The Fighting Tomahawk: An Illustrated Guide to Using the Tomahawk and Long Knife as Weapons by Dwight C. McLemore
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Book Reviews of The Fighting Tomahawk: An Illustrated Guide to Using the Tomahawk and Long Knife as Weapons
Book Review: Easy and fun to read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished this book and I found it a great help. I'm not a big beliver in being able to teach yourself Martial Arts out of a book, but you can do just that with this book. At first I had trouble reading the text and then trying to fit it in to the drawings, but once I understood the terminology it was a snap. The drawing were a big help and well done, the biggest help being the footwork. Seeing how the feet change position based on the attack or defense.
The author is clear in the beginning that he took all steps possible to keep the history true and authenic, as well as the actual fighting work. It is influenced by FMA, but so are many things and I don't find anything wrong with that. There are many other things in the book that are very much weapon specific that I really feel like you can only get from a text or class based on the tomahawk. The knife work is also great and has applications where it could be used without the 'hawk.
I think this book is great for the advanced MAist, or the beginner, and I highly recommend it. There are everyday pratical applications where this can be used. For example, how often are you using or have a hammer nearby? A kitchen knife and meat tenderizer or large spoon? I've been told that this book is a natural extension of the Bowies and Big Knifes book and I will be getting that book shortly.
- Daniel
Book Review: "A Welcome Addition to a Scholar's Bookshelf"
Summary: 5 Stars
In the field of Museum Education, we are often challenged by the public to "Tell us what it really looked like". Fortunately the history of the American Frontier of the 18th century is a well-documented period of vast cultural conflict. Col. McLemore has done an excellent job of taking first-hand accounts of close combat during this period and translating them into an imminently useful book. The Native people of North America were formidable warriors, and the Ulster Scots, Englishmen, Germans, Spanish, and French peoples they frequently went to war with or against had, for each nation, a rich and vibrant martial culture of their own. The tomahawk, more than any other weapon, is a symbol of the life-and-death clashes that occurred between these people. Weapons much like the tomahawk can be found in graves from Eastern Europe dating as far back as the 4th century BC. I applaud Col. McLemore for the engaging honesty of the text, and the richness of his drawings. The ancient Greeks, the Vikings, the Scots, and the Crackers of the Frontier would all approve. If anyone wants to study the truth behind the phrase "Bury the Hatchet", this is the one book you must read. Bryan Simpers- Museum Education ProfessionalBook Review: Basic principles of fighting with the Hawk
Summary: 5 Stars
What a read! I can't wait to get my copy signed! It is refreshing to see a martial arts book illustrated such that you can understand the principles without the staged three or four side shot photos that show a perfect technique against a dubious attack at best.
The teaching structure of the book is definitely European, based on the Italian and German examples from the renaissance. It bears a passing resemblance to FMA, mostly because the FMA teaching structure derives from the same source.
Col. McLemore covers the basics of the system, deployment of the weapon, and the use of the companion weapon the longknife. He covers the history and explains his sources. I feel that the work is a fine example of a historical research and application of the principles of western fighting arts.
It is a good read and should be added to the shelves of any western Martial artist and in fact would even benefit the eastern martial artist to understand the dynamics of one of the first American martial arts.
Scott Wilson
Professional Swordsmith
Book Review: Best book on the market on the use of the tomahawk and long knife as weapons.
Summary: 5 Stars
The tomahawk is one of the most effective weapons in close quarter combat. This excellent book is comprehensive in scope with large clear drawing illustrations. Part one covers a basic history of the tomahawk, the grips, stances, drawing the tomahawk and long knife. Part two shows the offensive use of the tomahawk, including the cuts, chops, punch and the rake. The third part explains the defensive use of the tomahawk. Book two of this text covers long knife techniques including the grips, stabs and other methods to use this weapon. In book three various combinations are taught, using both the tomahawk and the long knife. In conclusion, this book is for anyone who is interested in the use of the tomahawk and long knife in close quarter combat. The author has done his home-work researching this practical and unique guide. Rating: 5 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Baton advanced techniques, Season of the warrior).Book Review: Clear, Concise and Interesting
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fighting Tomahawk by Col. Dwight McLemore and published by Paladin Press gives the reader important insight into the use of this rarely studied weapon. Col. McLemore takes his concrete understanding of sound martial principles and distills the essences of the Tomahawk into clear and concise descriptions; making even complex principles easier to understand. To follow this, he adds drills for partner and solo work as well as a sample training schedule. Finally, there are a plethora of illustrations to aid the reader's comprehension of this system.
McLemore has also riddled his work with historical anecdotes from the frontier and finished it with an excellent bibliography. Both of these show the extensive research Col. McLemore did for this book which makes it an invaluable resource. Col. McLemore should be applauded for creating a wonderful training tool to help the martial artist start his studies of the Tomahawk.