Cold steel trailhawk

T

thepatriotsoutherner

Joined
Feb 26, 2013
Messages
109
I just ordered a new cold steel trail hawk and I'm super exited it should be hear in just a couple of days and I'm planning on modding it a little bit like taking off the black finish and smoothing the eye out Mabey sanding the handle. Does anyone hear know any way to go about this any help is appreciated an pictures of every ones modded trail hawks would be awsome. Thanks
 
Hey every one my trail hawks supposed to be coming in tommarrow and I was wondering what every ones opinion on taking the paint off the head I was either going to use paint stripper or soak it in vinager what do y'all think I should do? or somthing else recommendation would be helpful
 
I moded mine the first day I got it.

I used paint stripper to strip the head. The stripper I used was old, so it took a little work. Never heard of using vinegar. I sanded the handle of mine down, swirl torched it, popped the grain with water (grain stands out more this way), put a single coat of espresso Minwax, then sprayed a couple of coats of spray on varnish. All in all it took half a day. I should have let the stain set a little longer, but I was excited to play with my new toy.
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Hope you don't mind the pics in your thread, thought visual aids would be beneficial.
 
Vinegar won't get it off, it's a pretty tough finish. I sand blast mine because I can't find a decent stripper here in Canuckastan.
 
thepatriotsoutherner said:
No thanks for the pic it's beautiful how did u prevent rust if u took of the paint I have paint stripper but I'm worried about rust
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I just make sure it's dry before packing it away. I haven't had mine for too long, so I haven't abused it much. I'd imagine it's first camping trip is going to leave it with some patina, but I like that look.
 
Is this your main bushcraft in tool?

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Although not the Cold Steel since getting it, It's been mine. I carry a small fixed blade or folder to back it up. You'll soon figure out if it works for you.
Bill
 
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thepatriotsoutherner said:
Also does anyone use the trail hawk as their main bushcraft tool
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I've been known to do so, I've used hawks for quite awhile now. Been playing around with and using axes since I could walk. With the trail hawk, you can give the handle a quick tap on a stone and drop the head. In hand, the head can be used much like an Ulu, a chisel, even a grinder. If you sharpen the beard (little rusty on terminology), it can prove to perform quite well for weeding. Also, depending on length of handle, depending on where you grip you can either choke up for control, or further down the length for more power. I've been able to take apart trees with only a trail hawk, but this depends on skill level and control. It's a tough little hawk, and very versatile. The one I bought, though, the blade was not perfectly straight. I can still throw it accurately up to 20 yds though.
 
thepatriotsoutherner said:
Thanks i think im going to strip the paint tommarrow is this your main bushcraft in tool
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Carefull with the B word (bushcraft) around here my friend, your leaving yourself vunerable to much scrutiny. This tool is great for a lot of camp chores. Though I haven't taken it camping, I have children and a big back yard with plenty of space to do camp chores, wood processing and the like. The Trailhawk holds up well in many aspects. For the money (skip the Anheiser Bush for a week and you can afford it),you can't go wrong. I just wish it were heavier, but after all it is only a tomahawk.

Here's a vid with some insight of some of it's capabilities. Enjoy.

http://youtu.be/lC3L0kAucdU
 
Fastest paint removal I have found for the C.S. hawks is a stiff wire wheel on my angle grinder (move around quickly so as not to build up heat that could affect the temper at the blade or the pole. Takes about 5-min's. Friend of mine uses Jascols (spelling?) chemical paint stripper. Camp Vid #1 - Bush Camp Knives, Fire & Leather - …: http://youtu.be/V95rGSfp1JQ
 
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