Tomahawk Question

[Spotted Bull]

I was wondering if anyone had ever come across a reference to using one's tomahawk as an offensive weapon, in a non-fictional reading? I have a very good and well-read friend that says he never bothered with learning to throw his because he never found where anyone in history had.

[Ohio Joe]

I can't recall ever reading an historical account where one used a tomahawk as a throwing offensive weapon, but I haven't read everything naturally...  I have read where folks would hunt with them and throw their hawk at a rabbit.

My personal feeling is that throwing hawks at the Rendezvous is just that - throwing hawks, and that probably did happen for fun and wager...

I really can't see throwing an enemy a weapon 'cause that's exactly what a person would be doing if they missed.

[Bigsmoke]

What Joe said.  Couldn't agree more.

[Oldetexian]

I have read nonfiction accounts of using hawks as a weapon by both Native Americans and Settlers, but have NEVER seen anything about hawks being thrown at an enemy. With a flinchlock you get one...maybe two shots before you are going to be "Up close and personal." Don't rightly think I would be throwing away my next best weapon...

[Hawken]

Mel doesn't miss!

[Bigsmoke]

Well, there you go.  Hollywood says it's true, so it much be.  Would they show anything that wasn't true?
Of course, Mel didn't throw his hawk away, he reclaimed it and used it again.
Seems like I have seen a few other movies depicting that sort of thing.
Gotta be factual, more or less.
John

[Hawken]

Well, there you go.  Hollywood says it's true, so it much be.  Would they show anything that wasn't true?
Of course, Mel didn't throw his hawk away, he reclaimed it and used it again.
Seems like I have seen a few other movies depicting that sort of thing.
Gotta be factual, more or less.
John

 

[Ohio Joe]

I liked the Patriot even though there were some flaws.

I do think for a brief time the movie did spur some interest in tomahawk throwing, as well as patriotism. Not necessarily in that order.

 

[Nessmuk]

I like any movie with a muzzleloader  loader in it. Even the wildly historically incorrect  ones. If I'm  looking for accuracy , I  read books.

[Hanshi]

Throwing a tomahawk is the same as throwing a knife.  By that i mean why would one throw a weapon away and leave it for the enemy to retrieve?  True, tv and movies show this being done frequently, but there is another major flaw in such thinking.  A "hawk" has good heft and hits fairly hard; a knife somewhat less.  The problem is that even if the weapon struck the combatant it would be a rare day that the wound would incapacitate.  Notice that in stabbings it often takes multiple blows to kill quickly.  If one didn't get that rare stop from a thrown knife/hawk the enemy would be upon the "thrower" almost immediately.  This has happened when firearms were involved.

[Oldetexian]

Good point. Another observation is about moving targets...can't speak for any of you fellas, but although I am fairly decent with my hawk with a stationary target at a measured distance...I can't imagine throwing it at a moving target trying their best to end my mortal existence...just saying 

[Ohio Joe]

Good point. Another observation is about moving targets...can't speak for any of you fellas, but although I am fairly decent with my hawk with a stationary target at a measured distance...I can't imagine throwing it at a moving target trying their best to end my mortal existence...just saying 

Same here Oldetexian. I can hold my own at a measured distance, but that's where it ends for me. 

[prairie dog]

I've had some training with knives, tomahawks, and other edged weapons.  Throwing them is NOT one of the techniques employed.   

[Oldetexian]

I just read an account of Jesse Hughes being chased by a Shawnee in 1790. Hughes had to stop to rip off his leggins that were not completely fastened and slowing him down. When he paused the Indian was close enough his throw his hawk at Hughes. The hawk grazed his head and then Jesse outran his pursuer.

The account was told by Hughes, but was also included in several other accounts.

[Nessmuk]

I can throw knives and tomahawks fairly accurately and consistently but I CANNOT throw one anywhere near hard enough to disable someone let alone kill them. In a life or death situation, it would be a last act of defiance.

just my 2 cents.