There are few edged tools as iconic or as purposeful as the spike tomahawk. Equal parts weapon and tool, the spike tomahawk features a forged steel head with a sharpened axe blade on one side and a tapered steel spike on the other. This dual-purpose design has roots going back centuries, from frontier blacksmiths to Native American warriors, and it remains one of the most recognizable forms in axe-making history.
At JW SteelCrafts, we hand forge every spike tomahawk from scratch. No casting. No CNC shortcuts. Each head is shaped at the forge, the spike is drawn out and pointed by hand, and the final product is fitted with a real wood handle and a leather sheath. These are working tools and collectibles built to last and they're in stock right now, shipping from our warehouse in Texas.
What Makes a Spike Tomahawk Different
A standard tomahawk carries a single axe head. A spike tomahawk adds a pointed spike on the poll the back of the head opposite the blade. This design served multiple roles on the American frontier: the blade edge could chop, split kindling, or process game, while the spike could pierce, punch holes in materials, or serve as a close-quarters defensive point.
For today's buyers, the spike tomahawk appeals across three groups: collectors who want an authentic hand forged piece with historical character, outdoorsmen who want a capable camp tool with serious versatility, and history enthusiasts who appreciate the craftsmanship of an era when every tool had to earn its place.
How JW SteelCrafts Forges Each Spike Tomahawk
Every spike tomahawk in our collection starts as bar stock high-carbon steel selected for its ability to hold a sharp edge, resist impact, and withstand real use. Our smiths work each blank through multiple heats, shaping the eye (the hole the handle passes through), drawing out the blade bevel, and forging the spike to a clean, symmetrical point.
After forging, each head is heat-treated, quenched and tempered to reach the right hardness balance between edge retention and toughness. The handle is fitted by hand, usually in American hardwoods like hickory, ash, or walnut, and secured without adhesives so it can be re-handled if needed down the line.
The result is a spike tomahawk that looks the part, performs in the field, and becomes a conversation piece on any wall or display rack.
Steel & Handle Options
Our spike tomahawks are available in two primary steel types:
High-Carbon Steel: 1075 and 1080 high-carbon variants offer excellent edge retention and a clean, traditional finish. These are the workhorses of our spike tomahawk line.
Damascus Steel: Our Damascus spike tomahawks are forged from layered steel billets, producing the distinctive folded grain pattern that Damascus is known for. These are statement pieces both tools and art.
Handle materials include hickory, ash, walnut, and rosewood depending on the model. All handles are shaped for a secure, balanced grip. Most models ship with a vegetable-tanned leather sheath included.
Who Buys a Spike Tomahawk?
Our spike tomahawks attract a wide range of buyers which is part of what makes this form so enduring:
Collectors & History Enthusiasts: A hand forged spike tomahawk is a tangible connection to American frontier history. Many of our buyers display their tomahawks as pieces with historical significance.
Outdoorsmen & Campers: In the field, a spike tomahawk is a multi-tool that handles everything from splitting kindling and driving tent stakes to processing small game.
Re-enactors & Living Historians: Our historically influenced designs are popular with French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and frontier-era re-enactors who need authentic-looking, hand forged pieces.
Gift Buyers: A spike tomahawk makes an extraordinary gift for the outdoorsman, history buff, or knife and axe enthusiast in your life. We can also arrange custom orders for personalized pieces.
Browse Our Camping Tomahawks and Throwing Tomahawks.
Spike Tomahawk Buyer's Guide — What to Look For
Not all spike tomahawks are built the same. Here is what separates a quality hand forged tomahawk from a factory-made imitation:
Forging vs. Casting: A forged head is denser, tougher, and better suited for real-use stress than a cast head. Look for visible forge scales or hand-finished surfaces.
Steel Type: High-carbon steels (1075, 1080, 1084) are preferred for edge tools. Avoid stainless steel in a tomahawk, it is too brittle at thin sections.
Eye Fit: The eye (handle hole) should be slightly tapered wider at the top than the bottom so the handle wedges securely in place rather than driving through.
Handle Material: American hardwoods like hickory and ash are traditional and ideal dense, shock-absorbing, and easy to re-handle if needed.
Sheath: A leather sheath protects the edge and the spike during carry and storage. Most of our tomahawks ship with a veg-tan leather sheath included.
Why Order from JW SteelCrafts?
Our spike tomahawks are made by hand, one at a time, by smiths who know the difference between a properly forged head and a production cast one. When you order from JW SteelCrafts, here is what you get:
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Hand forged steel head no casting, no shortcuts
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High-carbon or Damascus steel options
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Real hardwood handle, fitted by hand
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Leather sheath included on most models
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Ships from our Texas warehouse fast domestic delivery across the USA
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Custom orders available contact us for personalized designs
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