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Throwing hawk – Standard $40, Weeping Heart $45
Close-up standard throwing hawk $40
Close-up
weeping heart throwing hawk $45
THROWING
HAWK:
This
throwing tomahawk is made from a high carbon horsehoof rasp. It is
heated, folded over, forge welded and hammered to shape. It is then
ground to final shape, sharpened and hardened on the cutting edge. The coarse side of the rasp is on the
outside as can be seen on the eye part of the head. They are tough and can withstand
thousands of throws without breaking. The head is 7 inches long and the
handle is 19 inches. The blade portion is typically 3 ˝ inches wide.
With
the blade shape, handle size and length, these hawks rotate once at six
paces (six yards) when thrown without trying to spin it. This means the hawk should be thrown
with a follow through like throwing a baseball or reaching out to shake
hands. For right-handers step
forward with the left foot during the release, leaning forward, and let
her go. Follow through with the throwing arm - don't stop part way through
the release. Depending on the release style, the distance may need to be
adjusted a foot or so. If the top
end hits first step forward a half step, if the handle end hits first
step back a half step. By
throwing from 12 paces the hawk will rotate twice.
Stare
at a point of the target you want to hit. After awhile you will be surprised how easily you can hit
what you are looking at. Don’t
just throw at the target in general - pick out a spot.
The
handle will come loose during a bad throw, where the handle hits
first. Tap the top end on a piece
of wood to reseat the handle. If
the handle becomes too loose after a lot of use, insert a small (approx.
1 inch by 1 1/2 inch) piece of thin leather between the forward edge of
the handle and the eye at the top end.
This seats the handle and keeps it from loosening easily.
After
a lot of practice you can put a little spin on it to account for variable
throwing distances that are not exactly 6 yards. This does take a lot of experience.
End
grain wood such as a cross section of a big log is ideal for sticking the
hawk. The sides of boards are not very good for sticking. Ends of timbers that have been cut to
a foot or so in length and banded together makes a good target.
The
handle is a standard hickory throwing hawk handle purchased from Atlanta
Cutlery. I usually have some on hand also.
Enjoy
it - it's fun to throw!! Be
careful!! This can be a deadly
weapon. Have everyone stand
behind the thrower. Always practice safety.
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