forging an integral hatchet/hawk.

[jdm61]

If you wanted to make an integral hawk or hatchet say like an Estwing out of high grade steel and didn't want to either start off with a $100-200 7-8 x 18 piece of pricey tool steel or you don't have access to an industrial drop forging press,how would you forge one? What size and shape piece of steelwould you startup with and how would you form it? I did a search but the only thread that i could find was one on multiple forums from about 10 years ago and all of the pictures were gone.

 

[kuraki]

I'd start with a bar and forge weld layers on one end to give me the necessary mass for the head.

 

[jdm61]

I thought about that. Do you think you can make that stick without gaps? I see that a lot with "wraparound" axe heads. The front of the eye never really closes up.

I'd start with a bar and forge weld layers on one end to give me the necessary mass for the head.

 

[kuraki]

I think the best way is to do it dry. I remember Salem posting some wips on IG that he had welded dry and they looked like monosteel without the etch.

That's my only idea though, I don't know how to upset a round bar or something enough to get the metal you need in the right place.

 

[kuraki]

The wrap around style is worse because they never close the seam past their eye diameter. If they closed it up small then drifted it back out there would be less seam.

 

[Kentucky]

There are more ways to weld an axe head that you would believe. For an integral a piece of say 3/8" thick 3" wide or so and about 6"-8" long will make a big integral hatchet. A piece of leaf spring about that length works well. It's an easy process but hard to explain without pics. I might have some if you want to see them.

 

[Lieblad]

If it had to be made of one piece, I would start with a 5/8" barstock.
To gain enough head material, Fold back upon its self a few inches & weld.
Initially, Would have to work it out with clay to get the amounts right, but I think at least three times.
Once the head is forged to shape, Draw out the haft & spend alot of time cleaning it up on a grinder.