tomahawk

A tomahawk is a light, one-handed axe that originated with Indigenous peoples of eastern North America. The name comes from the Powhatan word tomahak, adopted into English in the 17th century. Traditional tomahawks typically had a small head mounted on a straight wooden haft, with a hammering surface on the back. The haft length and blade shape varied by region, but the design emphasized portability and versatility for utility tasks such as chopping, cutting, and dressing game.

With European contact, iron or steel heads became common, improving durability and enabling broader trade networks that spread different styles among tribes and colonial allies. Some tomahawk heads were bearded or had wedges, and handles varied in length, though most remained easily managed with one hand. In addition to utilitarian uses, tomahawks carried ceremonial and diplomatic significance in some cultures. The pipe tomahawk, for example, fused a traditional weapon with a calumet pipe and was used in treaty rituals and diplomacy.

Variations include war tomahawks designed for close-quarters combat and trade pieces that combined form and function. In modern times, throwing as a sport and as a survival tool has popularized lighter, balanced versions, sometimes marketed as tactical tomahawks. These contemporary tools often feature reinforced steel heads, replaceable or contoured handles, and adaptations for breaching and utility tasks, while preserving the basic form and historical lineage of the tomahawk.

Today, tomahawks appear as historical artifacts, ceremonial objects, and practical tools in hunting, camping, and survival contexts, as well as collectible items and sport equipment.