Tomahawks and Handles

[bighorn]

First let me say that last year I bought and sold over 15,000 tomahawk handles. So I think that I know a little about tomahawks. As far as wood goes, the most resilient and durable is hickory, and ash. When it comes to length, if it feels good, throw it. As far as balance, if you put a fulcrum in the middle, it's balanced, you can balance a 2X4, As far as throwing, if you are the right distance from the block, you can throw a screwdriver. There are many good tomahawks on the market, H&B, 3J's, Ft. Turners, Allan Mfg, Mold & Gun Shop, to name a few. While I supply most of the tomahawk handles in the country, I do not endorse any particular brand. The one under the seat in my truck is an Allan Octagon.

Too many people are in the habit of getting too particular about stuff. I am old enough to remember when we did this for the fun of it. :m2c:

 

[Claude Mathis]

First let me say that last year I bought and sold over 15,000 tomahawk handles. So I think that I know a little about tomahawks.

Well, at least the handles. :winking:

 

[newt]

I'm looking for ideas on how to put a handle on this one I made.
Any ideas?

 

[Griz]

OK, I'll be first stupid answer, that's usually what I do best. How about cutting an oval hole in the handle and slipping it over the small end of the head and then wrapping the handle and head with leather or sinew?

 

[musketman]

I'm looking for ideas on how to put a handle on this one I made.
Any ideas?

You could do this...

 

[vradin]

I'm looking for ideas on how to put a handle on this one I made.
Any ideas?

Yeah, but I hope you're patient. You find a nice hickory sapling about 3/4" diameter. Carefully cut a split vertically in the center of the trunk and wedge your axe head in the split. Wrap top and bottom with rawhide lace and paint the axe/wood joint with some tar.

Go away for a couple of years. The tree will heal with the axe ingrown. When it gets to the right diameter, you can cut the tree about 3-4" from the top of the axe, and as long as you want the handle to be on the bottom.

This does work, and looks pretty cool too, especially when you take the wrappings off and de-bark the tree. No seams, no indication of how the axe got in there, and there are even some examples of this I've seen in museums.

But musketman's plan works too, and you even get to use it right now

vic

 

[boar]

The book -The Best Of Woodsmoke by Richard L. Jamison has two ways to haft them chapter 13 The Stone Axe Dilly