The Tomahawk: A Weapon of Fun, Power, and Expression

The Tomahawk: A Weapon of Expression

The tomahawk might not be the most practical weapon in everyday situations, but you know what? It’s all about expression. It’s about how you wield it and how it connects to your personal style. Some weapons are practical, some are flashy, and then there’s the tomahawk. It’s got a blunt edge for thrusting that can break ribs, dislocate a knee, control a shoulder, and even stop a throat from working if you lodge it in the right place. It’s not just a tool. It’s a statement. It has serious power packed into that sleek, compact design.

The Many Faces of the Tomahawk

Let’s break down why the tomahawk is a weapon that speaks to me, and maybe to you as well.

1. The Hooking Control

   The first thing I want to point out is the hawk’s beak which can be used to control wrists, elbows, necks, and other body nooks & crannies. Anatomically speaking, this is the tomahawks beard. The tip of the beard (the toe) is usually sharp from the blade, or it’s gnarled up pretty badly, enough to cause pain just by gripping. Then add the mental defeat of being controlled by this baby bird and you’re done. Two for the price of one.

   
   

2. The Thrusting Power

   At the tippy top of the tomahawk is the blunt edge. It’s one of the greatest advantages of the weapon. While your opponent is gearing up for big angle attacks, the skull (head) of the tomahawk is already closing distance. It’s made for thrust and puncture. That’s how I use it. I like to turn tools into ninja weapons and use this one to create chaos. Thrust it into the right target and it can dislocate joints, puncture armor, and break bones. Drop it into someone’s rib cage, shoulder, or armpit and you’ve just taken full control of their upper body.

   
   

3. The Power of the Chopping Motion

   If you’ve ever chopped wood, you know the satisfaction of that “THUNK” when it bites into the target. The tomahawk hits the same way. It swings with a chopping and hacking motion perfect for firewood or skinning game when you don’t need the legs. Is that practical? Not in the usual sense. But when you’re out in the wild, it’s a survival tool. It lightens your load and earns its keep.

   
   

4. The Cutting Edge

   Grab that bird under its beard and now you’re holding a knife. But here’s the trick. You’re also holding the tomahawk in an earth grip, and that throws people off like crazy. Clock them in the hand or elbow and you’ve just made an entry with your new knife. Dig that beard in and they’ll be dancing like they're on fire.

   
   

5. The Spike

   Some tomahawks come with a spike on the opposite end of cutting edge for puncturing, talk about a game-changer. When you’ve got the momentum from that swing, the spike allows you to penetrate armor and cause bleeding over time. (Damage over time (DOT), anyone?) Think about it: picking a spot, and letting that spike work its magic. It’s damage that builds, much like a character in Dungeons & Dragons causing gradual harm until the opponent can’t keep up.

   
   

6. The Handle

   This one gets overlooked. Big mistake. You can block with it. You can hook with it. You can turn it into a short halberd. The handle gives you extra reach, better control, and opens the door to more techniques. It turns the tomahawk into a full extension of your body.

Wielding Two Tomahawks

Two tomahawks are a whole different game. Now you’re not just swinging one weapon. You’re managing balance, timing, guard, power, and recovery on both sides. It’s physical. It’s mental. And when you do it right, it’s intimidating.

If holding one tomahawk is power. Then holding two is presence. People don’t just see you as dangerous. They feel it. You’re not throwing punches anymore. You’re creating fear. You’re making a statement: “Don’t mess with me.”

Knowing Your Limits

The tomahawk is incredible, but it has limits. You can’t swing it without thinking. That’s a fast way to wreck your own joints. The key is knowing your body, understanding weight transfer, and training your mechanics.

A sword balances different than a tomahawk. The heft is off. The stop point is different. If you try to stop a tomahawk mid swing and miss the timing, you’ll feel it in your muscles, tendons, and joints. The damage you do to yourself could make you rethink everything.

Expression Over Function

I don’t carry a tomahawk because it’s the best weapon for every fight. I carry it because it’s fun. It’s mine. Much like the style of my gi, rash guard and my spats, it’s about expression. This weapon lets me express something different in my training. When I bring it to the dojo, other dojos, or seminars, people look with a raised eyebrow which is often accompanied with an eyeroll and a smile.

I always tell them the same thing. “The tomahawk is silly...  but It’s sexy &fun. But it also teaches me to move in new ways and express things I can’t with other weapons.” Once people see that, they get it. It clicks.

Same deal with double hook swords. When people ask “What the hell is that for?” I say “For expression and personality.” It has to match the fighter. If you’ve ever seen someone swinging a weapon that just fits them, you understand. You’re not trying to jam a square hole into a round peg. You’re moving how you’re supposed to move.

The Takeaway

At the end of the day, the tomahawk is a weapon of expression. It’s not the most efficient, but it’s cool. It’s fun. And when used right, it hits hard. It’s about style. It’s about creativity. It’s about bringing something new to your hands and making it yours.

Whether you go one tomahawk, two, or pair it with a knife, it all brings value. You train with it and you’ll find out quick. It’s not about practicality. It’s about how you move. How you express. How you fight your way.

Your Turn

What’s your take on the tomahawk? Do you train with one? What are your favorite techniques? How do you express your style with it? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk shop.