Spike Tomahawks

A spike tomahawk is a light, one-handed axe with a cutting blade on one side of the head and a pointed spike on the other. The blade chops and splits, while the spike punches, hooks, and pries, so one compact tool handles jobs a plain hatchet can’t.

This collection brings together spike tomahawks with forged steel and Damascus heads, wood handles, and full-tang designs, from traditional trade-style hawks to modern camp and tactical patterns. Each listing shows the overall length, head weight, edge length, steel, handle material, and whether a sheath is included, so you can compare tomahawks for camping, throwing, collecting, or display.

Shop Spike Tomahawks

Start with the style, traditional or modern, then compare length, head weight, and steel. Product photos show the full head profile, the spike and the handle, so you can see the balance and finish before you choose.

What Is a Spike Tomahawk?

A spike tomahawk is a tomahawk whose poll, the back of the head opposite the blade, is forged into a spike instead of being flat or rounded. Most have a cutting edge of about 3 to 4 inches, a head weighing roughly 9 to 20 ounces, and a handle under 2 feet long.

The word tomahawk comes from the Powhatan language of Virginia, from an Algonquian root meaning a cutting tool. After European contact, iron and steel trade tomahawks were made in large numbers and traded with Native American nations. Heads came with a plain poll, a hammer poll, a pipe bowl, or a spike. Spiked tomahawks from the 18th century survive in museum collections today.

Modern spike tomahawks keep the same basic layout but often use tougher steels and sometimes a one-piece, full-tang construction. US troops carried tomahawks during the Vietnam War, and modern tactical versions are made for breaching and rescue work.

What Is a Spike Tomahawk Used For?

A spike tomahawk is used for chopping, splitting kindling, and light camp work with the blade, and for punching, hooking, and prying with the spike. At camp, the blade trims branches and splits small wood, while the spike can drag logs, break ice, start holes, and pull tent stakes.

Many people buy spike tomahawks for throwing at targets, historical reenactment and black powder rendezvous, or to display as a collector’s piece. Tactical models are also used by emergency and military teams to break windows, pry doors, and cut through obstacles.

A tomahawk is lighter than a full-size axe, so it isn’t a replacement for a splitting axe or felling axe on large wood. It’s a compact, versatile tool for carrying.

Choosing the Right Spike Tomahawk

Traditional or Modern Construction

Traditional spike tomahawks have a forged head that slides onto a wooden handle through a tapered eye. The handle is wider at the top, so the head tightens as you swing and can be slipped off for sharpening or replacement. These are the classic choice for reenactment, throwing, and a historical look.

Modern spike tomahawks often use a wedged head or a full-tang design, where the head and handle are cut from one piece of steel with handle scales fitted on. Full-tang tomahawks are very strong and suited to hard use and prying, but they’re heavier and less traditional. Check each listing for the construction.

Length and Head Weight

Overall length usually runs from about 13 to 22 inches. Shorter tomahawks are easier to carry and control for close work. Longer handles give more swing power for chopping. A head of about 1 pound or less suits general camp use, while heavier heads chop harder but tire the arm faster. Check each listing for the length and head weight.

Steel

Carbon steel heads take a keen edge and are easy to resharpen, but they need oiling to prevent rust. Damascus heads show a layered pattern from different steels forged together, so each tomahawk looks a little different. On a good tomahawk, the edge and spike are hard enough to hold their shape, while the center of the head stays tough enough to absorb impact. How well a head performs depends on the steel and heat treatment, not the pattern alone. Each listing names the steel.

Handle

Hickory and ash are the traditional handle woods, chosen for strength and flex. Look for straight grain without knots. Some handles are wrapped in leather or paracord for grip. Full-tang tomahawks use synthetic or wood scales bolted to the steel.

Sheath

Because a spike tomahawk has two working ends, a good sheath or cover should protect both the edge and the spike. Check each listing to see what’s included.

Spike Tomahawk Axe vs Hatchet

A spike tomahawk axe and a hatchet are both one-handed chopping tools, but they’re built differently. A hatchet usually has a heavier, wider head with a flat poll for hammering, on a short handle, and is designed mainly for chopping and splitting. A spike tomahawk has a lighter, slimmer head with a spike instead of a hammer, often on a longer handle, which makes it faster to swing, better balanced for throwing, and more versatile for hooking and prying. Choose a hatchet for heavier chopping and hammering. Choose a spike tomahawk for a lighter, multi-purpose tool.

Spike Tomahawk Axe Head Options

Some buyers prefer to fit their own handle. A spike tomahawk axe head sold without a handle lets you choose the wood, length, and finish yourself. Traditional tapered-eye heads fit a handle that’s shaped wider at the top, while wedged heads need a handle fitted and secured with a wedge. See our Axe Head Blanks collection for unhandled heads.

Throwing Spike Tomahawks

Spike tomahawks are popular for target throwing. For throwing, a forged head on a replaceable wooden handle is practical, since handles can break with missed throws and are easy to change on a tapered-eye head. Check competition or club rules before you buy, because many set limits on handle length, edge length, and head style. For more throwing options, see our Throwing Tomahawks collection.

Always throw at a proper target with a clear area behind it, and keep others well back from the throwing line.

Spike Tomahawks for Sale

Our spike tomahawks for sale include traditional, camp, and modern patterns in a range of sizes and steels. When comparing any spike tomahawk for sale, check the overall length, head weight, steel, and handle on each listing. Laws on carrying tomahawks in public vary by state and country, so check the rules where you live and travel.

Caring for a Spike Tomahawk

Wipe the head clean and dry after use, and keep a light coat of oil on carbon steel and Damascus to prevent rust. Oil wood handles occasionally with linseed oil, and check that the head stays tight.

Sharpen the edge with a file or stone, following its original bevel, and keep the spike tip shaped with a file. On tapered-eye tomahawks, a head that slips can usually be reseated by tapping the bottom of the handle on a solid surface. Replace any handle that is cracked or splintered. Store the tomahawk with its sheath on, in a dry place.