When I was re-enacting the fur trade era, buckskins, black powder, et al, one of the tools we used was the tomahawk. Some of the research we did showed it as one of the most versatile tools in a mountain man's inventory. It was also favoured by them as the close quarter weapon of choice it was designed to be. Used properly it is extremely effective and intimidating. Most of the ones we used were home made and forged. They were heavy enough to break bone, but balanced and finished (and very sharp) that they could be thrown with finesse. Not that you'd want to toss away your defence in the middle of a fracas, but they could be thrown with very good accuracy.