There were functional tomahawks and tomahawks that were smoked. And there are probably many ways to make one, some methods are authentic to how they were originally made and some methods are modern...
The word "Tomahawk" "was derived from the Algonquian word otomahuk meaning "to knock down"" (reference.com)
A tomahawk is used for attacking enemies
Before the 17th Century there were tomahawks. Although the tomahawks they used aren't the same we have around today.
Classically a weapon that is a hatchet/axe type used primarily by native Americans. In more modern warfare the tomahawk is a rocket powered missile.