tool’s durability and flexibility. The tool is constructed using Damascus steel material and a wooden handle. The steel blade is durable, and it retains its sharpness to ensure you can confront any outdoor challenges.
Additionally, with this tool at hand, you are sure that your aiming will become accurate and it will grant you an opportunity to attain a championship in the next competition. The wooden handle is slip-resistant and suitable for use under various weather conditions.
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What is the Purpose of the Tomahawk?
The tomahawk is excellent for throwing either as a sport or for recreation. It is also great for self-defense and hunting. It can be easily carried at your back or under your belt in a frog waist belt.
FAQs:
Q: Does the country of manufacture matter?
A: No, certain parts are always more affordable when they get manufactured outside the US.
Q: What finish should I choose for the handle
A: The type of finish you go with will depend on your preference. The finish does not affect the functionality
Q: Do they come with their shield?
A: Yes, most come with a sheath that protects you from the tool.
Conclusion
Depending on the skill level and size, the best throwing Mohawk should be compact, small, and lightweight. Bushcraft is a great company that provides its users with craftsmanship that is second to none. You also have unbeatable durability and is ideal for military and camping use.
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