Cold Steel Hudson Bay Hawk

Wow, thats cool. That hudson bay hawk looks like it would be super handy around a camp. How are you liking it so far?
 
CVamberbonehead said:
Wow, thats cool. That hudson bay hawk looks like it would be super handy around a camp. How are you liking it so far?
Click to expand...
Thank you, I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I did pop the head off and it weighed 1 lb. 1 oz. Also re-profiled the edge and put a shaving edge on it. It comes from the factory without a usable edge, so work is required. I think it will do well for light wood processing. Hopefully I can get out and use it soon.
 
Not sure why they gave it that geometry. It'd be far more useful if there was a more gradual bit-to-eye transition. Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to me. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Not sure why they gave it that geometry. It'd be far more useful if there was a more gradual bit-to-eye transition. Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to me. :)
Click to expand...
plate7.jpg
IMG-20200125-171049483.jpg


Seems like a fairly faithful reproduction to me.
 
dogstar said:
plate7.jpg
IMG-20200125-171049483.jpg


Seems like a fairly faithful reproduction to me.
Click to expand...

If trying to replicate the shape of actual Hudson Bay-era trade axes, they should have made the poll a little shallower and more blended into the rear eye contours and omitted the set screw. If trying to make a tomahawk version of a modern Hudson Bay pattern axe they should have made the bit-to-eye transition more gradual. Historically the trade axes were wedge-fit, to boot. Slip-fit handles for 'hawks are actually a modern development, despite the trade axes having originated from parts of the world that made use of a slip-fit eye as a traditional axe hafting method.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
If trying to replicate the shape of actual Hudson Bay-era trade axes, they should have made the poll a little shallower and more blended into the rear eye contours and omitted the set screw. If trying to make a tomahawk version of a modern Hudson Bay pattern axe they should have made the bit-to-eye transition more gradual. Historically the trade axes were wedge-fit, to boot. Slip-fit handles for 'hawks are actually a modern development, despite the trade axes having originated from parts of the world that made use of a slip-fit eye as a traditional axe hafting method.
Click to expand...
Cool, man. I'll still enjoy using my hawk. If I wanted an axe, I would have gotten one
 
I'm just saying it would have given them something functionally different in their line, while this seems to be chiefly a cosmetic difference vs. their other offerings. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'm just saying it would have given them something functionally different in their line, while this seems to be chiefly a cosmetic difference vs. their other offerings. :)
Click to expand...
All I have is the Frontier Hawk, so the Hudson Bay, with a poll, larger bit and an extra half pound of weight, is functionally different enough for me.
 
To be clear, I'm not saying it's in any way a bad tool. I just think that most of their 'hawks have fallen within a very narrow functional range and this was a time where they could have made it more different from other models than they ultimately did, so that's all I'm personally a little disappointed about. I'm sure it's otherwise a fine tool. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top