Originally created in Native America by the Algonquian Indians, the tomahawk was both a weapon and a useful multi-purpose tool. Constructed primarily from a sharpened stone and attached to wooden a handle with rawhide straps. The tomahawk was used for cutting, chopping, hunting as well as hand to hand combat. When the Europeans landed in North America, they introduced the Native Americans to the metal blade thus greatly improving the effectiveness of this versatile tool. Fast forward to present day and one manufacturer has perfected the size shape and weight of the tomahawk with their SOG Voodoo Hawk Mini.
Throwing the VooDoo Hawk Mini:
The SOG VooDoo Hawk Mini is a modern version of this ancient weapon. Constructed from 3CR13MOV stainless steel, the head of this tomahawk would be the envy of the original inventors. The SOG VooDoo Hawk Mini features a 2.75″ extended cutting head up front and a spike on the opposite side for piercing applications. With a glass reinforced handle measuring 12″ and capped with a robust metal pommel, VooDoo Hawk Mini shows it’s lineage to the original design primarily as a weapon.
SOG produces several variations of tomahawks and the VooDoo Hawk is a brilliant combination of their Tactical Tomahawk and Fasthawk. Employing the best attributes of these two proven tools and merging them into a more compact unit is where you’ll find the VooDoo Hawk “Mini”. This compact version is designed to be lighter and more portable. Ideal for paddlers, hunters, backpacking or any type of travel where weight and size are paramount.
SOG Tomahawks
I own a couple of SOG tomahawks and enjoy throwing them in the back yard with my sons for fun. The added weight of the metal pommel found at the base of the handle makes the SOG VooDoo Hawk Mini a fantastic balanced thrower. It’s durable construction is repeatedly tested with every miss we register. The only issue I came across after tossing this hawk was a slightly loosened head. Which was easily tightened with a star tipped wrench. And the blade has held up like a champ. Despite its several impacts into the rocky soil behind my intended target.
SOG VooDoo Hawk Mini Specs courtesy of sogknives.com:
- OVERALL LENGTH 12.5″
- PRODUCT WEIGHT 23.10 OZ
- BLADE LENGTH 2.75″
- PRODUCT TYPE AXE
- FINISH SATIN
- ENGRAVABLE: YES
- HARDNESS: RC. 46-52
- BLADE STEEL TYPE: 3CR13MOV
- EDGE TYPE: STRAIGHT
- HANDLE MATERIAL: GLASS-REINFORCED NYLON
- HANDLE COLOR: BLACK
- SHEATH INCLUDED: YES
- COLOR: BLACK
- SHEATH MATERIAL: BALLISTIC NYLON
- ATTACHMENT TYPE: BELT LOOP
- SHEATH CLOSURE TYPE: SNAP
- MSRP: $49.95
Throughout history, the tomahawk can be found in all conflicts up to and including the most recent in the Middle East. Below is an excerpt originally posted in BladeForums.com from a soldier that utilized a tomahawk to kill an enemy combatant at such a close and confined range that his firearm wasn’t effective:
Ranger Kills Enemy with Tomahawk
“MY NAME IS SFC KENNETH X. XXXXX, I AM IN X Co (HEAVY WEAPONS) X/XXX PIR 82 ND ABN DIV. I RECEIVED A TACTICAL TOMAHAWK AS A GOING AWAY GIFT FROM 5th RTB IN JANUARY 0F 2002. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH FTX’S JUMPS AND A DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. I HAVE USE IT TO PRY LOCKS, CHOP DOWN DOORS, BUST WINDOWS, CUT FIRE WOOD, DIG, AND AS SUBSTITUTE FOR MY ASP BATON.”
“ON 18 OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN, I USED IT TO SAVE A FELLOW TROOPERS LIFE. WE WERE CLEARING AN OBJECTIVE WHEN MY #2 ENTERED A CLOSET UNDER A STAIRWELL AND CAME FACE TO FACE WITH TWO ARMED ENEMY. DUE TO THE TIGHTNESS OF THE SPACE, HE WAS UNABLE TO USE HIS M-4, SO HE ENGAGED THEM HAND TO HAND. MY #3 WAS ABLE TO KILL ONE MAN, BUT I COULD NOT GET A SHOT AT THE SECOND, SO I HIT HIM WITH THE HATCHET EDGE OF THE TOMAHAWK JUST ABOVE THE OCCIPITAL BONE. THE TOMAHAWK PENETRATED ALL THE WAY TO HANDLE, INSTANTLY DROPPING THE ENEMY. NO KNIFE SHORT OF A MACHETE WOULD HAVE MADE SUCH SHORT WORK OF A MAN. THANK YOU FOR MAKING SUCH A GREAT BIT OF KIT, AND SUPPORTING THE TROOPS. RLTW.”
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