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Post by bushfire on Jul 16, 2023 5:44:10 GMT -7
Good evening/morning all,
I was hoping someone may be able to provide some examples of French tomahawks from the F&I period. I remember seeing a couple of styles at some point but don’t recall where.
A lot of depictions I’ve seen in paintings show hawks with no leather protecting the head/bit. I like to keep mine sharp and it would take very little to cause a boo-boo to myself or one of my boys. Were they ever sheathed?
My current one is just a hardware store model that I need to update at some point.
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Post by brokennock on Jul 16, 2023 5:58:32 GMT -7
I don't have any examples of tomahawk known to be French, but yes, 'hawks were sometimes (if not most times) sheathed. Here is one example of one method, no idea how common it was, I'm inclined to believe belt/sash carry was far more common,    I'm also inclined to think that unless it was carried for the purpose of a weapon, it would often have been carried attached to one's gear. Maybe across the bedroll in the straps? |
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Post by paranger on Jul 16, 2023 6:45:55 GMT -7
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Post by brokennock on Jul 16, 2023 6:56:15 GMT -7
Excellent link Paranger, thankyou.
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Post by bushfire on Jul 16, 2023 11:20:40 GMT -7
Thank you for the great link, I didn’t know the name but that is definitely the style I had seen. Does anyone make these today? |
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Post by paranger on Jul 16, 2023 11:38:22 GMT -7
Thank you for the great link, I didn’t know the name but that is definitely the style I had seen. Does anyone make these today? Eric Schatzer from "At the Eastern Door" has made some high quality reproductions in the past. If you are on Facebook, you could try messaging him through their page. |
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Post by paranger on Jul 16, 2023 15:07:51 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 16, 2023 15:18:06 GMT -7
Great topic. I do love axes. If you look around, you can find 19c, 20c and even 21c production axes made in 18c patterns. I just sent paranger an eBay link to a French Biscayne axe that was likely made in the 20c. It’s in Bulgaria of all places.
Know the patterns. Many were developed early and have remained in use for centuries. The American Ax has a distinct development history, but the historic patterns are still around. I use (often) and restore vintage axes and know a bit about late-19c and early-20c patterns. It’s a slippery slope once you decide you’re an ax guy.
A few notes on safety. Anyone that’s been paying attention knows I’m all about being period correct… to an insane degree sometimes. However, I’ve spent enough time in the woods and working with axes to have some limits in this area.
First, please cover your bit. An ax properly sharpened is able to be shaved with. A ‘period’ cover can be as elaborate as the one ‘nock posted, or as simple as a piece of elk split doubled over the bit and secured with a wang. (I’ll be making one like this very soon.) Just something to protect you from the bit and the bit from everything that will take away the keen edge.
Second, PLEASE don’t carry anything in the small of your back. Last year I took a significant fall in the woods that broke my ankle in three places and my leg in two places. Had I been carrying an axe, canteen, pistol or whatever in the small of my neck, I’d be paralyzed.
Paralyzed.
Third, learn your axe. It’s a wonderful tool capable of more than most people appreciate. There’s a book I’m trying to locate about how the axe shaped the history of North America. At one point in the mid 1800s, three of every four tools manufactured in the US was an ax. There are also some excellent resources available online from the US Forest Service in the care and use of the ax. The more time you spend learning and using your ax, the more efficient and safer you’ll be.
Axes are wonderful tools, truly enjoyable to use. Challenge yourself to find reasons to use it. Put up a cord of firewood using only an ax. You’ll enjoy it, get a workout, and learn something along the way.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 16, 2023 16:55:09 GMT -7
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Post by spence on Jul 17, 2023 14:18:51 GMT -7
  Spence |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 17, 2023 15:26:55 GMT -7
I’m in love.
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Post by bushfire on Aug 13, 2023 18:37:07 GMT -7
I had one maker Jeff Miller get back to me and is happy to ship internationally.
I have the option of a 1lb head with a 16” handle or a 2lb head with a 24” handle. The former I’m sure would be easier to manage but the latter more useful for cutting things bigger than small twigs. There is also a 3lb head but I’m not considering that.
My friend question is which would be more common for someone in the back woods during the mid 1700s? I had thought of Getting the larger head and cutting down the handle to 18-20” so it could hang more comfortably on the belt while being purposeful. But I’d like to stay true to history as much as I can.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 13, 2023 19:11:37 GMT -7
What kind of work do you anticipate doing? The work should determine the tool.
The French “backcountry” was vast… and the reasons why a fella would find himself there were many. So in choosing an ax, you should consider what you’re interpreting and the sort of work to be done.
So… modern use and historic context.
The 3lb head is a “clear the forest and build a house, conquer the wilderness” sort of tool. Good decision to pass.
A 1lb head on a 16”-18” haft is a wonderful woods tool. It’ll limb trees, split small wood if profiled right, quarter game, make tent/tarp stakes, Camp chores, etc. A nice belt axe for voyaging in the woods. An axe if you’re on the move and traveling lightly.
My most used axe in the woods has a 2lb head and a 24” handle. It’ll do everything the 1lb axe will do, it’ll just do it more efficiently. It’ll also fall modest sized trees and split larger wood. You could build a more substantial structure with one and put in much more firewood for an extended camp. This is the axe of your putting up a more permanent camp or working around an established homestead. I look for reasons to use mine around the property all the time. I own a Granfors Bruk Large Forest Ax and it’s magnificent. But I also have 3 or 4 vintage heads restored and ready to be hung. This size ax was known as a “boy’s axe” or “half axe” at different times through history. If you’re going to travel in the woods with this ax, it should be carried on your pack. The French military also made shoulder slings for this size ax.
Let us know what you want to do and you’ll end up coming to the ‘right’ choice without us even needing to tell ya!
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Post by bushfire on Aug 14, 2023 4:46:44 GMT -7
Thank you for the reply.
For me it would be for hunting and camping in the bush/woods. I guess that entails cutting wood for fire, wood for shelter, breaking down game and other sundry activities.
A 1lb head might be most practical for this purpose. Having said that, I have a 1lb hatchet and cutting firewood in the bush is a pain.
But if the larger size requires carry in a pack its probably more trouble than it's worth.
I have an old plumb head that weighs about 2lb I use much like yourself, for everything around the yard. No wood fire anymore but make one in the yard most weekend with the kids.
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