Tomahawk handle length

[Rató:rats]

Just wondering what length handle you gentlemen and ladies like on your hawk or hand axe? I haven’t found a measurement I’d consider perfect yet. Here are my girls;

Left to right/top to bottom;
Cold Steel Frontier Tomahawk-18.5 inches

Iroquois Tomahawk by Brave Hawk Forge-17 5/8 (made from a farriers rasp)

Belt Axe by Ben Hoffman-16 inches

The first two are throwers but can’t compare to the abilities of the belt axe for camp chores even with the added leverage. I understand the length may correspond to its application i.e throwing, wood processing, butchering.

How long is what you guys tuck in your sash?

Love to see some photos

Regards
Rató:rats

 

[flconch53]

My thrower is 19 inches

 

[Rató:rats]

My thrower is 19 inches

Nice. Ya that seems about the industry standard but at 5’8 it’s a bit long for me.

 

[Cruzatte]

Just wondering what length handle you gentlemen and ladies like on your hawk or hand axe? I haven’t found a measurement I’d consider perfect yet. Here are my girls;
View attachment 144138View attachment 144139
Left to right/top to bottom;
Cold Steel Frontier Tomahawk-18.5 inches

Iroquois Tomahawk by Brave Hawk Forge-17 5/8 (made from a farriers rasp)

Belt Axe by Ben Hoffman-16 inches

The first two are throwers but can’t compare to the abilities of the belt axe for camp chores even with the added leverage. I understand the length may correspond to its application i.e throwing, wood processing, butchering.

How long is what you guys tuck in your sash?

Love to see some photos

Regards
Rató:rats

It all depends on the tomahawk's use. For throwing, I like about 14½". For splitting kindling, no longer that 16" These are not arbitrary numbers. My forearm measured from elbow to top of my clenched fist is 14½" I could comfortably carry either in my sash.

 

[user 48679]

I set mine at a length that felt most comfortable for me with the size/weight of the head (YMMV) - 17"

 

[Rató:rats]

I set mine at a length that felt most comfortable for me with the size/weight of the head (YMMV) - 17"

Nice!

 

[LongWalker]

Depends on the weight/balance of the head. I use a tomahawk more for splitting kindling, clearing brush, and driving trap stakes. I don't want or need a long handle as many throwers prefer. I take the tomahawk and a saw out to the woodpile and actually use it, noting where I hold the handle for various tasks--then I shorten it to suit. Most of the time my user tomahawks wind up with handles in the 12"-14" range. My Kentucky-pattern hatchet has a much heavier head, and has an over-all length of ~16".

As for throwing, shorter handles turn more. That doesn't seem to matter in matches.

 

[flconch53]

I have a belt axe for that. Tomahawk is for recreation