While we’re talkin’ tomahawk…
Ball and Buck — purveyor of (very) high-end fieldwear and accessories — announced the drop of a collaboration with the legendary Daniel Winkler on a matched camp axe and knife set. The pair will run you $1,100 which is way too many plews for this Frontier Partisan, but some well-heeled booshways might want to outfit themselves thus…
American Tomahawk Co. also commands a premium in plews, but it’s one that’s at least within shootin’ distance. The Model 3 is mighty handsome…
When that model was introduced, everything in my Frontier Partisan heart cried out to get my hands on that bearded badass. Thing is, my old Wettlerlings is as good a hatchet as you can get, and it has served me well for many a season. I just don’t need a ’hawk built to fill the tool function. Better to go with the straight-up weapon — the Model 1, which is a revival of the Vietnam War VTAC.
What really caught my eye is the newly introduced Universal Tomahawk Rig. I love stuff like this…
The Universal Tomahawk Rig offers multiple ways to carry your tomahawk. It can be carried over the shoulder or cross body with the included strap. It can also be mounting to PALS webbing with a set of included MOLLE High-Ride MOC Straps.
Monk says
Got my heart set on an American Tomahawk Co, Pipe Tomahawk sold (out)
on these shores by an outfit called Kilmarnock Forge.
Wondering if this is the same AT Co. you are referring to.
If anyone has any tips re affordable pipe hawks, good for throwing,
I would like to hear about it.
Squire Rusticus says
I bought a Winkler WK Combat Axes with the Curley Maple handle about a month ago ( A local store here at Fayetteville-Bragg had it in stock), and it is a beautiful !!! Most of the signs around town still say Ft. Bragg which is what it will always be to me. My Grandfather was here with the 77th SF in the 1950’s. I was able to get a push dagger with a sculpted walnut handle (would have preferred the maple) at the same gun store (Jim’s Pawn). At home have a Winkler II skull crusher knife in green canvas, and a Belt knife in Maple. All great items….
The axe is something one has to feel and see to get the full measure of the item. It seemed a great luxury for a utility item, but once I held the axe I was enchanted by the item and the possibilities. I have Granfors Brux axes that were expensive but well worth the lifetime of use I will be getting out of them (and that they will pass on to future generations, as they will always be useful). One of the bearded Scandinavian specialty axes I bought was fairly expensive, and quite a find in a Gillette, Wyoming Sporting Goods store. With the Winkler axe I had to hold and feel what it was that I would be getting that moved me forward toward the purchase of the axe. True craftsmanship !!!
When the “Last of the Mohicans” came out, it changed the direction of Fur trade reenactment scene for all time, and the hope to have a Winkler Knife, seemed remote.
The fantastic Blacksmith Joe De la Ronde made axes that made the same impression, as did his knives when one was able to not only gaze, be feel the quality seethe out of these tools that are also an art form, a tool that is capable of giving life (making firewood, shelter) or taking it.
With my firearms I’m going back to wood stocks, getting away from polymers. I do not believe I could have enough tools, firearms, furniture made with curley or tiger maple.
JimC says
Outstanding. A good friend has a Winkler, and it is all that. You have some fine kit there.
Russell L Lucas says
I saw this the other day. https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/05/revolutionary-war-tomahawk-sold-for-world-record-price-by-lancaster-county-auction-house.html
Great history
JimC says
Thanks for sharing this.