Post by LowKey on Aug 6, 2014 22:20:37 GMT
I had, and liked, a "Brittish Belt Axe", essentially a heavier tomahawk with hammer-ish poll. I purchased it from Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc. way back when.
Worked nicely as a hand axe. Based on the comperable size I'd guess a tomahawk would do as well at most of the "multi-tasking" for which I used the belt axe.
That said, I'm looking at getting a new heavy chopping implement for my pack, but I'll be looking at a full-ish sized axe head on a 24-ish inch handle. Why? Because I was lucky as can be that I didn't lop off something important or otherwise screw myself up with the short handle length on the belt axe when I'd use it out in the woods on a drizzly day. Real world use of an axe/hatchet/tomahawk while camping is a bit more condusive to screwign up with the chopper than spliting wood at home. "Cold, wet, and hurried" leads to shortcuts being taken despite sense advising you otherwise...and then you eventually get hurt. That's why I'll be going with a longer handle...not impossible to injure yourself, but the longer the handle the less of YOU that's in range of the blade when you swing it.
As to using the tomahawk as a weapon....when is it going to be your first choice AS a weapon? Isn't that role better filled by a firearm?
If you want something you can use to hack on someone, get a lighter (not light) headed axe with a full length handle.
Not all that much heavier than a hatchet or belt axe, much much more usefull as a tool (it's primary purpose, and what we will likely be using any chopper for 99.9% of the time), and still quite leathal in a fight. An axe (fighting type, not lumberjack type) was the most common handheld weapon on the battlefield in the middle ages....they worked well. Yes, it will take two hands...what exactly are we going to be holding in the off hand when using a tomahawk that is going to increase the chances of winning?
Not intended to rain on anyones parade, just what I consider a realistic look at a tomahawks utility. YMMV of course...
Worked nicely as a hand axe. Based on the comperable size I'd guess a tomahawk would do as well at most of the "multi-tasking" for which I used the belt axe.
That said, I'm looking at getting a new heavy chopping implement for my pack, but I'll be looking at a full-ish sized axe head on a 24-ish inch handle. Why? Because I was lucky as can be that I didn't lop off something important or otherwise screw myself up with the short handle length on the belt axe when I'd use it out in the woods on a drizzly day. Real world use of an axe/hatchet/tomahawk while camping is a bit more condusive to screwign up with the chopper than spliting wood at home. "Cold, wet, and hurried" leads to shortcuts being taken despite sense advising you otherwise...and then you eventually get hurt. That's why I'll be going with a longer handle...not impossible to injure yourself, but the longer the handle the less of YOU that's in range of the blade when you swing it.
As to using the tomahawk as a weapon....when is it going to be your first choice AS a weapon? Isn't that role better filled by a firearm?
If you want something you can use to hack on someone, get a lighter (not light) headed axe with a full length handle.
Not all that much heavier than a hatchet or belt axe, much much more usefull as a tool (it's primary purpose, and what we will likely be using any chopper for 99.9% of the time), and still quite leathal in a fight. An axe (fighting type, not lumberjack type) was the most common handheld weapon on the battlefield in the middle ages....they worked well. Yes, it will take two hands...what exactly are we going to be holding in the off hand when using a tomahawk that is going to increase the chances of winning?
Not intended to rain on anyones parade, just what I consider a realistic look at a tomahawks utility. YMMV of course...