Author Topic: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?  (Read 1184 times)

Offline Dave R

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Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« on: August 12, 2019, 07:35:21 PM »
What is the best wood to be used for a tomahawk block??

Offline Old Salt

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2019, 08:29:51 PM »
I have used cotton wood. If I not get the cotton wood  I will use cedar
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Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2019, 08:30:08 PM »
That's a good question.  Here, in central British Columbia, we have a lot of choice, but there is a BEST wood all the same.  Cottonwood.  These trees grow as large as five feet through the stump, are very open grained and 'soft' without a lot of knots.  We cut our rounds a minimum of fourteen inches thick, nail two support poles or dimensional lumber to the back, and where those meet at the top, a third piece acts to hold the block at an appropriate angle.  Off the ground, this wood lasts for twenty years or more, and cutting it thick reduces the tendency for the wood to check (split).  But we use spruce and fir as well, though they are not nearly as large in diameter - perhaps as much as 28" or so.  What you need is a block of end grain, as a 'hawk and knife stick so much better than into a plank.  We try to avoid blocks with a lot of knots, which will spit out a tomahawk or knife in the most frustrating way.
The knife and 'hawk trail at our club has 22 targets, and most are of spruce in the 15" - 30" range.  They've stood up for close to thirty years, and are attached to living trees along our trail.  Again, anything on the ground returns to the earth very quickly.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2019, 08:38:29 PM »
Sycamore is good though harder and can be had in large diameter.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2019, 11:46:53 PM »
I live on the North Coast of California, and I can tell you there is no better hawk block than redwood. It is soft enough to facilitate a good deep penetration, without splitting, and take tons of abuse before the center is chewed out. Pretty pricey for those of you in fly over country though.

  Hungry Horse

Offline halfstock

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2019, 02:45:48 AM »
Best is cottonwood.

Offline frontstuffer

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2019, 04:24:32 AM »
Cotton wood for sure.

Offline snapper

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2019, 04:43:22 AM »
I have used White Pine for years and it works great.

Fleener
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Offline Dave R

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2019, 05:25:10 AM »
Thanks to all!! Lots of cottonwood in SW Indiana! ;)

Offline Shawn Henderly

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2019, 02:38:33 AM »
Willow is good too. Big ole fence line willows will last for ever with out rotting.
 

Offline Huntschool

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Re: Want to know what is the best wood for a tomahawk block?
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2019, 08:25:27 PM »
I have to go with cotton wood first and then sycamore...…  Living in the lower mid west (southernmost Illinois) both are available in good size...
Bruce A. Hering
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CLA