2Hawks extremely tight bit

[rlewpolar]

I have a 2Hawks Warbeast and am trying to get the bit off the shaft. It’s extremely tight. I’ve hit it on the ground like you are supposed to. No go. Hit it with a dead blow hammer, both on the shaft and on the bit. Nuh uh. Stuck it in the freezer for a bit because I’ve read this shrinks the wood. Didn’t do a thing. I’m wondering if these are glued.

Anyone have a 2Hawks tomahawk and did you successfully manage to get the bit off? I know tight is good but Jesus!

 

[beeinak]

I have a Warbeast but never tried to take it off. You might send 2Hawks an email since he is very easy to communicate with.

 

[rlewpolar]

I have a Warbeast but never tried to take it off. You might send 2Hawks an email since he is very easy to communicate with.

Thanks, already have an email into him but figured someone might have experience with this. Guess I’ll wait to hear. The good news is, I don’t have any fear of this coming off anytime soon during use

Gratuitous pic including another favorite of mine

 

[thebrain]

Many makers will use a hydrologic press to fit the handle so they are really on there for user safety. I imagine that's the case here, sorry I don't know for sure but it is quite common.

 

[rlewpolar]

Many makers will use a hydrologic press to fit the handle so they are really on there for user safety. I imagine that's the case here, sorry I don't know for sure but it is quite common.

That makes sense and explains what I’m seeing. There is no way someone got that on there by simply tapping it on the ground a few times

 

[thebrain]

I've seen videos that moisture from the wood actually came out around the head as it seated because of the pressure from the press fitting. I believe they do it for user safety and because the handle will often shrink a little and it keeps everything tight over time. Not great for the backpacking crowd that wants to knock the handle out.

 

[rlewpolar]

I've seen videos that moisture from the wood actually came out around the head as it seated because of the pressure from the press fitting. I believe they do it for user safety and because the handle will often shrink a little and it keeps everything tight over time. Not great for the backpacking crowd that wants to knock the handle out.

Amazing that the moisture would be squeezed out. So, if it was press fitted, might have to send it back in to remove the bit. Then refit the bit by hand and have it come loose undoubtably. what to do, what to do….

 

[scdub]

I had a similar experience with a tomahawk from H&B Forge. I contacted them and as per above they said the head was press fit. Said it might loosen after lots of use/throwing (which I don’t do with this hawk).

If you need the head off but plan to fit a new handle yourself, I’d just order an extra handle and when it comes in, cut the old one close to the head then drill/file out the old handle material…

 

[rlewpolar]

I had a similar experience with a tomahawk from H&B Forge. I contacted them and as per above they said the head was press fit. Said it might loosen after lots of use/throwing (which I don’t do with this hawk).

If you need the head off but plan to fit a new handle yourself, I’d just order an extra handle and when it comes in, cut the old one close to the head then drill/file out the old handle material…

Funny you mention H&B Forge. I have a few of those also but haven’t attempted to remove the bits. Not going to bother at this point.

Yes, think I will order a couple of extra handles and deal with it when the time comes. Thanks for the input

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

As a terminological note, you say "bit" when you actually mean "head". One removes the head from the haft, not the bit. The bit is the cutting portion of the head, forward of the eye. Conceptually think of it as the part that "bites".

A soft plastic mallet and resting the poll on a support of some kind to rap the butt end of the handle can often work, but there's always a risk of handle damage as a result. A shop press from Harbor Freight or similar is a handy tool when dealing with slip fit tool handles, not only for installation, but extraction.

 

[rlewpolar]

As a terminological note, you say "bit" when you actually mean "head". One removes the head from the haft, not the bit. The bit is the cutting portion of the head, forward of the eye. Conceptually think of it as the part that "bites".

A soft plastic mallet and resting the poll on a support of some kind to rap the butt end of the handle can often work, but there's always a risk of handle damage as a result. A shop press from Harbor Freight or similar is a handy tool when dealing with slip fit tool handles, not only for installation, but extraction.

Thanks, yes, meant removing the head from the haft.

Good idea on the shop press. Will look into this, thanks

 

[Bushleague270]

Too, I'd like to point out that the steel will change dimensionally to a far greater degree with tempature... having worked both as a carpenter, millwright. and a welder, I would be extremely surprized if the bore of the head did not shrink significantly more than the wood (if the wood shrinks at all). Heating the head would be more likely to get good results, whilst sticking as much of the handle as possible into a container of ice or cold water for good measure. As a millwright, this is the generally reccomended method for gently extracting any shaft from a bore. Once gently is off the table... thats when things get interesting!

 

[rlewpolar]

Too, I'd like to point out that the steel will change dimensionally to a far greater degree with tempature... having worked both as a carpenter, millwright. and a welder, I would be extremely surprized if the bore of the head did not shrink significantly more than the wood (if the wood shrinks at all). Heating the head would be more likely to get good results, whilst sticking as much of the handle as possible into a container of ice or cold water for good measure. As a millwright, this is the generally reccomended method for gently extracting any shaft from a bore. Once gently is off the table... thats when things get interesting!

Thanks, good information. Maybe I will try a heat gun for a bit on the head

 

[thebrain]

Keeping the entire thing in a hot dry place will shrink the wood and ever so slightly expand the head , think next to a wood stove. Or on a furnace vent for a few days might help.

 

[Mick Boardman]

Fast forward two weeks, what is the end of this story? I have a War Beast on order. If your tomahawk was here, I would remove the shaft for you. My garage is full of tools to assist with that type disassembly. Get a 1/2” bit that has a pilot tip, it will self center and drill down into center of shaft the length of the depth and then try a good few wacks with 3lb hammer. Stabilize the head so the force is 100% and the shaft will drop out of there. Use a 1” dowel for driving the shaft out , it should hold up if you cap it with a snug fitting socket. That will prevent deformation to the 1” shaft you are hitting with the hammer. Wood end of dowel to the tomahawk shaft, the socketed end is for hitting with the hammer.