hafts making your own

S

sw9mm

Joined
Feb 11, 2008
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32
i've recently come across a tomahawk head w/o haft. i want to make my own. i would like it to be strong but cool like curly/tiger maple, but would not be opposed to hickory or ash. anyone have any info about "haft making" and the pros and con of different materials, where to buy a blank haft i could widdle on. maybe a link to a website...i've scoured the internet and come up empty, i don't know where to start.
 
first, i suggest that you get a profile of the smallest part of the eye, for your handle cross section, brother.

you can use that as a very exact guide to shape the lower part of the haft.

there are many ways to do it, this way is mine.


vec
 
When I 1st started making hawks, I would go to home depot and buy a axe or sledge hammer handle and whittle them down to fit.. You can get about 3 hawk handles from a axe/sledge handle.. They are usually ash or hickory, both are excellent for hawks.. If you want something fancier looking you can buy blanks on E-bay in several species of pretty wood although they will not be as strong as the ash/hickory..
 
I buy my curly,tiger maple on Ebay.I buy pieces that I can get maximum handles out of.I then cut it into pieces approximately 1 1/4" by 1 1/2" by 20" or so,then cut the edges off.I clamp the end and rough it out to a teardrop shape with a 4 1/2" angle grinder,and use a belt then a palm sander to finish them up.I can make a haft in probably 15 minutes-hope this helps-Butch:)
 
i appreciate all your replies. i think i have a good place to start now. it looks as if the hole is going to force me to do some sort of wedge in the top like a claw hammer, instead of a cool teardrop like i wanted. i think it'll still make a cool hawk for when i go campin'. the hole is 7/8" x 3/4" just like my claw hammer.
 
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