The word tomahawk seems to have originated from an Algonquin word which meant cutting implement.  Before the mid-eighteenth century, the word tomahawk was frequently used to describe any small one-handed hatchet which was light-weight enough to be carried on the person and could be used as a tool or weapon.  Eventually, the term tomahawk became more associated with the slender bladed pipe or poll topped weapon preferred by Indians and rangers.  It was a perfect weapon for hand-to-hand combat in America’s forests.  The Iroquois confederation preferred a variation of the classic tomahawk which had a straight or backward curved spike on top, making it a truly fearsome weapon.  Many of the surviving pipe tomahawks were elaborately decorated and were only used for important ceremonies.

    The tomahawk “Encounter” is styled after an original, late eighteenth century tomahawk, which was found in Ohio.  It is perfectly balanced with it’s teardrop shaped eye, slung back blade, approximately 7 1/2″ head and 18 1/4″ haft.