Ball Peen to "Norhawk" pics

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
Had a bunch of inquiries to make tomahawks etc... Being always behind on orders ive never really had the time, but figured I better stop putting it off and at least try one.

I had a old 32 oz. ball peen laying around the shop for years, and only occasionally use it. So I figured it would be a good candidate for a "tomahawk". I wanted to make one that had a bit of a Norse/Viking flare, so when forging I drew it out top/bottom to have the points at the cutting edges. Not really sure if this would be called bearded or lugged... what ever you wish to call it I can attest it is very effective as the "points" bit me a few times!

Any how, this hammer head made a real big 'hawk, really more of a small axe. Cutting edge is just over 5" and shaves easily. It was a fun project and I have a sack full of large ball peens in bound for more. think im going to do the next one without a spike, and a single bottom "lug".

Some quick cell phone pics, obviosly everything but the cutting edge is as forged.

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This is pretty neat. I plan to forge some hatchets at the cabin this summer with my nephews.
 
thanks, was fun to make, have a sack full of ball peen heads coming in, going to make a few more.
 
As much as it is nice to have a "known steel," making something useful from what is often unused or discarded is a nice feeling.
 
I lite the fact that is was a hammer in a previous life.
And it looks like a war ax to me!
 
blacksmiths depot sells a drift punch and matching hawk hafts so you can have a heftier handle that wedges on better with every swing rather than that fairly weak hammer eye
 
Last year I made a hawk from a worn out rusted brick hammer. It had an integral, rubber coated handle that I have figure out how to replace since I had to remove it for the forging. I've also played around with forging a couple out of regular claw hammers.

Here's the one from a brick hammer:
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I love the brick hammer. If it was me I would glue some leather in the grooves and go with a hemp wrap or something similar.
 
If you fit a thick washer to the lower part of the handle and slide it up to where the grooves stop, it would be a fairly simple matter to make a stacked leather or birch bark handle. Make a second washer for the bottom of the handle and peen the tang a bit to lock it on. At least that's how the handle on an old Estwing hammer my grandfather had was mounted.
 
this one sold without listing it, going to order the drift and make some more. Next will be a single bearded without one sided, no spike etc...
 
Great work! I am starting to love Tomahawks since I purchased my first a while back.
 
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