Ed Caffrey Spike Hawk

B

Brian C

Joined
Jan 22, 1999
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2,414
I just received this lovely little head hammer (Thanks to Tim of TATCA for that charming expression. :D) from Ed Caffrey last week. The symmetry, grind lines, finish & balance are all superb. It is roughly 7 5/8" from the tip of the spike to the top of the primary edge which, itself, is only 2 3/4" long. Ed delivered axactly what I had in mind when we discussed the hawk last year -- a light, fast, CQB piece. With the 19 1/2" haft in place, she tips my postal scale at just one pound.

Now, Ed, about that Spiders-n-Snakes Damascus hawk... :D
 

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That is one nice lookin hawk Brian... I don't know if I want to ask how much that beauty cost you. One pound? Nice n light! That definitely looks like an ideal CQB hawk. You going to keep it for self defense or hang it on your wall? :D
 
Yeah Brian...are ya gunna carry it???
Like, to the show in March ;)
That is a beauty!
 
Thanks, guys. It will be a user, Rob, but "use" will likely be limited to drills & an occasional toss into the log ends.

Since there are so many variables, I don't quote prices on my customs. I will say, however, that it was very reasonable & far less than you would probably expect to pay for a piece from a master smith.

It will be a carry piece at camp, Ebbtide, but I don't know about the show. After all, they did get a little jittery at the last one about Bowies in the lobby. Then again, maybe a little Bowie & hawk drill would liven things up a bit, wouldn't it. :D
 
I left before "Show & Tell" at the last Spring show, but, I remember some of the guys saying that they weren't bothered out in the lobby.

But I understand if you leave it home. A little hard to be low key with anything over a foot long :eek:

I just checked out your site, way cool!
Did you do it all yourself? If so, you've got good graphic sense :D

See you on the 8th :)
Ebbtide
 
You're right about the Spring show, Ebbtide. The lobby area is MUCH bigger than the Fall one. The tables & chairs set up throughout it also allow for "show & tell" w/o it being right in the conference sponsors' faces. I still don't know about bringing the hawk. A few years back, I'd bring a small shoulder bag to the shows. I then went to a soft sided briefcase and, most recently, my leather rucksack. If I start toting hawks, I better invest in a messenger bag. ;):D

I'm glad you like my site. Thanks for the kind words. Yup, did it myself. I had set up some business related sites in the past but kept putting off doing a personal one. When Photopoint went down the time before their recent fatality, I decided it was finally time for a toy site.

See ya on the 8th, bro. :cool:
 
Having used a spike in the military (some might know what I am talking about), I think this one looks nice and effective. CLearly it is beautiful. My only problem I've had is with the handles. Over time, I have found that they crack if used outdoors and not treated witht he respect they deserve. Have you solved this problem with your spike?
 
When I join the service I will bring an ATC NG Ranger with me - no handle troubles then. Who made the hawk you used in the military? I wouldn't mind taking Brian's hawk with me, especially if it had an indestructible handle and perfect marriage to the head. That and my #9 :D
 
Make sure you leave your hawks and knives at home when you go to basic, otherwise you'll never see them again! They are really hardcore about folks not having "weapons" in basic training these days. Once you get to your first duty assignment it should be OK, but if your single and living in the barracks, they will make you keep your "toys" in the base armory. I ran an amory for 5 years..........belive me, you don't want your stuff put in there!
 
Thanks for the heads up Ed. Guess I'll have to find someone to marry so I can have enough money and live off base :D

Very beautiful work I might add. Most excellent hawk.
 
That is a really sweet looking hawk. I'd love to know more details about it such as the steel, forged from one piece or welded, differentially hardened or what? How is the head attached, by standard degree drift or like a hammer head? Inquiring minds want to know... OK, well, I want to know. At that weight it looks like a joy to carry out in the woods, and use.
 
Thanks, Nobody. Details? I got ya details right here! ;)

Like all of Ed's non-Damascus hawks, the head is A-36 hot roll (A.K.A. "mild steel") with a piece of 1084 carbon steel as the bit. Prior to forging to finished shape/size, he splits a 3/4" deep cut into the "edge" of the mild steel. The 1084 is inserted and forge welded in place. He then finishes forging the hawk's head. It is differentially hardened and the edge should be in the mid to upper 50s range. The head is attached via traditional tapered eye and the haft is white Ash, flame striped with a carnauba <sp?> wax finish. The final finish on the head is bead blasted and, I gotta tell ya, it is the best BB job I've ever seen. It is so smooth that it is almost satin in appearance.

BTW, I am toying with the idea of having Bodycote apply chromium & boron carbide coatings for corrosion & abrasion resistance. I'd appreciate any & all thoughts &/or feelings on the idea. Whatca think?
 
My friend Ed Caffrey from Great Falls, Montana is an ABS Master Smith and I looked at and handled his work at shows for a number of years before he moved up to showing at places too far away for my travel budget. As best I know he has NEVER made a mistake on ANY blade (hawk or knife) that has made it to the table, and he is one of the top quality makers of edged tools in the United States.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
 
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