Tomahawk Vs. Axe Vs. Hatchet – you have probably used all of these during your hunting or camping feats. Contrary to what most people think, these tools are not so similar at all. In fact, there are quite a few differences between them, all of which sets them apart from each other and makes them suitable for different uses.
All of these can usually be used to perform similar functions. However, you will get a lot more benefit out of them without using as much energy or resources, once you get to know the particular use of their functions. They will work better and with more sophistication once they start to carry out the tasks that they were equipped for.
Proper knowledge regarding these tools can thus be beneficial to you for choosing which tool serves your purpose the best.
Tomahawk
Deadly and accurate- these are the perfect words to describe this genius tool. The best tomahawk tool was mostly used by North American Indians for various purposes, such as hunting, cutting logs, making shelters and so on.
Features of a Tomahawk
- It has a straight shaft around 25 inches long
- The shaft may be used as a blunt tool
- The handle has a moderate weight – around 500 grams
- The head is usually wooden but some may be made of fiberglass as well
- A spike on the edge of the butt near the handle
- The cutting of the edge is quite sharp and is around 10-12 centimeters
- Tomahawks are generally used for carrying out tasks that require cutting with a sharp edge
- Some notable uses of it are splitting ends, chopping objects, cutting ropes and so on
- They are preferred for hunting activities
Axe
No need to boil your brains out, this is a pretty straight forward tool which is being designed and used by people for over thousands of years.
Features of an Axe
- It has a head, haft containing heel and shoulder near the head, and a grip at the lower part.
- Some axes have a bearded head, which makes them more elongated around the edges
- The haft is a synthetic combination of different materials and can be used as a blunt tool as well
- The blade in an axe is sharper than that in a tomahawk.
- It cuts wooden logs very efficiently and also separates them, owing to its double-handed feature.
- This tool can also be used for hunting, camping, cutting, framing and such heavy work like this
- Chisel shaped axes are used mainly for cutting timber
Hatchet
A hatchet is a miniature axe. The handles are shorter in length and are designed to be used by one hand.
Features of Hatchet
- This tool is extremely lightweight and sophisticated, so it can easily be carried around in a bag on a daily basis.
- The length of the handle is around 30 inches.
- The cutting edge of the blade is moderately sharp
- It is not suitable for splitting large logs but can be used for cutting wood
- It is used for campfires due to its ability to generate fire through friction.
- It is used for transforming logs to timber and providing them with the desired form.
- Another particular use of this is that it can cut and slice away meat very easily during camping or such places. So it is also a multi-functioning tool as well.
The handle is either made of wood or some other thing that is very lightweight so that it can absorb impacts more quickly.
Differences noted about Tomahawk Vs. Axe Vs. Hatchet
Now that you know about the product features, let us dive into the differences between the products. Although the main concept of the products is the same, they are still unique in a lot of ways.
Handedness
The most notable difference observed is that both tomahawks and hatchets are single-handed tools. Axe, on the other hand, is double-handed.
Due to the difference in handedness, tomahawks and hatchets are way better and easier to use. They also provide protection when faced with adverse situations!
Axe, on the other hand, has a double-handed feature, which allows it to be mostly used mostly for heavy purposes.
Body Structure
Among the three tools, the hatchet has the lightest body-weight and are preferred for expeditions and easy carrying. The axe is the heaviest among all three, and it has a relatively heavier haft.
Both axe and hatchet have narrow eyes near the handle while a tomahawk has a rounder eye.
The handle of the hatchet is the shortest among all three. Tomahawks have a little shaft, which are not present in the other two.
Edge
The cutting edge is sharper, and more pointed in an ax than in the latter ones. The second sharpest edge is the tomahawk. The hatchet has a less sharp edge and is not suitable for heavy activities. The sharpness of the blade is a primary factor to consider for any type of use.
Use
The most suitable tool for splitting logs is the ax, and next in line comes the tomahawk. The hatchet is not designed for the splitting of logs but can be used to frame timbers to its desired form.
Due to its heavy blade and the single-handed feature, the most appropriate one to be used as a weapon among all three is the tomahawk.
The axe can be used for a greater impact, but it is difficult due to its double-handed nature. The hatchet meanwhile has a single-handed nature and can be used as a means of protection in the wild, in cases of emergency.
Conclusion
Although tomahawks, axes, and hatchets are remarkably similar due to their identical shapes and features, they have many differences between them.
So, it is essential to identify which tool serves which purpose, so that it is easier to for us to choose. Good knowledge of their distinguishing features can thus be of utmost help and assistance while dealing with tools falling under this category.
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