Trail hawk ordered

[BJ]

I have just ordered a cold steel trail hawk. Having read some earlier posts there seems to be a very mixed view on this but I quite fancy trying some of the mods I have seen. Has anyone used a fire steel with this type of hawk. I have seen the how decorative grooving on the top and bottom edge is used and was contemplating making one of the top grooves a sharp edge for a fire steel and would welcome any suggestions on this.:confused:
cheers
BJ

[BJ]

Arrived today, ready for the mods.61626163
It will have to wait now until next week before I can spare any time. :cool:

[Old Guard]

Hi BJ

keep us informed. I am interested how you get on with it. Having recently had a discussion with my son, regarding traditional axes Vs hawks. He being in favor of anything that challenges traditional kit.

The Yanks (no disrespect meant) seem to get on well with t.hawks, be they have always seemed a little 'weak' to me. So I would like to know how it stands up to some proper hard work.

OG

[jbrown14]

Very nice, BJ!

OG, I was going to make some snappy remark about the tomahawks scalping redcoats, but don't want it to be taken as anything but a joke. :D

I probably wouldn't choose to carry one over my hatchet, but the 'hawk evokes something historic and back to basics that really resonates with we 'Yanks.'

Looking forward to seeing your progress, BJ. (And all the best with much respect to the Old Guard.)

Josh

[CanadianMike]

From start to finish mods to my Trailhawk took less than two hours. Lol, and that included re-profiling the edge bevel by a fair bit!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/375589_334316139986255_2126043657_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/428856_334301273321075_1762677798_n.jpg

[BJ]

Good result, T^ I will put up some photo's as I progress.
BJ

[fish]

love it!

[OakAshandThorn]

The Yanks (no disrespect meant) seem to get on well with t.hawks, be they have always seemed a little 'weak' to me. So I would like to know how it stands up to some proper hard work.

OG
That's because most of us yanks don't understand the value of an axe. ;)
Or maybe it's because everyone wants something "lighter" and concealable...I don't know.
I think you are right about tomahawks being a bit 'weak', compared to an axe, that is. Tomahawks, for example, certainly weren't meant to be used for splitting - but they excel at chopping. They are closest to hatchets, and are so designed for light duty work, something many people seem to disregard. The demahigan is not indestructible.

[Realearner]

At the moment all I have is a very cheap second and axe, but looking at this thread I might consider going for a hawk. I like the idea of something light that takes an edge could be used on many jobs around a camp, and would save my knife from battoning.
And if it was used to scalp, then could be used for skinning food. :D

[AL...]

Heres mine ... It was given to me by my mate in Georgia I like the waight of it and its real easy to work with and realy holds its edge. Its alwas in my pack when I head out.
I wouldent use it for real big stuff but for working round the camp and shaping bowls its fantastic.

Cheers
AL

Sorry I faffed that up a bit!! The Hawk is the second pic

[OakAshandThorn]

Heres mine ... It was given to me by my mate in Georgia I like the waight of it and its real easy to work with and realy holds its edge. Its alwas in my pack when I head out.
I wouldent use it for real big stuff but for working round the camp and shaping bowls its fantastic.

Cheers
AL
Looks like a great, solid demahigan to me :D. Excellent bit size, too ;).

[BJ]

Hi Al, I Like the look of that.
BJ

[AL...]

Thanks BJ Its a great tool .

Cheers
AL

[BJ]

I have removed the shaft and stripped the black coating from the head.
61856186
Given it a quick clean and ready for welding up the locking screw hole. It will then polish to a uniform shiny finish after regrinding the edge and adding a stricker groove to the top of the blade.
61876189.
I have also smoothed the shaft socket to prevent it from scraping the shaft when removing the head.
I will add more photo's as it progresses. :D
BJ

[AL...]

Its lookin good BJ

Cheers
AL

[OakAshandThorn]

Ah, what an improvement :). Never really liked the black coating.

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Great all round post :wink:
T^
Regards
David

[BJ]

Hi all, I haven't had a lot of time in the dark evenings to do much more on the Hawk. I have had some leather delivered after some advice from Bri (many thanks ) and have cut a template to make a sheath and I am now ready to cut the leather so I can proceed with this. I intend to carry it with the head separate from the long shaft in my Rucksack when I go into the woods so the sheath will keep the blade safe.
62196220
The single snap will keep the sheath in position. I think I am enjoying the mods and leather work as much as I will enjoy using the finished article.
I will get on with the hawk over the next few days and get that finished.
cheers
BJ

[Al21]

I more I see these, the more I like the look of them, especially after a little customisation. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the sheath works out.

Al

[jbrown14]

Very nice, BJ!

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Josh

[biker-bri]

Cant wait to see it finished BJ, the sheath should work well - remember to give the leather a good coat of neatsfoot oil it will help to keep the leather supple and act as a water repellent but
not a very good one
Cheers Bri

[BJ]

Cant wait to see it finished BJ, the sheath should work well - remember to give the leather a good coat of neatsfoot oil it will help to keep the leather supple and act as a water repellent but
not a very good one
Cheers Bri
Thanks Bri, I have ordered some and it should be here before Christmas so I can spend some time getting it right (fingers crossed).
BJ

[BJ]

Got a bit of time today to carry on with the frontier hawk. Welded the hawk head tapped hole after inserting the grub screw from inside and grinding the protruding section off. 6231

cleaned up the weld and gave the head a preliminary linish with a 600 grit emery cloth.
6232

cut the leather for the sheath from my template and wet and dyed the sheath ready for finishing.
6233
6234 apologies for the focus,my camera got confused. I will put up some better shots as the project finishes.
:o
BJ

[Adam Savage]

Looking good so far mate. It's gunna be a nice piece of kit by the time you've finished T^

[AL...]

Lookin great BJ

Cheers
AL

[BJ]

Finished the hawk and took it for a play in the woods today, Used it to make some feather sticks and was really impressed. Also almost finished the sheath, just the edges to complete and then polish but at least it fits.
6237
thanks for all the encouragement.:happy-clapping:
BJ

[AL...]

Looks like a proper Bushcrafting tool now BJ :D
Good work mate.

Cheers
AL

[OakAshandThorn]

Excellent! :D T^

[biker-bri]

something to be proud of mate, lookin forward to seeing it in the flesh in march.
Bother now I want one:happy-clapping:
Cheers Bri