* H&B Forge Tomahawks *

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Doc4570

Doc4570

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Jan 18, 1999
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Recently, I was looking for a tomahawk to do a little recreational throwing.
I would not be a serious competitor, so I did not want to pay the high prices of some of the hand made tomahawks on the market.
A friend told me about H & B Forge in Ohio and I decided to look into it.
An email to them revealed that all of their hawks were hand forged.
They are made from 1095 carbon steel with a soft steel handlewrap which is forged to the blade. The RC hardness is 40-45 allowing them to still remain fileable.
As good as all that sounded, the prices closed the deal.
They were less than half the price of all the others I had looked at.

A week later I had a "Seneca Hawk" with a "weeping heart" cutout and brass tack trim. Quality of the head seemed very good. The handles were made from straight grained hickory.
I also ordered a "Fancy" sheath which is hand-laced and the heaviest leather I have ever seen (Under $20). It will definitely outlast me.

Last weekend I finally had my chance to let the Seneca fly.
After about 50 throws ( 25 good, 25 not so good) the head was still as tight as ever.

Some of the hawks I competed against were prettier (and twice the price or more), but for pure
"bang for the buck" the H&B Forge hawk was the winner.

It's an excellent entry level tomahawk.
Also, all the H&B hawks are guaranteed for life.



Good Throwing
Doc
 
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Doc did his throwing up at my camp & I have to agree with his evaluation of the H&B hawk. It's very solidly built -- as is the sheath -- and offers great value for a very reasonable price. Beginner or not, these are almost too good a value to pass up.
 
Thanks for the link, they have some nice hawks. The prices are great too!
 
Jason,
Mine is fairly light and chops better than any
hatchet I've ever tried.
When I called, I spoke to Will (who makes them) and Mary (his wife).
Both were as helpful as could be.
Very nice people who will take the time to answer your questions.
Give them a call
Doc
 
Thanks for the link, Doc. A great site. Am thinking the Spike Hawk would make a pretty good home defense tool. My shoulder is gone, so throwing is out for me, darn it!
 
I know the feeling Bugs.
I only throw hawks when I have the proper accessories....
wrist brace/elbow brace/Big tube of Bengay.
I think you owe yourself a spiked hawk. ;)
Take care
Doc
 
Just got some pictures back.
Want to check out the new software ;)
The picture on their web page is the
size of a postage stamp.
 
IMO, it does the hawk a lot more justice than those on H&B's site. Maybe you could work out a little barter with them -- you know, products in exchange for product shots. ;)

BTW, that Green River Sheep Skinner sheath doesn't look too shabby either. :D
 
Glad that someone mentioned that sheath, Brian.
That is one top shelf quality item.

It was made by an old gin-soaked rum-dum I met in Abilene in the 70s.
Said he would make me a sheath for the Sheep Skinner
if I'd buy him 5 shots of cheap whiskey.
He was about 4' 6" and had a head the size of a television set.
Smelled like the porta-potty at a chili eating contest.
Mentioned that he had served with George Armstrong Custer.
Would have been killed, but he was too drunk to get on
his horse that day.

Woops !!

Sorry Brian, I just remembered that you made me that sheath.
I always confuse you 2 guys.
:p
Doc
 
Now that's a nice picture Doc!!:)

H&B's site does need a little work in this department. I guess that the picture quality doesn't really matter as long as the 'hawk quality is good.;)

Thanks for the image.

--The Raptor--
 
Originally posted by Doc4570
It was made by an old gin-soaked rum-dum...
Click to expand...

Oh, viejo hombre, it is truly sad to see what the years have done to you my friend. Jack Daniels, sure -- single malt Scotch, sometimes --gin, never... well, almost never. :p I can only hope the years are kinder to me than they have been to you when I reach your advanced age. ;)
 
I used to use forgings as raw materials for some of the hawk models I make. Most of the forged heads available are "questionable" (and I had to return bushel-baskets of rejects). However, H&B's heads are very well made, with flawless hammer welds between the mild-steel eye material and the 1095 blade core.
I machine my products from custom 6150 investment castings now, but if you want a forged-head hawk you will not beat H&B's quality (and if you get something that's cheaper, it will NOT have H&B's quality).
When buying spare handles for them remember that most of their eyes are larger than many of the hawks on the market and be sure to order a handle to fit the "H&B Eye."
TWO HAWKS
 
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Anyone interested in starting a hawk/hatchet/axe forum here on BFC.
Please go here
and vote for it (also, make some comment so we send it back to the top ) ;)
Thanks
Doc
 
This right here is what I love about this community. You, essentially in competition with H&B, take the time out of your way to compliment them and encourage others to give them a shot. I love that the makers I see on here are so polite and encouraging to each other.

You sir, have my respect. That kind of class is rare in the world these days. I have an H&B on the way now, but there's likely a 2Hawks in my future as well!
 
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