First time project

R

rcoulas

Joined
Jul 23, 2005
Messages
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The bug has bitten. I decided to try my hand at doing a mod on my Cold Steel riflemans hawk. I always found it was too heavy and never carried it for that reason. I took som Ideas from pics I've see on this forum. So here it is, The hammer poll was the first thing to go. The black paint went next, and the bottom edge was sharpend to a clip point. I also shortend the handle a bit. I was thinking of refinishing the handle to a walnut or darker finish. Please let me know what you think.

Randy

Sorry the pics aren't that great.

45933553_283c0c2be3.jpg

45933551_f25eb440e1.jpg
 
Thanks for the comments, I would like to know how you did the cord wrap for the grip on the handle that looks great. I was thinking of blueing the head to prevent rust.

Thanks
Randy
 
What do you use to burn the pattern on the handle also. I'de like to try that with mine. I'm going to refinish the handle today.



Randy
 
Thanks man. First sand off the slick finish on the handle otherwise the stain won't penetrate. I use a propane torch for the patterns but I suppose any clean flame will work.

After that, stain to your liking then when dry, add many coats of boiled linseed oil. This may take several days as each coat has to dry. I then buff it out and add some lemon oil. Lots of rubbing. Take your time and be patient.

BTW, I also spend time fitting the head to the haft. I file the eye and sand the haft till I get a good fit then press them together in a vise.

The cordwrap is a Chris Reeve knot wrapped around the handle, same as on the lanyard in the first one. It's a hangman's noose. BTW, that's about 22' of paracord in that wrap.

I also did one with a Frontier Hawk. I cut the handle on that one to 14" to make a fighter out of it. It throws well, very fast and hits hard.

The Trailhawks are the full 19". They are decent throwers but I use them mainly around the camp and in my BoB bag.
 
Thanks for all the info Hatchetjack. I sanded and fitted the handle, also burned it today. I'll try to get some boiled linseed oil tomorrow and start finishing the handle. Again thanks for your help. :thumbup:
I'll try to get a good pic when I'm done the whole process. I need to practise the burning, I think I over did it a little but we will see when it is done.


Randy
 
I have a CS frontier hawk on the way, and was wondering if it would be advisable to get a spike welded on the back?
I would be doing it mainly for looks, as i really like the spike hawks, but also to add a bit of weight, I believe the frontier is the lightest they have.
I think the trail hawk would have suited the spike more, and was actually considering heating the hammer poll and beating out a spike, but there were none available.
Those other mods look great, though, that paint wont last too long on mine.
 
Hi,

I cut the hammer poll off of my hawk with a band saw so I know it is left soft.
As far as forge welding a spike on your hawk, that is one process I know nothing about so I look forward to any info anybody else has. My haft should be done soon and I'll post a pic. I thought of heating the hammer poll of my riflemans hawk and trying to pound out a spike but decided to remove it, I wanted to make the hawk lighter and it made quite a difference. It is much more comfortable in the hand now. :D


Randy
 
Here's a Trail Hawk I cut to 14". I like the hammer poll. It's added weight really gets that thing going when thrown. I also keep a leather lanyard attached as I like that when chopping.

I removed the finish on this one but the steel must lean toward more stainless as the bluing doesn't work well. It looks more case hardened.

This is my favorite of my projects and gets lots of time in the air and in the maple stump in the back yard.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b185/t_reyes/9_23008.jpg
 
Do you put the leather on the haft right below the head to help keep it in place? How do you tie that? Every time you send a pic I want to learn how to tie all the lanyards. hope you don't mind lots of questions. :D :D
 
All the wraps are the same, based on the hangman's knot. Yes, it does help keep the head from sliding but you will on occassion, need to tap it back into place. I also like it for aesthetics.

I suppose you could drill and pin it but I think you could end up with a broken shaft on a bad throw. Some will wrap in wet rawhide 'cause when it shrinks it's like epoxy. I haven't tried that yet since a slipped head now and then is no big deal to me. One thing you could try is laying down a layer of epoxy, wrapping, then coating the wrap in epoxy. Just a thought but it's permanent,

BTW, don't mess with trying to tighten that set screw. I don't know if the Rifle Hawk has one. All it will do is gouge a groove into your handle. Either take it off or make it just snug.

The brass tacks are just that from Ace Hardware.

Since I can't easily slap down a couple of "C" notes for a hawk, I spend time doing these. My most expensive hawk is a Fort Turner. Excellent tool. In the end I take more pleasure in them and the raw materials are the same as the more expensive stuff. Plus they are unique and one of a kind. I do the same to my knives. If it doesn't feel quite right, out comes the rotary tool and sandpaper.

Just experiment. After all, your initial investment is only about 20 bucks and if it you don't like it, you can always change it and it doesn't affect the funtionality of the tool.
 
Here's an update, the pic is still crappy but you get the idea. I still have a little leather work to do, but I have to wait for materials.
Thanks for looking.

Randy

47592119_f800834f08.jpg
 
Randy:

You've done some neat stuff here! With the hammer poll gone, how is the balance? Bet it took some weight off. What's the story on the shorter handle? How does it throw now? Like the others I sure would like to see some more info on what everyone is doing like this. This really got me motivated to work on some of mine again. Guess I'll " break out them long breeches now."

Best
Dwight
 
Hey Randy,

You got the idea. It's a matter of making that first cut, first burn and your on your way. Be sure to post a photo as you go. I posted some additional photos on a thread called CS Hawk Mods if you want to take a look. It's the same 3 hawks but at different presentations. Might help in your wrapping.

As Dwight said, it would be interesting to see other garage projects out there. I'm sure there are many.
 
Hi Dwight,
Yes removing the hammer poll took off a lot of weight. The balance feels good but I haven't tried throwing it yet. The handle, well that was just a thought and I with I wouldn't have cut it but it's still Ok. My next project will be a frontier hawk and I won't shorten the handle. My main reason for the mods was to lighten the hawk so I would carry it more as it was quite heavy,
but once I saw some pics of other hawk mods I just had to take it a few more steps. :cool:

Randy
 
rcoulas said:
What do you use to burn the pattern on the handle also. I'de like to try that with mine. I'm going to refinish the handle today.



Randy
Click to expand...
Try soaking a piece of cotton string in alcohol wrapping it around the handle in the desired pattern then light it on fire. I've seen it done on muzzle loader stocks.
 
Liam Ryan said:
I have a CS frontier hawk on the way, and was wondering if it would be advisable to get a spike welded on the back?
I would be doing it mainly for looks, as i really like the spike hawks, but also to add a bit of weight, I believe the frontier is the lightest they have.
I think the trail hawk would have suited the spike more, and was actually considering heating the hammer poll and beating out a spike, but there were none available.
Those other mods look great, though, that paint wont last too long on mine.
Click to expand...
if you want looks go for the hot blonde....
The CS frontier hawk is perfectly balanced for throwing and chopping, I know because I have a frontier hawk. If you want a spike hawk, get another hawk. You need at least two anyway!
 
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