1st Impressions - North River Early Trade Axe

CitizenQ

CitizenQ

Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
1,968
Well, it's here! And before I start, let's get the hawk pron out of the way...

nr02.jpg


This post is intended to be my "initial impressions" and...in a nutshell...I am not disappointed. Not at all. I do have one criticism so far but it is apparent to me that this hawk is good work crafted my a gentleman who cares about his workmanship. In addition, for $164.00 (including shipping) this tool is a bargain imho. Overall, this hawk gets a triple thumbs up from Q.

Let's start with a link to the website and a quote from the maker regarding this piece...

http://www.north-river-custom-knives.com/tomahawks-tier3-1.html

Hand-forged trade-axe - tomahawk.

This is a brand new, original, historically influenced, hand made tomahawk - trade-axe that I hand-forged in my blacksmith shop, The North River Forge. I specialize in reproductions of the 18th and 19th centuries. They have an authenticity rarely found in other maker's work. Each piece is unique.

Steel: 1060 High Carbon bar stock.. Cutting edge tempered to Rc 59-60

Dimensions: Head overall 5 3/8" - Cutting edge 2 1/2" wide.

Haft: Black cherry. Tear drop shaped. 18" long. The cherry was split into a billet with a froe, then rough shaped with a draw knife and finally finished with a block plane. That is exactly the way it was done in the 18th. century.

Finish: Aged finish with an antique patina.

Features: Beautiful hand file work on the blade.

This hawk is stamped with my makers mark NR and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Great for re-enactors or collectors who crave tradition. Hand crafted in the traditions of long ago. It is a reminder of an era past. A very nice reproduction hawk that will take and keep a good edge. It has never been carried or used. It comes razor sharp, ready to use. Functional as well as beautiful. Great for many jobs around the camp or home. A classic 18th century design.

Price: $150.00 plus $14.00 shipping. (USA and Canada)
Click to expand...

Next 'ol Q'll post the pictures I took and then I'll finish with some comments...

nr03.jpg
nr03.jpg


nr04.jpg
nr04.jpg


nr05.jpg
nr05.jpg


nr06.jpg
nr06.jpg


nr07.jpg
nr07.jpg


nr08.jpg
nr08.jpg


nr09.jpg
nr09.jpg


nr10.jpg
nr10.jpg
 
Last edited:
Q's impressions: First...and as I said before...this is the work of a man who cares and who is a skilled craftsman. The included "Certificate of Authenticity" (see image nr04.jpg) was a nice touch...but I was completely impressed by the packaging which was exceptional. Indeed, it apprears the maker manufactured his own cardboard box which was cut and folded from a single piece of doublewall corrugated (nr03.jpg). The box which was formed was exeptional...it was the best damn tomahawk box I ever seen fellas! :thumbup:

Next, the hawk that arrived looked identical to the images shown on the maker's website, although this hawk is a tad smaller then I imagined it would be. For comparison I've included a side-by-side with a Cold Steel Trail Hawk so everyone can get a better idea of its size (refer to the nr08.jpg image).

Though functionaly irrellevent, file work (nr06.jpg) is a nice touch, as is the "maker's mark" (shown in image nr07.jpg). as both demonstrates care and attention to detail.

The haft is 18-inches long but I would have prefered it to be one (1) additional inch in length (for a 19-inch haft, a length which I find ideal).

Now for the criticism. As shown in images nr09.jpg and nr10.jpg the haft to eye fit is poor and may lead to the haft breaking under hard use or when throwing. I have not yet pulled the haft and inspected the interior of the eye.

All told, the man who built this tool should be proud of his work, as I am to own it. For $164.00 (including shipping) I believe this tool to be a bargain and this early trade axe tomahawk from North River Custom-Knives rates a triple thumbs up from Q: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

And fellas...before y'all ask...no...I ain't gonna be chopping anything with it yet...I'm still in the drooling stage. ;)
 
Last edited:
Drool on Q, that is a very nice hawk or belt axe, what ever, I likes it. ought to be able to fix/fit the handle, I would think. Pat
 
that looks like a near perfect design for a tool imo. i always felt the trail hawk needed some more edge length for what i wanted.

good job Q:thumbup:
 
Very nice piece. Great way to start the new year.............
 
Mrs. Q's kitchen scale!

  • North River Early Trade Axe (with 18" hard maple haft): 21.5 ounces
  • Cold Steel Trail Hawk (with 19" hickory haft): 20 ounces
 
Last edited:
well i held out as long as i could and just purchased i nice hammer poll from North River
http://www.north-river-custom-knives.com/tomahawks-tier3-5.html

it kept on calling my name. i was never too fond of the trail hawk and wanted something with a bit more edge to it but still light weight and i think this one will fill the bill quite nicely. plus you have to admit the guy builds some beautiful tools:eek:

i will give a review when i get it.

you still in the drooling stage Q or have you broke it in yet?
 
dang, shipped on the 9th and still waiting. the anticipation is killing me. the worst part is i can't track canadian mail once it crosses the border. i know it will be worth the wait but this is the first hawk i've bought in over a year and i'm jonesin:)
 
Crossada that is a beauty. I no what you are going thru I have been looking for my mail man I am waiting on a hawk also
 
my hawk finally showed today! i was having the sinking feeling that it got misdelivered to someone else who didn't even know what it was:o it took quite awhile to get here from Canada but it was worth the wait.

I like Q was rather surprised at how small it was. the specs are as advertised but i'm still shocked. i really like the hammer poll on it. the face of the hammer is only 1/2" across which kind of puts it in the unsharpened spike territory.

the head fit was about like Q's. i took it off to examine the inside of the eye and it was pretty smooth. when the weather warms up i want to play with it to check out how i like the overall design of it. so far i really like it. it really does have a historical look to it that i find eye appealing:thumbup:

here is a pic of it next to my Roger's Ranger spike hawk.
001-2-2-1.jpg
 
Crossada that looks like a very nice and fast in the hand hawk congrats. Let me know if ya ever want to get rid of that Rogers Rangers Spike Hawk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top