CS Hawks, QC Issues?

Sulaco · Dec 19, 2013

I've had a couple of Trail Hawks early on (and they were fine) but nothing recent. I wanted to try out the different bit style of the Rifleman and Spike and so I decided to get a Spike Hawk. The grain of the wood was completely left to right and the head was loose so much I could shake it and it would rattle. Also, if I removed the screw, the head almost went all the way off the shaft. I sent it back. Is this normal or abnormal? I'm not sure I want to mess with another one.

DarthTaco123 · Dec 21, 2013

CS hawks are always kind of project hawks, but I purchased one around a year ago. The head barely stayed on with the set screw, soI got fed up, took it out, sanded the handle, and called it a day. The grain was good in my handle, that seems kind of odd that it was left-right.

Sulaco · Dec 21, 2013

Yeah I guess it was just a really bad one that slipped through. I don't think I'll pick up anymore unless I can inspect them. Too bad nobody around here sells them!

Bigfattyt · Dec 21, 2013

Ive have pretty good luck with my 3. All were purchased in person.

I usually fit them a bit my self.

They are a fantastic value for the price.

Usually the first thing I do is make sure the head has no sharp edges in the eye. A few minutes with a round file and then pound the head on the shaft.

Often, I don't use the set screw, because I throw them. When throwing, the handles last much much longer if they can slide down the shaft on a bad throw.

Wolf_1989 · Dec 21, 2013

The set screws are goofy and do more harm than good.

If you really want the perfect handle, visit your local hard store and make your own out of a sledgehammer handle.

Shirk24 · Dec 21, 2013

Fixed in 3 minutes:

-> remove set screw -> search for a tree, log, chopping block, whatever -> Smash the upper side of the handle (where the head sits) against it and the head will slide on well -> repeat until head sits tight

If the head goes loose again from throwing and hitting with the handle's end just smash the upper part against wood and it will sit tight again.

EDIT: because my native tongue isn't english and my choice of words could lead to confusion (and because my paint.exe skills are sooo superior) I decided to help out with a graphic

Sulaco · Dec 21, 2013

I understand how it works normally, but there wasn't enough material on the shaft above where the head sat to do that. I sent it back though so no big deal.

Bigfattyt · Dec 22, 2013

Sounds like you got a bad handle with that one.

I have had one handle for my rifleman hawk that went really deep into the eye.

I also had one long handle that was too thin through the length.