Throwing a tomahawk.

[Kentucky45]

I bought a used tomahawk, my first, and it has 3J stamped into it. 3J? I throw knives fairly well but throwing this is a different thing all together. Any suggestions?

 

[Len Graves]

Throwing the hawk is very similar to throwing a knife. I will tell you how I do it, someone else may have a different way. You want to achieve one rotation of the hawk, that is when you let it go it will be in the sticking position. Then it will make one complete turn to stick in the target. to achieve this the distance is critical. I start at 7 steps (not paces, but normal steps) mark a spot. If your handle hits first then start a half step back to give more rotation. If the head hits on end, start a half step forward. Throw the hawk like you would a ball. Don't try to spin it. It will turn all by it self. When you get so you can stick it with regularity double your distance for two turns. Once you start to stick it it will become second nature just like riding a bike, only completely different.
Just have fun!! Be safe.

 

[biliff]

3J is the maker's mark. Believe they're located in southern Oregon. Fairly common hawk head around here. Forged head, seem to hold up pretty well to throwing and sharpen fairly easily with a file.

Can't help you with the actual throwing part as my technique is "throw hawk, turn back and cover head with arms to avoid getting hit by the bounce back.".

 

[Claude Mathis]

This old thread may be of some help...

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/255246

 

[SpottedBull]

Len gives good advice on this...very well done. I throw mine the same way. Heck once I find my distance I dont even have to step into it on a single rotation. The boys I teach think thats kinda cheating.

Here is a link to a good article on throwing a hawk. http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/amm/skills/hawkman.html

 

[Kentucky45]

Throwing the hawk is very similar to throwing a knife.
I start at 7 steps (not paces, but normal steps) mark a spot.

Good advice Len. Thanks. I started at 7 steps and found that too far. I worked down 1/2 steps to 5 1/2 steps and began sticking the hawk almost every time. It's not so difficult once you figure out your rotation. I would assume the handle length makes a big difference? It's hard on an arm to throw a hawk for very long periods.

 

[Monarch]

I can't help you as I throw like a girl lol thats what mu hubby says but I stick his hawk every time. I just use a natural throw no wrist action (that must be a guy thing lol).

 

[Len Graves]

It's OK you use 5 1/2 steps to get where you can stick the hawk. We had to start somewhere. the big thing is you are sticking it. For the knife I start about one step shorter. Now that is my method do what works for you. I have heard the national rules now say no closer than 12 feet. Are their any confirmations on that?

 

[Kentucky45]

3J is the maker's mark. Believe they're located in southern Oregon. Fairly common hawk head around here. Forged head, seem to hold up pretty well to throwing and sharpen fairly easily with a file.

Thank you Bill. It's definitely a forged head. I can see the hammer marks. It kind of adds some class to it. It looks well made and does sharpen easily with a file.
Monarch after I've thrown awhile my arm starts hurting. It doesn't take long, arthritis, so I probably throw like a girl too.
I don't throw modern throwing knives. I throw Old Hickory and other old knives. I doubt the mountain men had access to the modern 3 to a pack no handle perfectly balanced stainless steel knives. I have to make and replace wooden grips sometimes but when you've broken and replaced enough that becomes fairly simple. You just make extra.

 

[SpottedBull]

Use stacked leather for handles...takes the crash and bang a lot easier!

 

[Kentucky45]

Use stacked leather for handles...takes the crash and bang a lot easier!

Bull would you mind telling me how you do that? Thanks

 

[SpottedBull]

Here is the best throwing knife I know of. The handles are made of thick veg-tan leather that is stacked and held in place with brass screw-in rivets. I've only had to replace these once.

 

[Kentucky45]

Bull it's hard to see anything with a picture. Why don't you go ahead and mail me that knife as a gift and you can get another one? Yes? No?
It looks like the rivets are set pretty deep. How many layers of leather do you use on each side? I really like the shape of the blade. Would you mind giving me the total lengths and widths? If you're going to mail it I can measure it myself.

 

[Muskeg Stomper]

I would assume the handle length makes a big difference?

Yes, handle length does make a huge difference. Generally, the shorter the handle the closer the thrower is to the target to complete one full hawk rotation. If I'm the booshway at an event, I'll put a line at 10' from the target and tell throwers that they can't go any closer than that line. Something just ain't right if men have to use short-handled hawks!

 

[George]

Might take a look at this:
http://home.insightbb.com/~bspen/tomahawk.html

Spence

 

[SpottedBull]

Bull it's hard to see anything with a picture. Why don't you go ahead and mail me that knife as a gift and you can get another one? Yes? No?
It looks like the rivets are set pretty deep. How many layers of leather do you use on each side? I really like the shape of the blade. Would you mind giving me the total lengths and widths? If you're going to mail it I can measure it myself.

Well this one in particular has a lot of special meaning to me, so its gotta place near my heart and on my belt. It measures 13 3/4" long overall with a 8 1/2" by 1 1/2" blade. I use two pieces of leather on each side and they are about 1/4" thick.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I've got one of those. The 'ol H and B Forge throwing knife.

http://www.hbforge.com/products/throwing-knives.php

I do a lot better throwing that knife than my tomahawks.

 

[Darkgael]

Good advice. A key point to pay attention to when throwing either the hawk or the knife is "not" to break your wrist when releasing the piece. I have found that I release quite high in the arc that my arm makes coming 'round in the throw.
Knives - buy some two or three in wide mild steel and some thick leather....make your own.

The black handled knife was purchased. The others were all made in the garage. They stick just fine.
More homemades:

The larger knives on the left are all commercial throwers. The ones on the right (some from the pic above) are home made. The knife in the middle is my best thrower; I have since made another like it.
Pete

 

[Ron LaClair]

I don't throw modern throwing knives. I throw Old Hickory and other old knives. I doubt the mountain men had access to the modern 3 to a pack no handle perfectly balanced stainless steel knives. I have to make and replace wooden grips sometimes but when you've broken and replaced enough that becomes fairly simple. You just make extra.

Kentucky, do you throw your knives by the blade or by the handle? If you throw them by the blade then you need to change and throw by the handle. For that you'll need a knife designed for that which is blade heavy. Then you can throw the hawk and knife in the same style and it'll be eaiser for you to throw both.

 

[Kentucky45]

Kentucky, do you throw your knives by the blade or by the handle? If you throw them by the blade then you need to change and throw by the handle.

Thanks much for the measurements Bull.
I've been throwing knives off and on for around 30 years. Mostly off. When I started I used the modern balanced no handle stainless knives I described earlier. Of course I threw holding the blade. As I got older and acquired more and more arthritis, I found it easier to hold onto the thicker handle of a knife and began using the Old Hickory's and other brands. That changed throwing knives completely for me.
I appreciate and enjoy all the pictures of knives. I think I will make some. I'd like to see more pics of knives and hawks too if you're interested in showing them.
So far the tomahawk throwing is going pretty good. Although I have a sore shoulder. I stick it most of the time and I'm getting pretty close to my target too. The weight difference in the hawk and knife will sure cut down on practice time.