American Tomahawk Company
Encyclopedia
American Tomahawk Company is a US-based company which manufactures modern tomahawk
s for use by the US Military. It was founded in 1966 by Peter LaGana to make tomahawks for the Vietnam War
and folded in the 1970s. ATC was revived in early 2001 by Andy Prisco and LaGana shortly before LaGana's death. ATC makes tomahawks to this day, primarily for the US Army.
head with reverse spike, and a leather sheath.. LaGana manufactured 4000 Tomahawks for Soldiers and Marines for use in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
In November 2000, professional knife and tomahawk thrower Andy Prisco approached LaGana and got his approval to license his design and restart the defunct firm: American Tomahawk Company in January 2001. The Company resumed production of the original design: the "Vietnam Tomahawk", replacing the original wood handle with a synthetic one. In 2005 ATC introduced the CQC-T (Close Quarters Combat Tomahawk): a collaboration with Custom Knife-maker Ernest Emerson
of Emerson Knives. In 2008 a collaboration with Custom Knife-maker Shane Sibert resulted in a modern version of the Lewis and Clark spontoon tomahawk known as the "Comanche"; this tomahawk is also produced under license by Fox knives of Italy.
Brigade in Afghanistan, the 172nd SBCT Team based at Grafenwoehr, GE, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis
, a Recon Platoon in the 2-183d CAV (116th IBCT)(OIF 2007-2008) and numerous other soldiers. The VTAC was issued a National Stock Number(4210-01-518-7244) and classified as a “Class 9 rescue kit” as a result of a program called the Rapid Fielding Initiative; it is also included within every Stryker
vehicle as the “Modular Entry Tool set”.
Tomahawk (axe)
A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Powhatan word.Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials...
s for use by the US Military. It was founded in 1966 by Peter LaGana to make tomahawks for the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and folded in the 1970s. ATC was revived in early 2001 by Andy Prisco and LaGana shortly before LaGana's death. ATC makes tomahawks to this day, primarily for the US Army.
History
American Tomahawk Company was founded in 1966 by Peter LaGana with the original Vietnam Tomahawk design. This original model featured a wood handle, a unique axeTomahawk (axe)
A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Powhatan word.Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials...
head with reverse spike, and a leather sheath.. LaGana manufactured 4000 Tomahawks for Soldiers and Marines for use in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
In November 2000, professional knife and tomahawk thrower Andy Prisco approached LaGana and got his approval to license his design and restart the defunct firm: American Tomahawk Company in January 2001. The Company resumed production of the original design: the "Vietnam Tomahawk", replacing the original wood handle with a synthetic one. In 2005 ATC introduced the CQC-T (Close Quarters Combat Tomahawk): a collaboration with Custom Knife-maker Ernest Emerson
Ernest Emerson
Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker known for making decorative knives but later became better known for his combat knives, eventually founding a...
of Emerson Knives. In 2008 a collaboration with Custom Knife-maker Shane Sibert resulted in a modern version of the Lewis and Clark spontoon tomahawk known as the "Comanche"; this tomahawk is also produced under license by Fox knives of Italy.
Military use
American Tomahawk Company's "VTAC" ("Vietnam Tactical Tomahawk") is in use by the US Army StrykerStryker
The IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive , armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor:...
Brigade in Afghanistan, the 172nd SBCT Team based at Grafenwoehr, GE, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, a Recon Platoon in the 2-183d CAV (116th IBCT)(OIF 2007-2008) and numerous other soldiers. The VTAC was issued a National Stock Number(4210-01-518-7244) and classified as a “Class 9 rescue kit” as a result of a program called the Rapid Fielding Initiative; it is also included within every Stryker
Stryker
The IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive , armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor:...
vehicle as the “Modular Entry Tool set”.