I the South tomahawks are pretty popular tools. Generally several times a year the subject comes up about a good tomahawk because someone has broken one and is hunting another. I figured I would pass on a decent one here in case anyone was interested in them. I've had a 3J for 20-25 years. I would consider it a utility model since it has hammer marks on it. I guess a fellow could sand down the forging marks if it bothered him. They are forged from 1020 steel to take a beating. Bruce Johan has been making them for over 30 years. He welds a high carbon bit in it the old fashion way.
So what you get is a head that can shave, chop wood, plane or skin out a deer. I have the polled or hammer type model. Over the years I've shingled with it, both shake and modern types, framed out things, made a few porches, a host of outdoor tasks and so on. The soft steel does a fine job with very heavy use. The price today still isn't that bad compared to the mass market cast ones that are made in foriegn countries. The ones folks break with light use and keep on buying and breaking new ones.
I was quite surprised to find the fellow was still making the 3J hawks when the wife wanted a tomahawk. The one I ordered for her was still very good quality. I sanded the inside of the head so it would go on and off the handle easily for convenient storage, put a razor sharp edge on it and blued it. It was a welcomed change to mess with something a fellow makes by hand in America. I guess a sense of pride to fiddle around with it. They aren't too high. If you want one without a poll in the traditional style they are $10 cheaper than the one I linked. I imagine they are sold other places as well, this store is just one I found that carried them.
http://www.thegunworks.com/custprodgun.cfm?ProductID=42&do=detail&Cat2Option=noHave a good one.
