Bleeding Heart Tomahawk (Allan Foundry) Review
Sept 11, 2009 23:36:52 GMT
Post by Avery on Sept 11, 2009 23:36:52 GMT
Allan Foundry Bleeding Heart
by Avery Pierce
Stats
Handle length - 18"
Handle Material - American Hickory
Axe Head Length (from back to the blade face)- 5 1/2"
Axe Head Width Blade Face Length -(peak to peak) 3 3/4"
Bevel Width - 3/8"
Axe Material - 4140 alloy steel
Weight - 14oz
POB 15" from end of handle ( if the handle is a standard and unmodified, this will change.)
Price - $35-$45 USD
Introduction
This is yet another axe I've had for some time and thought I'd toss out a review of. I bought this axe from my cousin not to long ago. He has owned it for over ten years, originally buying it from the local trading post in Hickory, N.C. A place called "Ledfords Trading Post". If you live in the Piedmont area of N.C. and are looking for a good axe, the guys at Ledfords won't let you down.
History
First off, this section is going to be longer than usual. There hasn't been ( to my knowledge) an in depth review of a tomahawk. So I thought along with this review, I'd offer a little history of the tomahawk itself.
The word "Tomahawk" is derived from the Algonquian tribe of Virginia. When Jamestown was settled, John Smith, in his notes, wrote of the tribes weapons. Amoung them was a flint axe, called a "Tamahak" or "Tamahakan". As time progressed and European influence spread, the flint was replaced with iron, and then steel. The warrior below is seen holding an original Tamahakan. A length of wood for a handle attached to a shaped rock.
I don't believe there is a more iconic image of native American warfare than the tomahawk.
This axe, the bleeding heart or sometimes called the weeping heart, has alot of myth and lore surrounding it.
. The shape of this particular axe head has both French and British trade influence. The flattened back of the eye denotes a British influence, while the cheeks and upswept blade lends itself toward the French.
Now, heres the kicker. Ask ten different people about the meaning of the heart cut out, and you'll get ten different answers. I've never seen a concrete reason for the heart, but have heard many stories. Imagine sitting around a campfire with a group of modern day mountain men. Instead of telling ghost stories, we tell stories of the heart. The stories always start out with the same 2 words. " Some say...."
Heres a couple of examples.
Some say that the heart was the heart and soul of the axe. It was removed by a shaman during a ritual before a great battle.
The axe was then given to a great warrior. The axe, missing his own heart, would then take the heart of any enemy it was thrown toward.
Or...
Some say that there was a great warrior born in the Oconaluftee village deep in the Smokey mountains. His mother, knowing of his future greatness, took the iron heart form her fathers axe and placed it over her own sons heart. The child grew into a fierce warrior, and no matter what struck him in his heart he was protected by the iron.
Theres a ton more stories, but that kinda gives you an idea.
Handle
As always with Allan axes, this is an American straight grained hickory handle. But, the eye on this axe is a bit smaller than other axes. The replacement handle seen below is a standard handle with no modification. See how much of the top is exposed?............
And this is a picture of the same type of handle after I shaved and sanded it down............
Now, you could always just cut the excess off, but think about it. Less handle means less distance from the target, not something I think anybody would want. Also, it doesn't take alot of work to shave the handle down. Here's a pic of the 2 handles, side by side. The one on the left hasn't been shaved. As you can see, it's not that much wood to remove.
Axehead
This particular axe has a little more character than your regular axe. The slight upsweep on the tip coupled with the relief bevel of the beard and heart gives this axe its flair. Its' original finish was a flat black look. I took the finish off, gently, with a wire wheel. I put more effort in some areas and lightly went over others. Kinda giving it a patina.
The heart cut out on this one is much better than others I've seen. I'm not sure if the heart was cut out after it came out of the mold, or if the mold was made to include the heart in the pouring process. Either way, it's done very well.
Handling and throwing
As with a lot of axes and cultures that revere them, these were often used in conjunction with another weapon. Most of the time it was a long knife. I've had the good privilege of knowing some great native American men who still study and practice the axe/knife fighting of their tribe, and although throwing is part of the training, in truth it is a small part. More emphasis is placed on fliud movement with the knife and 'hawk, to inflict the most damage as quickly as possible. It truely is a "no frills" method of killing.
Weighing in right at 14oz, this axe is light and very mobile. When using this as a defense, its quick enough to parry and counter strikes. Yet its heavy enough that it'll strike and bite effectively with small muscle effort and great recovery.
As for the throwing aspect, its fairly standard. The axe is lighter than most, making it easy to throw. If you utilize the full length of the handle, the pacings is 5 from the target. But, if you leave the excess above the eye or cut the excess off, then the paciings change to about 4 - 4 1/2.
These pics are all from 5 paces.
Now, to be honest, in this next pic the axe hit a soft spot in my target. Although it'll bury deep in a solid wood, it won't go this deep.
The Down and Dirty
Pros
1) This axe head has alot of character and myth attached to it.
2) Light, fast and very agile for close quarters combat.
3) A very durable 4140 steel axe head.
4) great for a beginner thrower
Cons
1) Will often come unsharpened
2) Axe eye is smaller than usual
3) Mold cast