Are Cold Steel Handles oval or tear drop?

H

Hoplophile

Joined
Feb 23, 2001
Messages
435
I can't remember. I want a longer handle for my Skeggox from H&B, but Will only carries 19" handles.
 
I have a CS Plainsman & it takes a tear drop handle. I don't have a H&B hawk but, IIRC from seeing my friend's, I think there may be a bit of a difference in shape. If you can hold off ordering for a bit, I should be seeing my buddy this weekend & can check for sure.
 
My CS hawks have a much more oval shape than my H&B hawks, which have very distinct teardrop profile. The CS is oval, but much more rounded than the H&B ones. I am looking for a couple replacement handles for my CS hawks - any suggestions on where to get them from?
 
Cold Steel sells replacement handles for their hawks in their Special Projects catalog, or through their website.
 
If you are willing to buy in bulk, the per unit cost drops dramatically. I bought a bunch of replacement handles a few months back from MapleLeaf Hardwoods that fit both my RMJ Forge & CS hawks. They are more tear drop in profile than the CS eye but, like almost all such replacements, you can get a good fit with some shaping & sanding. I'll know how closely they fit the H&B after this weekend.

Another possible source of replacement handles is Big Horn Trade Co.. BTW, neither site has the handles pictured but will provide info upon request.
 
Hoplophile, I compared the haft from my CS Plainsman to a replacement haft from H&B. Although the H&B is a bit more tear drop or egg shape, they are fairly close. I tried fitting the H&B replacement haft to the CS head & the haft is wider, side to side, than the CS eye, causing it to stop a good 6 inches or so from where you would want it to be. They look very close in size near where you would want the head to be but I suspect that the eye tapers are different. It shouldn't be a tough fix but it's not a perfect fit.

Please let us know what you decide to do & how it works out.
 
Any handle is going to have to be fitted to the head (unless you're doing the usual "production-hawk" stuff of cramming it in with a 10 ton hydraulic press and letting the head peel wood off the handle).
The handles from Big Horn Trade Company are better quality than the stuff I have been able to get from other makers. They are run on the profiling lathes by Amish craftsmen who care about their work, and are more consistent than I have been able to buy elsewhere. The BH3 handle works well for the larger eyes. They will still need fitting and finishing like all handles.
Best regards,
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
 
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