Hatito friends,
This is one question that has been placed in many circles, and unfortunately one that may probably never be answered with certainty. Where as many documents list various Axe-like implements, it however, is impossible to determine what exactly they were.
We know there are quite a variety of sizes and styles. One may get a better idea by actually using the tool in a period manner. Of course we cant cleave someones head, but you know what i mean.
(I hope)
Anyway, It is logical that one would use the tool best suited to the job at hand. One would probably Not use a tack hammer to apply framing nails. Nor a 5 lb sledge to drive wedge tent stakes, although i suppose both could be done.
Any axe can be used as a weapon, but the reverse is not necessarily true or at least not efficient.
Pipe Tomahawks, where as definitely used as weapons, i do not believe were intended originally as such. It is my opinion that most were ceremonial in nature and intended as gifts. There again, we do have documentation to support them used as weapons, but i can use a table fork as a weapon as well.
What many period drawings depict ... ( and i always look at drawings with suspicion ) may perhaps be Polled tomahawks. But there again, we may never know.
That said, hand axes seem to fall into two categories. One is a weapon (Tomahawk) and Two a hand or belt axe. it would be my opinion that the two are designed for very different purposes.
A weapon needs to be small and fast. The heavier the axe, the slower it is to use in battle. Likewise, an axe needs to be heavier so as to be able to cut in its designed capacity.
Yes both can be used as the other, but whats the best tool for the job would be the question. The "happy medium" is not always the best option.
Now for personal experience...
In my experience, a tomahawk, makes a poor tool. I carry one as a weapon when i do interpretations as a Native. However in the woods actually living the life, i carry a much heavier tool. I have seen people try to use light axes to quarter game and its extremely entertaining. Unless we are talking about cutting the feet off a skwerl or rabbit, a tomahawk is rough.
As far as driving stakes... well yes a hawk or axe can, and has done that. But for me, a sturdy log works much better.
Tent mallets were wood. This was to prevent the mallet from splitting the wooden stake. These metal stakes most people use are probably not correct from the very start, although there may be some documented somewhere, ive not seen them myself. Wood stakes were the thing for the military all the way up to 1960s in this country.
I do not carry stakes except when i use a Wedge tent and then its assumed i have a pack animal and even this may be questionable. On the trail i will cut sticks with the belt axe, and install them with a log. Out west in the pine forests, well this is a harder option.
As far as belt axes go, I use one that relatively stout, much like the British military pattern of the 1700s.
I have seen a plethora of small original axe heads and it is my opinion these are weapons and not tools of a woodsman. There are some axe-like tools used by carpenters and perhaps some may be these. (The Fort Meigs axe comes to mind)
The small, tiny bag axes that were all the rage some years ago are in my estimation some of the most useless pieces of dross one can carry. They are too light for any serious game processing and too short for use as a weapon. It is beyond me what they are actually for. Some of you may have more thoughts on this. Although no one, so far has been able to convince me of their worth.
Now i CAN see one perhaps used as a wedge to separate joints or split bone when driven by a log, the handle used only to keep one from hitting their hand. It would really be a single use item as its pretty worthless for anything beyond that.
But as many things, its not a worry for me, as what another carries is not my issue. Unless they poop out and i have to carry it for them.