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cold steel hawk advice needed

Y

yoz's friend

Joined
Jun 30, 2001
Messages
1,751
ive got a cold steel frontier hawk and no mater what i do i cant get the hawk to keep fromm sliding down the handle. ive tried those steel things you hamer in the top of the handle and no luck.what can i do?
 
You can epoxy the head, you can soak the top of the haft in water(with the head still on), you can add a wrapping of tough rawhide directly underneath the head...

What metal things? A wedge? That'll keep it from sliding off, depending on the construction.

I think your best bet would be to remove the head, lightly(LIGHTLY) file the edge at each end of the socket, and hammer it down onto the shaft nice and tight. Also, I suggest treating the wood if you haven't.
 
So the Frontier Hawk doesn't have a set screw in the head like the Trail Hawk?

Maybe your handle is just undersized, you could buy a new handle 6-10$ online/mailorder.

How much wood is projecting above the top of the head?
Put the head in a vise right-side-up and use a mallet to tap the handle down into the head. The handles are flared at the top so as you tap it down that should tighten it.
 
The Cold Steel Frontier Hawk definitely has a set screw... it's located on the right side of the hawk if you view the head from the back...
 
As far as getting a tight fit.... deburr the eye on the head, then fit the haft to the eye of the head. After that, heat the head at 200 degrees for 20 minutes, then slide the haft down from the top into the eye until snug. Finish by rapping it solidly on the top of the haft a few times with a rubber mallet. Then just let it cool off.

It works like a charm!!!
 
if you drove a wedge into the top of the handle that sounds like future trouble to me. i recommend getting a new handle. i have only seen wedges used on axs and hatchet type handles where the head is slid over the top, not on a slip handle like the frontier hawk.
 
Newer CS hawks may have a set screw, but some of the older ones, like mine, i bought 10 or 15 years ago don't. But if you could drill the right sized hole completely through the head and handle(warning the metal might be alittle hard) you could put drive in a roll pin and grind the ends off flush withthe sides.

using a Wedge for an axe or hatchet would not help they are made for handles that come through the bottom of the head and then spread the handle and keep it from backing out. if you tryied this on a hawk handle it may just help to force the head down the handle.

If you remove the head from the handle and file the burr out from the inside edges of the head you will get more contact and a better fit, this really helps a lot.

when you put the head back on the handle use a deadblow hammer, rubber hammer, or block of wood er something like that to tap on the head end of the handle to force it on the handle for a tighter fit.

if you split the handle trying to use a wedge in it you might need a new handle.

hope these ideas help you out, Be Safe, :thumbup: Pat
 
yoz's friend said:
i have an older one with no set screw.i may drill it and put one in myself.
Click to expand...

Not worth it.

A properly fitted axe has absolutely no need for a set-screw.

If you've tried any of the simple solutions given, and you still have trouble with the head sliding back, then your best bet would be to carve a new haft.
 
Agree with brother HolyRoller... especially if you intend to THROW it...
I have a set screw, but it is backed-out so there is no contact with the haft...
 
all intersting advice. i will find a new haft and try fitting it like stated above. wheres a good place to find a replacement haft?
 
Cold Steel has hafts... if you have a Cold Steel hawk, use their hafts...
If your hawk is from some other source, use their hafts...
 
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