TomaHawk Throwing

The art of HawkThrowing is an amazing one, encouraging competition at Rendevous and other functions worldwide. The Native American Indian used the Tomahawk for survival, protection and even smoking tobacco. Axe and knife throwing were social activities in Europe during the Renaissance and for the Vikings. Men of the early colonies involved in a skirmish were willing to throw away their muzzle shooters to continue the fight with the tomahawk. The crates containing the water soaked tea, after being thrown into the bay at the Boston Tea Party, were forced open by the blows of a Tomahawk.

Today, avid enthusiasts keep the art of Tomahawk Throwing alive by attending Rendevous and Gun Shows to exhibit and compete, to demonstrate and participate in games. There are various theories on how the hawk or knife should be thrown. The majority of training videos found explained that the throw should be from a pre-determined distance. For instance, a thrower would pace off 12 feet and throw every hawk from that distance at a pre-set target.

 The throwing in the above video is based upon the premise that a tomahawk can be thrown from any distance and still hit its target in a controlled manner.  This is a new perspective for hawk throwing.

Key elements for hawk throwing are: focus, control, appropriate equipment and safety precautions.

Focus: In order to hit the target, place the hawk at the desired position, release the hawk with the appropriate projection.

Control: Is required to place the hawk appropriately in the target and to move the arm, so release the hawk is done correctly.

Equipment: Attention must be placed on the length of handle, size of head and the functions that tomahawk will perform.

Safety precautions: Tomahawk throwing is not for public areas. It should not be performed until sufficient Knowledge of the sport is attained. Safety issues include restricted areas for performing, proper targets and sharpening of heads.

The tomahawk of the 17^th century has survived the ages by adapting itself to the ways of people. Going from the survival mode to the game mode as so many things do in our society. One thing to keep in mind, should the tomahawk be needed for survival or defense, it still has those capabilities.

An interesting timeline on Tomahawks can be reviewed at http://ow.ly/R9NY.