Need tomahawk advise

[Sandhiler]

For what it's worth I bought my grandson (a big 8 year old) one of the smaller hawks from Panther for a Christmas present. He has the choice of throwing my bigger Stan Winklers or his smaller hawk and he will choose his every time.

His control of the heavier hawk seems to make him nervous as it passes his ear. He has never said anything but he will throw the heavier hawk sidearm.

His target, a slab of cherry, has cuts in it everywhere, as does the stand and everything around it. But he will throw the smaller hawk for hours. It keeps him from in front of the TV and I'm sure will help make him a camping pardner.

Sandhiler

 

[Many Klatch]

John, a 4 inch wide blade width limit is pretty much standard at most events that I have been to whether NMLRA or not. Folks were showing up with medieval axes with 1 foot blades and it just got silly so they made the rule. If you don't have rules then someone will violate the fun act.

I like blades that are really thin for competition. I have seen hawk blocks that were so hard that only a really thin, sharp hawk would stick. If you are sure that all your throwing will be into soft blocks then most any hawk blade shape will work, but if you are throwing into fresh cut oak or mulberry blocks, then a razor thin and extra sharp one is required.

Many Klatch

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Years ago I bought into all the info about Cold Steel throwing hawks. I liked the shape and weight so I ordered one. When it arrived, it had a big, deep stamping on the side of the blade that said 'Taiwan'.

We need to support the sutlers that work hard for us to keep them in business. Without them, our hobbe would begin to fold. I'd rather spend a couple extra dollars and buy a quality made correct product rather than send my money to China or give it to a fella names 'Pak I. Stan.
Ohio Rusty >

 

[ohio ramrod]

My 12 year old youngin' is really into throwing hawks and I want to encourage it by getting him a a couple to practice with. I've got an old clunker and my shrewwhawk he's using now. Can people share some of their hawk throwing experience to help me choose what to get. I'm looking to buy at least a couple, which will be his to take care of. He can stick the shrewhawk pretty good. Anyone have experience throwing them ? How about HB forge? others? I'd prefer something forged and HC and made in USA if possible. Any imput would be appreciated- John

Over the years I've had and used just about every type of hawk around. I got most of them as prizes or trades . While I liked the HB 's that I had someone always offered me more than I had in them so I traded them off. The one hawk that I have kept and still use is the old Dixie forged hawk that sold for $19.00 in the early seventies.It is good for throwing and spliting kindling and poundinbg wooden tent stakes.

 

[boar]

My best hawk todate is from Pioneer Arms in PA. He is listed in Links. I paid 37.00, now 41.50 shipped to your door. It is a thin cast steel hawk. It has the best balance of all my hawks. A card cutter for sure. :thumbsup: Dilly

 

[ameling]

One other big thing to remember is that hawk throwing is a ... SPORTING COMPETITION. It may be a formal match, or just impromptu fun. But "throwing" a hawk is just that - a sport. It has little practical application

Camp chores are different matter. Like chopping/splitting wood, pounding tent stakes, cracking walnuts, butchering animals. Those are specific tasks where specific tools work better.

Now, many people use their hawk for both sport throwing and camp chores. And many will do both well. But sometimes not. The two purposes are not mutually inclusive nor mutually exclusive.

Most people tend to pick a hawk that looks good to them, and then adapt their use of it for either throwing or camp chores. Just part of that personal choice stuff.

Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

 

[Claude Mathis]

One other big thing to remember is that hawk throwing is a ... SPORTING COMPETITION. It may be a formal match, or just impromptu fun. But "throwing" a hawk is just that - a sport. It has little practical application

Camp chores are different matter. Like chopping/splitting wood, pounding tent stakes, cracking walnuts, butchering animals. Those are specific tasks where specific tools work better.

Now, many people use their hawk for both sport throwing and camp chores. And many will do both well. But sometimes not. The two purposes are not mutually inclusive nor mutually exclusive.

I agree. I have a tomahawk that I carry in my sash as a reenacting weapon (for looks) and for throwing in competition, and I also have an axe (hatchet) that I use for camp chores. I view them as two different tools, although, as you say, they can be used for many of the same things. (both being a wedge-shaped piece of metal on a stick :wink: )

 

[blacksmithman64]

:haha: I also have a hatchet and an ax for chopping firewood. These are my two tomahawks; one I throw and the other I keep as sorta a dress up hawk. The blades are only 2 1/2" wide. The fancy handles give other throwers "incentive" when playing handles! (and are easy to make):grin: They won't cut a card in half, but I just throw fer kicks and grins anyhow!

 

[Ron LaClair]

Back in the day I was a pretty good hawk and knife thrower. I took 1st in both the knife and hawk competition at the Michigan State Championships in 1979 and 1980. In 1980 at the State I threw a perfect score of 50 with both the knife and hawk. I went to Friendship in 80 to compete and won the knife throwing. A fella tied me with the hawk and we had a throw off. This guy had his hawk handle cut down to about 8" and he threw it like he was throwin darts, standing about 8 to 10 FEET from the target. I couldn't believe that they'd allow that but they did.

That was the last time I competed at Friendship. I told em that was sissy throwin and I wouldn't be a part of it.

I don't know if they've changed the rules since then....I hope they have.

 

[Frank/Pa]

Back in the day I was a pretty good hawk and knife thrower. I took 1st in both the knife and hawk competition at the Michigan State Championships in 1979 and 1980. In 1980 at the State I threw a perfect score of 50 with both the knife and hawk. I went to Friendship in 80 to compete and won the knife throwing. A fella tied me with the hawk and we had a throw off. This guy had his hawk handle cut down to about 8" and he threw it like he was throwin darts, standing about 8 to 10 FEET from the target. I couldn't believe that they'd allow that but they did.

That was the last time I competed at Friendship. I told em that was sissy throwin and I wouldn't be a part of it.

I don't know if they've changed the rules since then....I hope they have.

Yep, there are gamers in any sport. Guys always trying to get an edge any way they can. I don't much care for those people and the folks that let them get away with it.