Great looking head

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
6,848
I was going through my collection of hammer heads, last night, looking for one to make a hawk with. I noticed a ridge around one of them, it ran around both ends of the hammer head, at both head and peen. I put it on a 50 grit belt and took the surface down a few thousands so I could see what was under the 50 years of grime and rust. I put it in a solution of feric chloride for 10 minutes and this is what I found. This should make a fine hawk, I would think. With the welded peen and head I should get some nice visuals at the weld and again at the clay temper line. Any of you experienced hawk makers out there like to give me your read on forging this fine chunk of steel? I have never made a hawk before and I am making this first one for a youg man who stayed with us , when he was having some troubled times. Young and lost, you know. He is heading for Iraq from hear. I want this to be something special.<<->> I got the hawk forged out this morning. 130degrees in the shop. Toasty.
 

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That head looks to be hand made. Maybe You should restore it and use it as a hammer. I have bought many ball pien heads at yard sales for about .50 cents. I like to drift the eye larger so the handle wont break off. They are kinda fun to make, just forge them until they look right and make a fancy wood handle. I heat treat the edge and nitre blue them. The hamen shows off in a different color.
 
Bruce Bump said:
That head looks to be hand made. Maybe You should restore it and use it as a hammer. I have bought many ball pien heads at yard sales for about .50 cents. I like to drift the eye larger so the handle wont break off. They are kinda fun to make, just forge them until they look right and make a fancy wood handle. I heat treat the edge and nitre blue them. The hamen shows off in a different color.
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Morning Bruce, Hand made for sure. I figure it was made quite a few years ago. The weld lines are clean as a whistle. Some one knew what they were doing. I considered restoring it, but the forger in me got the best of that. Thanks for the feedback. Fred
 
Fred, I only tried doing one hawk from a ball peen with out any success so I won't be any help for that. Wouldn't the line be from the way it was cast?
 
Raymond Richard said:
Fred, I only tried doing one hawk from a ball peen with out any success so I won't be any help for that. Wouldn't the line be from the way it was cast?
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Evening Raymond, Looking at it, up close, I would say it was drop forged and not cast. The head and peen are forged onto the center section. I have never seen one quite like it. They knew what they where doing however it was done. It was not made in China you can tell that. How are you doing on the rebuild on your shop? Are you making any progress? Fred
 
Fred, I had to leave for San Diego last week for my mother in laws funeral service and didn't get back home till just after 9 last night. 13 hours and 800 miles yesterday really wore me out. By the time I recope from this trip I'll be running down to the bay area for the BAKCA Show on Friday this week. Next week I hope to get back at the shop/barn mess and start getting somethings done. Actually getting away for awhile did me some good but just looking at the remains still makes me sick. I got a stack of claim forms I can start working on now.
 
Raymond Richard said:
Fred, I had to leave for San Diego last week for my mother in laws funeral service and didn't get back home till just after 9 last night. 13 hours and 800 miles yesterday really wore me out. By the time I recope from this trip I'll be running down to the bay area for the BAKCA Show on Friday this week. Next week I hope to get back at the shop/barn mess and start getting somethings done. Actually getting away for awhile did me some good but just looking at the remains still makes me sick. I got a stack of claim forms I can start working on now.
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I know it will take a real effort to get it back together. But, damn, your a knife maker, I have know doubt it will happen. Fred
 
Bruce Bump said:
That head looks to be hand made. Maybe You should restore it and use it as a hammer. I have bought many ball pien heads at yard sales for about .50 cents. I like to drift the eye larger so the handle wont break off. They are kinda fun to make, just forge them until they look right and make a fancy wood handle. I heat treat the edge and nitre blue them. The hamen shows off in a different color.
Click to expand...
I drifted the eye on the ball peen head this morning. A friend stopped by, he held the piece while I hammered. That worked out fine. I'm glade I read your post. It got me off to a good start. Thanks Fred
 
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