First Tomahawks

[cookhj]

i've been taking some blacksmithing classes and this round my projects have been tomahawks. i've completed one and i'm working on two more. here's the first:

i started with a 1"x1"x5" piece fo 4140 (used the same size and type of steel for all of them) and drilled out the eye. most of the heavy work was done on a power hammer. the eye was drifted open, i quenched and heat treated it and finished it by soaking it in 9% vinegar.

my second one is waiting to be heated, quenched and heat treated. here it is:

i have a third one in the works that is going to be a spike hawk.

i will be taking one of these on deployment with me in a few months and i would like to have a plastic/nylon handle on it. any suggestions on where to look and how to go about doing it? i don't think it will be too much different from making one out of wood.

 

[Rev]

Wow awesome looking pieces for being your first two:thumbup:

 

[cookhj]

thanks! they aren't 100%, but not bad. it's a lot harder to keep the eye centered up with the blade than i thought. it won't have an effect on the function, it's more of a visual thing.

 

[Chris John]

Hi cookhj,
Looking real good there .
and all the best on your deployment .
Chris

 

[larm]

first off, good luck with your deployment, i did one myself for desert breeze.
ive been looking at making a fordge to pound out a hawk head, to make your own is the best i bet! good job.

 

[Dusty One]

Looks like youre having fun....Nice looking work....You could check with vec on handle
http://hawks.equinoxcoronado.com
Best of luck on deployment...And Thanks

 

[church&son]

Impressive and thanks for your service.........Randy

 

[foxx]

Isn't 4140 used in engine crank shafts? I've got a TOPS Pry Probe Punch tool made of that stuff, pretty damn strong stuff!
Those do look good, I wish you had pics from overhead. And, I'd like to see some once you get the handle on there.
What type of plastic are you thinking?

 

[dogstar]

That is really nice work!

 

[cookhj]

i will try to get some pics of my crooked eyes here when i get a chance.

i'm thinking about getting some 6/6 Nylon or ST-801 Nylon for the handles. it seems to be pretty popular with a lot of the tactical tomahawk makers.

 

[cookhj]

here are the pics of the eyes from the top down.

 

[Stuart Willis]

Nice work and thank you for your service.

 

[pullrich]

Cook I really like the clean work you did and the lean profiles to the designs. I'm impressed that those are your first and second efforts :thumbup:

 

[paleosteveo]

im sorry i hvaent checked into this thread sooner, that is some nice looking metal!

 

[cookhj]

thanks guys! i'm taking classes with james helm and my first classes a few months ago were through the Southwest School of Art here in San Antonio.

http://helmforge.blogspot.com/2010/03/hello-everyone.html
http://www.swschool.org

i should have my third one done wed night and i will make sure to post pics.

i'm working on a knife slowly and hopefully i will get that done in the next week or so.

 

[cookhj]

here's number 3. it's almost done. still need to heat treat it.

i've also been working on a knife. i still need to heat treat this one too.

 

[Drummertist]

Love the spike! As for the knife...well...it looks like you're gonna go shiv some unsuspecting jail goon.

 

[cookhj]

you think THAT looks like a prison shank? i've got a few i made in my first round of knife making classes that REALLY look like they were made in prison!