Dream Hawk (J.Gingrich and J. Davey Design) what do you think?

I should clarify what this is. It is the design for a tomahawk Justin and I have been tossing back and forth for 2 weeks now, and I think we have tweaked it into an excellent all around survival/combat tool. I'm very anxious to get some feedback from you guys! On the first tweaked design Justin posted, a few said they would like more cutting edge, so this is what it now features:

A bearded halberd style cutting edge that allows the hawk to be used as a knife when necessary by choking up on the handle (which has a small sub-hilt that, when combined with Justin's trademark bump on the hawk head's underside, makes an excellent finger groove that is also an indexing point and allows more control over the cutting edge.

A slightly longer and wider spike with a diamond shaped grind.

And, the one concern Justin had was the point breaking off if the hawk was used for throwing. First of all, this is intended as a serious survival tool, and I would never risk throwing my survival tool away. Second, if the tip did break off, it would still be just as functional as any other tomahawk. I'm looking into having Justin do this hawk for me in 1/4 inch 3V or A2, which, as far as I know, can take the punishment (admittedly, I have no experience with A2, but Jerry Hossum reccomended it, and that's good enough for me). I have a Fehrman Final Judgement in 3V and I would stake my life on the toughness of that blade, so I'm sure it would be spectacular here!

It all serves a purpose, and it looks cool, too (at least I think it does)! As you can tell, I'm excited about it and I want your input!
 
IM'd with Justin this evening and expecting a pic soon. As soon as I get it I will host it and put it here. This is becoming a really nifty project! Cant wait to see the final product, bet it will be awesome! :D:D:D
 
Leatherman, Wade said he would post it so don't worry about it. But, thanks to you and Justin so much for everything! I am just VERY excited about this whole project! And, this thing will need a sheath when it's done...I'll be coming to you, my friend!
 
halberd_hawk.jpg


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J. Davey

Glad you got the picture of the hawk up. Can't wait to see what others here on the forum have to say about it.
 
Justin, I'm working on the mock-up of the hawk today. I'm using 1/4 inch currogated cardboard to try to get an accurate sense of feel. One question, though; how thick are the micarta slabs (and, come to think of it, the fiber spacers) that you usually use, or is this dependant on what I would want?
 
Man I have to tell you that I like the looks of this one guys. Going to be a great hawk. Scaled up a bit and it might be more then I could stand. Question for you Justin if you don't mind. Have you done any work with S7? I made a knife from it and have been very pleased with how the steel preforms impact and toughness wise. Now if I could get my grinding skill up I would be happy, but anyway don't want to get to far off topic. The reason I ask is that S7 seems like it might be dead on for a hawk and wanted your thoughts. I will be happy to ask in another thread if you wish, don't want to thread jack. Thanks and can't wait to see it finished.
 
J.Davey

The handle slabs can be as thick as you would like. Typically when the steel is .25 I go with .25 micarta. It seems to give it a really nice feal. The spacers are only a couple of thousands thick so they don't make much of a difference overall. Hope that helps.

Mark Nelson

I have don'e quit a bit of work with S-7. The entry tool that I currently make is done from S-7. I have found that it is a great steel for impact toughness and wear resistance. When heat treated and tempered well it has great edge holding ability. I was thinking of possibly using it on this hawk but J.Davey also has me looking into A-2,D-2 and L-6 in the way of other possible tool steels for this hawk.
 
Justin, I would also be interested in S7. The reason I like 3V is it seems to be the best all around steel out there. Oh yeah, and no D2 (great for knives, but I don't think it would have enough impact resistance for a tool such as this)! Thanks for the info on the micarta. Back to work on the cardboard version. Oh yeah, and thanks for the compliments, Mark, and thank you, Underage, for throwing the pic in this thread!
 
looks really nice guys :) i think it will make an excellent woodland survival tool
 
It looks great, if you use something like micarta on the handle would it hold up to the impact of missing the wood and hiting the handle on the log? Also,
what about a hollow type steel handle for storing goodies in the handle there
would be alot of room in there.
 
Fixer, Micarta is a very durable material, so I wouldn't see any problems. I also thought about the hollow handle, but I just didn't like the idea. Having it remain one big piece of solid steel keeps the hawk simple and strong. Thanks fo checking it out!
 
I just didn't know about micarta and I also have to admit a one
piece all metal hawk makes durablity a given I was more thinking
a Chris Reves knife all one piece and a mag light type screw on cap.
what about a WSK type blade with all those great angles for the head?
I may be guilty of hoping on a "hot" knife design and you are paying for
your own vision so please don't take me to seriously. (please)
 
Not a problem, Fixer! Any suggestions are welcome! The original design of this hawk was quite a bit different. It was suggestions from people here that got me thinking about an extended edge for more slicing and slashing ability.
 
Looking good! I would still prefer the "beard" of the head facing towards the handle, but hey.....it's your hawk, not mine!
I think it's an excellent idea with the micarta handle and I'm sure this will be an awesome hawk when finished!!

Bo
 
Porcupine, why would you want the beard facing the hawk (just curious)? Do you mean no top point, but more edge on the bottom, or just extending the beard of the hawk in general?
 
Just thinking how do you plan on carrying it? does the sheath come with
it? Do you know what the edge angles are going to be? Also would it be
better if handle was a little thinner on your non dominant hand side so
when you use it your fingers can wrap around the handle for a better
grip?
 
Fixer, I'll probably check with Leaterman about a sheath once it is actually made. I want to come up with a unique sheath for it also (as far as carry goes), because the point on the head could potentially make it uncomfortable for regular waist carry. As far as the handle goes, I am doing a life-size mock up of the tomahawk (out of 1/4 inch currogated cardboard) so I can actually feel what dimensions are right for me. Granted, the weight won't be nearly the same, but the feel and overall dimensions will be.
 
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