October 25, 2017 Share 0 Tweet Share 0 What if we told you that there’s an easy way to make a tomahawk. No doubt, there are several reasons why having a tomahawk can be useful. Seriously, a tomahawk is much lighter in weight and more versatile than an axe, and some consider it a more convenient tool. US Army Rangers still use tomahawks in hand to hand combat for that reason precisely. It’s lighter and has a shorter handle, so it’s easier to throw with precision, and it’s easy to carry around on your outdoor excursions. However, you don’t have to be a soldier to find use for a tomahawk. It’s ideal for combat and protection, but it’s also good for chopping wood and tree limbs. There are two ways to make this important piece of equipment; with metal if you have the adequate tools, or stone, which is the more primitive way. Metal Using this method takes some skill, so we suggest you only opt for it if you have experience with welding and cutting. If you do, it won’t take you longer than a few hours to make your tomahawk. This kind of tomahawk will come in handy in different situations, from doing work in the yard to protecting your self from a would-be attacker. Here are the materials and tools you’ll need: -A scrap steel sheet 4x5x1/4×3/16 -1-3/4inch pipe coupling -1inch hardwood dowel -Metal cutting blade -Grinder -Welding table with clamp All you need are these tools, the knowledge and know-how, and a few hours. Once you’re done, you’ll have an impressive and quality tomahawk that’s better than any you’ve used before. The first step is to cut the metal into the desired shape of the blade. You want to take your metal sheet and draw the shape of the tomahawk head on it. If you don’t know how to draw well, we suggest you research for some templates online for guidance. Once you draw it, cut it using a metal cutting blade. The next step is to use your grinder and sharpen the thick edge. This wide edge is what will become the blade. Now that you have the edge sharp and smooth, you’re almost done. All you have to do now is add the pipe coupling to the smaller end. The coupling is exactly what makes the thimble where we attach the handle. For this part, you’ll need a welding table and a clamp. You’ll need to sand the end a bit before it’s able to fit the coupling. The best is to do this step-by-step and slowly so that you don’t overdo it. Stone This version is a bit harder and requires more skill and strength than the previous method. But on the plus side, it doesn’t take much time to do, so you should get done rather quickly. Here’s what you’ll need: -Three stones (flat and large to use as a head, one suitable for pounding, and one stone for grinding) -Post -Leather or sinew Find a stone that’s flat, firm, and not cracked. This will serve as the head of your tomahawk. Also, you’ll need another stone for pounding the flat stone. When you pound, make sure to do it gently, but still apply enough force to be able to shape the stone. We suggest you use a log underneath to work as a board. A good tip to remember is to choose a stone that’s already shaped like what you’re trying to achieve. This will save you time and make the whole process a lot easier. Once you’ve reached a particular shape that you’re happy with, you have to do some sanding. Use your sanding rock to work and grind the edge of the blade. In our opinion, the best sanding stone to use is sandstone or granite. That may take some time, but there’s no doubt you’ll have a fully functional tomahawk head. Don’t forget to secure the head with sinew or leather stripes to whatever post you’ve chosen. When it comes to selecting a post, make sure to get the one that’s about 1-2 inches in diameter. Also, make sure it’s not longer than 17 inches. It’s good to know how to make this item without any special tools. This kind of tool is easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of resources. You can make it anywhere, and that’s what makes it most useful for when you’re camping. No doubt, having a tomahawk at home is more than useful. You can use it for chopping wood, as well as for personal protection. Just because you have a metal tomahawk doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how to make one out of stone, too. It can be useful and convenient to know how to make this kind of equipment with limited resources and tools.
