Tomahawks & War Clubs

Tomahawks | War Clubs

About Tomahawks

Tomahawks are Native American small fighting axes, originally with stone heads mounted in wood handles.

In the 1600s, European traders began providing iron and brass heads to trade with the various tribes, in a great number of variations. Highly decorated versions were presented to tribal leaders as gifts.

The small axe was a useful tool to the settlers as well, and local blacksmiths and gun makers made many fine specimens. The pipe tomahawk was a fairly rare variation, often highly decorated.

Items for Sale! Look for the titles marked with bullets; these items — and only these items — are for sale. Buy handmade tomahawks, commission a custom handmade tomahawk. Please click on any thumbnail picture below to see a bigger picture and a description in a new window. To view prices or order any item, please Go Shopping. Not sure how to order? Click here for ordering instructions. Can't find what you want? Please click the Commissions link here or at the top of any page to find out how to commission a custom piece. Tomahawks For Sale Sheep’s-Foot Tomahawk Medieval Battle Pick Forged Fancy Spike Tomahawk (inspired by a piece in the Warnock Collection) Honey Dripper Forged Pipe Tomahawk French & Indian War Pipe Tomahawk (inspired by 'The Patriot') Forged Spike Tomahawk - Wire Wrapped Zaghnal (18th Century Indian War Hammer) Kilonda-African Currency/Status Ax Forged Spike Tomahawk Fleur de Lis Presentation Tomahawk Brass-Head Tomahawk   Tomahawks Commissioned or Sold Forged Presentation Pipe Tomahawk Forged Spike Tomahawk 2     Magua’s Tomahawk (Last of the Mohicans) Forged Presentation Spike Tomahawk Forged Pipe Tomahawk Forged Belt Spike Tomahawk Forged Horn Tomahawk Forged Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk (Commissioned) Powderhorn, Tomahawk, Knife Sets (Commissioned) Mid 19th Century Tomahawk Wolf Tomahawk (Commissioned) Twisted Spike Tomahawk (Not for Sale) “Bear” Presentation Tomahawk (Commissioned) Hunting Tomahawk (Commissioned) Matched Tomahawk (Commissioned) Magua Tomahawk - Last of the Mohicans (Commissioned) Turtle Tomahawk (Not for Sale) Silver-Mounted Tomahawk & Powderhorn Set (Commissioned) Wolf and Bear Tomahawk Set (Commissioned) Fluted Grip Tomahawk "Eye" Tomahawk "Angry Duck" Spike Tomahawk Copper Cross" Tomahawk A Pair of Miniature Tomahawks Feather Tomahawk Presentation Pipe Tomahawk - Fleur-de-lis Presentation Pipe Tomahawk - Copper & Antler Matched Powderhorn, Measure and Presentation Pipe Tomahawk (set) Presentation Pipe Tomahawk

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About War Clubs

In the 1500s, when their European trade muskets ran out of powder and shot, the American Indians undoubtably discovered in the midst of battle that their empty muskets made devastating clubs. War clubs in the stylized shape of gunstocks became popular amongst the Northeastern tribes, and the weapon spread to across the Great Plains to the Pacific Coast. These clubs, carved from straight-grained hardwoods, weighed  several pounds, and often had spear or knife points (of antler, bone, flint or metal) attached to increase their lethality. The clubs, like tomahawks, were often embellished with carvings, feathers, leather, paint, beads, brass tacks, scalplocks, etc. These weapons still were in use in the late 1800s.

Note: No original examples I have seen indicate that they started out as an actual firearm, as there are no lock or barrel inlets, and many are flat and board-like. The shape was probably an attempt to capture the lethal "magic" of the firearm. However, the versatility of this club as a close-quarters combat weapon becomes apparent as soon as it is handled. It can be used to parry, thrust and trap, one or two-handed, and every surface creates blunt force trauma.