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Post by spence on Sept 27, 2022 20:04:41 GMT -7
Soon after I got involved with re-enacting I tried my hand at throwing the tomahawk. I enjoyed it from the start, and it has remained a fun activity on many of my treks. Especially if I'm making a meal, I occupy myself by doing some shooting and throwing the hawk while it cooks. At some time I've now forgotten, I decided to try knife throwing, too. I eventually got a crude knife dedicated to throwing and good for nothing else. I enjoyed that, too. My favorite throwing hawk weighs just over one pound, and the knife exactly the same. That seems to help my switch from one to the other with little problem. I never take that knife on treks, but play with it only while at home.  There are historical references to throwing the hawk from the day, but I've never run across anything about knife throwing. I know knives such as the one I have are certainly not HC, but throwing it is a fun way to spend an hour. Is any of this familiar? Is throwing the knife something you have incorporated into your persona, or have you enjoyed doing it just because? Spence |
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Post by hawkeyes on Sept 28, 2022 4:45:58 GMT -7
I myself throw the hawk around the house more often than not and honestly never gave it much attention! Over the years I've taught the kids and they enjoy it immensely.
Concerning knives I've never thrown one... At the spring and fall shoot I attend here in Ohio country it's a good pastime with the fellas and they all seem to have fun doing it. Many of them forge their own dedicated throwers and matched sets. For me though I very much enjoy the hawk throw, but just never took an interest to the knife. As I understand the mechanics are similar?
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Post by Black Hand on Sept 28, 2022 5:42:19 GMT -7
While I have done both, I hesitate at the wisdom of throwing away a perfectly good weapon....  |
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Post by spence on Sept 28, 2022 6:31:23 GMT -7
The NAs apparently didn't worry about that.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, "Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1783"
“The other, being a poor runner, was pursued by an Indian who after a smart chase came close to him. The man then wheeled round and snapped his gun at the Indian. This he repeated several times. The Indian then threw his tomahawk at his head but missed him;”
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
September 13, 1760
CHARLES-TOWN
“At day light Mr. Miln, with the negro Abram, went in pursuit of the deserter as far as Twelve-mile river; but not overtaking him there, returned; and as they were crossing Crow-Creek, which is very near the fort, they were fired at by three Indians, who shot one of Abram's boots through and his horse under him, and as he fell threw a tomahawk which struck him on the back;”
Spencer Records memoir, Pioneer Experiences in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. 1766-1836
“They then sprung towards the old lady, one of them threw his tomahawk, and stuck it in a tree near her head: she however stuck to her saddle, and her horse soon carried her safe home.”
A History of the Daniel Boone National Forest, 1770-1970, by the U.S. Park service:
“When Jemima Boone and the other girls were rescued from the Shawnee, one of them threw his tomahawk at Jemima but missed.”
I've never found a reference to settlers throwing the hawk in combat, but Doddridge makes it clear they were familiar with the idea.
"Throwing the tomahawk was another boyish sport, in which many acquired considerable skill. The tomahawk with its handle of a certain length will make a given number of turns in a given distance. Say in five steps it will strike high with the edge, handle downwards ; at the distance of seven and a half, it will strike with the edge, the handle upwards, and so on. A little experience enabled the boy to measure the distance with his eye, when walking through the woods, and strike a tree with his tomahawk in any way he chose."
Spence
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Post by paranger on Sept 28, 2022 7:09:13 GMT -7
Yes, I have seen citations such as these, and I seem to remember another involving the Cherry Valley Massacre.
It seems like a common theme is hawks thrown at victims either fleeing or unarmed (or both). Makes sense to me, as discarding a weapon against an armed and determined adversary - as Black Hand suggests - is a poor tactical choice.
I admit it is fun, though.😁
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Post by hawkeyes on Sept 28, 2022 7:32:21 GMT -7
Very interesting citations and quotes, much enjoyed them Spence.
I can see the hawk being a last-ditch effort to subdue your adversary to stop. Judging by the skill of some I'd very much dislike being the recipient of such a tactic.
I have a reproduction British infantry axe that throws exceptionally well. I've found those small generic tomahawks you can purchase from many of the retailers haven't the mass nor balance to throw worth a darn. Makes me wonder if many of the period trade axes exhibited the same inconsistencies?
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Post by brokennock on Sept 28, 2022 8:31:31 GMT -7
I played around with throwing a knife many, many, years ago. Way before my involvement in our historical interests.
The idea of a dedicated "throwing knife" bothered me so I messed around with throwing a K-Bar and some other knives. It didn't hold my interest. Now a sharpened screw-driver on the other hand...... Well,,, that's a different story and subject.
Haven't really thrown my tomahawks either. I see them mostly as a tool and maybe as a last ditch close quarters weapon.
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Post by Black Hand on Sept 28, 2022 11:14:01 GMT -7
Judging by the skill of some I'd very much dislike being the recipient of such a tactic. May be a great distraction,,, but recall humans don't hold still at a predetermined distance for the convenience of the thrower....  |
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Post by hawkeyes on Sept 29, 2022 5:29:33 GMT -7
Judging by the skill of some I'd very much dislike being the recipient of such a tactic. May be a great distraction,,, but recall humans don't hold still at a predetermined distance for the convenience of the thrower.... Hey, Mel Gibson in the Patriot makes it look easy! |
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Keith
Hunter
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 1,002 
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Post by Keith on Sept 29, 2022 16:22:24 GMT -7
I doubt very much that any woodsman or woods woman would carry a knife especially for throwing, & I certainly would not throw my hunting knife unless I considered I had no other choice. The tomahawk yes, I enjoy throwing the tomahawk/axe & consider it a necessary skill.
Keith.
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