Survival Tool- Tomahawk ?

This picture made me think...
We all know about the tactical properies and uses of the Tomahawk.
Do you think there is a place for it in survival "hunting"?

 

Not that easy to hunt medium animals up close and personal, but in a pinch, it will work..(or not?)

 

I have never used one as an actual tool. My gut says " yes it will work " on the right size game, and just like anything, it will require practice to be proficient. I have never been to keen on throwing a weapon. If you don't kill the target you may never get it back. JMHO.

I would be reasonably confident that Keith will be able to give us a very detailed explanation on if it will work; and on how to properly use a tomahawk, and I am just as certain that he has forgotten more about tomahawks than I will ever know. He is the resident expert.

 

For killing medium animals without a gun or a bow/crossbow, I would first choose a spear. I am not a 'hawk fan. For chopping and other working tasks, a good hatchet is better imo. I have a nice estwing I like Trying to chop with a 'hawk requires more effort/calories expended for the same amount of wood processed imo. Even in combat with a two legged predator, I would prefer my hatchet over a hawk, but imo I would pick my KBar first if I couldn't use a gun for whatever reason. Honestly though, if I had access to one, I would pick a spear for that too.

 

I guess it would always work as well as a rabbit stick but there are so many better choices for rabbit hunting.

 

I like a good "rabbit stick", but I use them for birds too. Throwing one into a flock will almost certainly net you 1 or more meals.

 

I like the Apatchie star style for birds. It is two sticks tied in an X shape. The bent sticks are more than just sticks. They like a boomerang use their shape to allow longer throws.



A tomahawk is a wonderful compromise tool that lends itself to so many uses. It is light and easier to carry and throw than a hatchet. When you slide the head off the shaft it is a knife similar to the Alaskan Ulu.


It is a weapon that can chop wood, skin a deer or rabbit, slice and dice while cooking and the handle makes a handy club or throwing stick. I like them, especially because if you break the handle you can quickly make a replacement with the head as your tool.


Add a small poll to the back side and it is a hammer for driving pegs in the ground and such small tasks around the camp.