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Post by spence on Dec 18, 2019 13:04:42 GMT -7
I hauled my deer home for butchering for a lot of years, but no more. I started hanging and deboning them where they fall, near 'nuff, at least 10 years ago. That means I never have need for either axe or saw, just a good sharp knife and about 2 hours of work. I don't wind up with any recognizable cuts, but that is zero problem for me. Here's what is left when I'm finished. Spence
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Post by armando on Mar 6, 2020 19:51:15 GMT -7
I've accumulated four tomahawks over the years, all bought from either vendors or blacksmiths with forges set up at the NMLRA meets at Friendship, Indiana. All are pretty basic, not fancy, but three of the four are decorated in some way. My favorite throwing hawk, I call it the squaw ax, weighs only 1 lb. 4 oz., with scroll engravings and silver metal crescent moons inlet on both sides. A larger one with a silver heart inlet on one side and a running deer engraved on the other, brass tacks on the handle. The one I usually carry, a bit heavier, 1 lb. 12 oz., with a small poll and a heart-shaped punched out hole. It throws reasonably well, has a bit more heft for chores on a trek. The smallest one was sold as a Fort Meigs axe, but I have no documentation for that. I do have a sketch of what looks like a nearly identical one, from Carl Russell's Firearms, Traps and Tools of the Mountain Men. The original belonged to Gen. Samuel Hopkins, late 18th century, and is owned by the John James Audubon museum at Henderson, Kentucky. It is called the Kentucky pattern tomahawk. Spence Spence I like all of these! Quick question, I would like to stain my handles and get brass tacks. What kind of brass tacks did you use? Was it a common document to practice in the 18th century?
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Post by spence on Mar 6, 2020 20:45:49 GMT -7
I'm afraid I can't be of much help on your questions, armando. I bought the hawk with the brass tacks as you see it, at Friendship, IN, at an NMLRA meet, so I don't know what kind of tacks they are.. I think of brass tacks as having been used in the western fur trade era, not the colonial one, but don't know if they were ever put on hawk handles even then. Maybe someone else can offer some info.
Spence
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 6, 2020 20:53:05 GMT -7
I was never quite satisfied with the blacksmith tomahawks/axes I have, so I made this one by converting a modern hatchet head. I am very satisfied with this one. Keith.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 6, 2020 21:06:38 GMT -7
I've accumulated four tomahawks over the years, all bought from either vendors or blacksmiths with forges set up at the NMLRA meets at Friendship, Indiana. All are pretty basic, not fancy, but three of the four are decorated in some way. My favorite throwing hawk, I call it the squaw ax, weighs only 1 lb. 4 oz., with scroll engravings and silver metal crescent moons inlet on both sides. A larger one with a silver heart inlet on one side and a running deer engraved on the other, brass tacks on the handle. The one I usually carry, a bit heavier, 1 lb. 12 oz., with a small poll and a heart-shaped punched out hole. It throws reasonably well, has a bit more heft for chores on a trek. The smallest one was sold as a Fort Meigs axe, but I have no documentation for that. I do have a sketch of what looks like a nearly identical one, from Carl Russell's Firearms, Traps and Tools of the Mountain Men. The original belonged to Gen. Samuel Hopkins, late 18th century, and is owned by the John James Audubon museum at Henderson, Kentucky. It is called the Kentucky pattern tomahawk. Spence Spence I like all of these! Quick question, I would like to stain my handles and get brass tacks. What kind of brass tacks did you use? Was it a common document to practice in the 18th century? I have not seen any original tomahawks/axes from the 18th century with brass tack decoration, I tend to associate this with the Rocky Mountain fur trade era, but I can't say I have seen any originals from that period with tacks either. The problem with adding tacks is that the head can not be removed for finer work or scraping hides, & it can make it difficult to remove a broken helve to fit a new one in the field. I recommend that you check out the following link before you start adding tacks Armando www.furtradetomahawks.com/Regards, Keith.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 7, 2020 5:34:05 GMT -7
I'm with Keith. Tacks seem to be more of a Fur Trade thing and I'd avoid them as decorations. That said, I prefer a hammerpoll axe over a tomahawk....
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Post by hawkeyes on Mar 7, 2020 7:15:35 GMT -7
I also favor a pole axe. My reproduction is based upon this example dated to the later part of the 18th century. This particular piece was apparently made in Winchester Virginia around 1760. Sold at auction in 2016 from Wallace Guslers private collection.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2020 13:55:46 GMT -7
I'm with Keith. Tacks seem to be more of a Fur Trade thing and I'd avoid them as decorations. That said, I prefer a hammerpoll axe over a tomahawk.... I found that a hammer poll tends to split stakes when hammering them into the ground. A round poll does less damage, & a square poll like the one I use is even better. But I guess that depends on what you use the axe for. Keith.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2020 13:57:01 GMT -7
I also favor a pole axe. My reproduction is based upon this example dated to the later part of the 18th century. This particular piece was apparently made in Winchester Virginia around 1760. Sold at auction in 2016 from Wallace Guslers private collection. Nice looking axe, I like it. Keith.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 7, 2020 14:42:25 GMT -7
I'm with Keith. Tacks seem to be more of a Fur Trade thing and I'd avoid them as decorations. That said, I prefer a hammerpoll axe over a tomahawk.... I found that a hammer poll tends to split stakes when hammering them into the ground. A round poll does less damage, & a square poll like the one I use is even better. But I guess that depends on what you use the axe for. Keith. Primarily cutting firewood and making/pounding stakes (as well as cleaning an odd squirrel or two).
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2020 15:19:50 GMT -7
I found that a hammer poll tends to split stakes when hammering them into the ground. A round poll does less damage, & a square poll like the one I use is even better. But I guess that depends on what you use the axe for. Keith. Primarily cutting firewood and making/pounding stakes (as well as cleaning an odd squirrel or two). Nice looking axe mate, I too prefer the heavier head. Keith.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2020 15:26:18 GMT -7
I carry mine for shelter construction, making & hammering in stakes, making traps, throwing for recreation & practice, defence, butchering game, & even hunting if the need should arise. I have never had to use my axe for cutting firewood, there is always plenty lying on the forest floor here & I can break long lengths over a rock if I need to. Keith.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 7, 2020 15:40:17 GMT -7
Primarily cutting firewood and making/pounding stakes (as well as cleaning an odd squirrel or two). Nice looking axe mate, I too prefer the heavier head. Keith. Started as something like
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Mar 7, 2020 16:59:34 GMT -7
Nice looking axe mate, I too prefer the heavier head. Keith. Started as something like Well done! An excellent transformation! Keith.
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 7, 2020 17:01:32 GMT -7
I have a second head awaiting an encounter with sanding belts and a hickory hammer handle to re-shape.
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