Hammer Heads?

David Loukides

David Loukides

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
1,363
Hi Guy's
I have seen Hawks made out of old hammer heads. What kinds of steel are old hammer heads made of ???
 
No idea, I've been tempted at doing so myself, the old mans whos house this was, left hundreds of ancient tools in a deralict shed, but I'm not risking injury re-forging something I do not understand the properties of;
I've seen modified hammers for sale on ebay so it can't be unusual.
 
They could be one of many steels. Hammers range from simple steels ,like 1050 to O-1 and 4140.Some cheap import hammers have cast heads.

The thing about making a hawk from a hammer head is the fact that it was forged once before (usually drop forged). Whatever the steel is it will most likely forge out into a hawk. Now if you need the hawk to be your main fighting tool in a jungle survival course, I would get a piece of 5160 or O-1 and use it. But, if the hawk is being make for show and fun, a hammer will be a simple way to avoid having to drift the hole from scratch.
Stacy
 
Ive forged several ball peen hammers of various sizes into hawks. I call them "City Hawks" They look cool and show a temper line but unless you drift the eye larger the handle will break off with any real use. I think thats why there are so many handleless hammer heads at yard sales.
 
Even if you're not certain of the steel in a hammer head, you could always split the blade end and weld in a bit of known steel for your cutting edge. I keep meaning to grab one of those $10 sets of ball piens at Harbor Freight and make a little family of 'hawks.

-d
 
Thanks for all your Replys!!!
I plan to make one for a young man who is in the Boy Scouts. He and his family are very Close to Wendy and I. His father Has a couple of Hawks and I would like to give his son Mica one as a gift.
Thanks Again!!!
 
heh...Had to go out today and give one a go, a 16oz warrington/cross pein and the handle came from a sorry clawhammer.



Aint she cute? heh
It's too dark to have a go tonight, but tomorrow I'll see how it throws ;) , feels light and responsive so should be a treat.

Dave, you'll have to post pics of yours when it's finished, I'm wondering also...what weight head are you going for? and shaft length?!
 
Lol, It's rough as gorillas nutsack, but I think its adorable, lol I forged the head swept down at first, but didn't look practical that way, with a short handle... so staightened it back again... going to go cut down some brass picture nails to like 1/8" and stud the handle now.

Luckily I found a box of roughly 50 metal wedges for hammer shafts in that shed, in three sizes...can't be bad!!!
 
Lies!! That one of yours on ebay atm forged from a 16oz....shows no sign of having been a hammer head..You got patience!, OR a gas forge, lol
I've spent 2 hours firing the forge with my trusty dinghy pump, I'm happy though... A chinese and a lager as a victory dance for tonights efforts..mmmm
 
Aware said:
Lies!! That one of yours on ebay atm forged from a 16oz....shows no sign of having been a hammer head..You got patience!, OR a gas forge, lol
I've spent 2 hours firing the forge with my trusty dinghy pump, I'm happy though... A chinese and a lager as a victory dance for tonights efforts..mmmm
Click to expand...

Thank you,and I do have a pile of what used to hammer heads that are now just junk. I mostly use my coal forge. Enjoy the chinese the lager you deserve it.
 
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