CS hawk haft to head fit

crom

crom

Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
3,219
Just how important is it to get a perfect fit? I can see light on one side if i hold it up, I will drive myself crazy trying to get a perfect match. Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Well with a hawk, the chances of the head flying off during use is pretty slim since the knob prevents that... but a loose fit can mean bad alignment as well as unnecessary stress on the handle during impact.

Here's the solution:
Take out the screw, stand up the axe with the head down. Lightly put your feet on the head and poll then apply some weight while tugging up on the handle. Yank the head off and you'll see marks on the wood where it's a little high. rasp those spots down slightly and the head will keep moving up. Repeat these steps until the handle is eventually snug
 
killa_concept said:
Well with a hawk, the chances of the head flying off during use is pretty slim since the knob prevents that... but a loose fit can mean bad alignment as well as unnecessary stress on the handle during impact.

Here's the solution:
Take out the screw, stand up the axe with the head down. Lightly put your feet on the head and poll then apply some weight while tugging up on the handle. Yank the head off and you'll see marks on the wood where it's a little high. rasp those spots down slightly and the head will keep moving up. Repeat these steps until the handle is eventually snug
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering myself. Gonna try it on mine this week.
 
Another tip to fit a hawk head nicely it take a small file, like one to sharpen a chain saw and file the burr off from inside the eye or the hawk so it slides in tightly.
 
Definitely deburr the inside of the eye before you modify the haft. The eyes are usually pretty rough, and what can look like a misalignment on the haft may be solved by evening out the eye.
 
You can do what I did. I took a piece of heavy duty plastic pipe, slid the haft (handle) down into the pipe with the head still sticking out. I then whacked the end of the haft with a rubber mallet a few times and it is good to go. To get a good fit, do what these guys said. Deburr the eye and sand the haft.
 
Great suggestions everybody, I appreciate it. This is my 2nd, I gave the first away to a friend, I'm keeping this one. I had deburred the eye, sanded the haft, stained it a cherry stain. Then I attempted to sand the head free of paint with very coarse paper used to sand hard wood floors. I gave up after a while but I ended up with a cool, aged look. Most of the paint is gone from the blade portion. I also got a wicked edge on it with some sandpaper. I love these things. I can't wait to get out and use it some.
 
crom said:
Great suggestions everybody, I appreciate it. This is my 2nd, I gave the first away to a friend, I'm keeping this one. I had deburred the eye, sanded the haft, stained it a cherry stain. Then I attempted to sand the head free of paint with very coarse paper used to sand hard wood floors. I gave up after a while but I ended up with a cool, aged look. Most of the paint is gone from the blade portion. I also got a wicked edge on it with some sandpaper. I love these things. I can't wait to get out and use it some.
Click to expand...

Do you happen to have a picture of your haft? I'd like to see it with a reddish stain. I've got a Hudson Bay coming and I want the haft and the handles to more or less match (within reason). I'm just worried about a red stain being too "red". I may have to mix coats of red and light brown.
 
"Do you happen to have a picture of your haft?"

Not yet, but I may post a pic in a few days and will update the thread. It didn't go as dark as i'd like but it still turned out nice. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 
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