Hammer into tomahawk but have a question on the steel type

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PatrickKnight

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So I am in the process of turning an old Vaughan bricklayers hammer into a tomahawk. I was wondering if there is anything on the internet about the steel these old Vaughan hammers were made out of? My father told me he wasn't sure when it was made (belonged to my grandfather). The blacksmith asked me and I am trying to find out before we melt it down and reform it so we can get a good heat treat on it. I tried Google but I am not the best when it comes to searching for this type of thing so any info you guys might be able to provide would be much appreciated!
 
Why on earth would you melt it down? Folks usually just heat up and reshape some part of the head into something else without altering the eye. Otherwise you might as well scout around for old mill files and car springs to toss in the pot. A Vaughn brick hammer will have perfectly suited steel in it when you consider the unknown soup can/car fender-made steel that goes into making many of today's tools.
 
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If it's a blacksmith worth his salt and not a dabbler, he's going to know not to melt it but to heat it and hammer it to shape.

The only mention I find is Vaughn's website saying they use differentially heat treated, USA-made high carbon steel, and some old catalogs mentioning a vanadium steel.

Working with mystery steel always has an element of mystery, obviously. "High carbon steel" can mean almost anything when in advertising aimed at the general buying public, but a lot of striking tools are made out of something like 1055. If he'll treat it as a simple medium-to-high carbon steel (.5% + carbon), it should be ok. Try an oil quench before ever trying water; don't want to crack it. If it doesn't harden appreciably, he can try a faster quench. I'd guess a temper around 475 degrees.

That's assuming a blacksmith that does heat treatment and not someone who has focused on ornamental ironwork and neglected the tool-making side of things.
 
I guess I worded the melting part improperly. We are going to heat it and reform it not melt it. James to answer your question he makes hawks and various other items from 4140 and L6. He is local to me but pretty well known however due to me not being sure if he is a paid member or not I don't want to post his name but it has something to do with beavers I think most people could put that together.
 
Good luck with the project- doubt your Smith will have a problem. There has been some info published about Vaughan hammers I think. I remember seeing somewhere that they were using high carbon steel 10?? . They may have changed and that might be for only one type and not bricklayers hammers. Most manufacturers keep that info as trade secret. I doubt anyone actually "inside" the industry doesn't know what is being used and by whom. More of a advertising thing than anything else IMO.
I also recall the info about what steel was being used and heat treat came out in a personally injury lawsuit where a head fragmented after being struck by another hammer. Another reason why some vintage heads outperform - lees liability and harder heat treats.
 
I don't know what steel they used, but my vintage Vaughan hammers are made of an excellent steel IMHO next to Hart tools, Vaughan made the best hammers money could buy, and are still One of the best ( obviously Hart is crap now , which really sux ) I just love using them, because every time I swing them they ring beautifully which is music to my ears.
My Hart framer practically sounds like a tuning fork.
I would expect your Vaughan hammer to make a great hawk :thumbup:
 
I do believe that Vaughan uses 1080 steel in their hammers. I believe it was stated on there website a few years ago. They are also the makers of Dalluge Hammers. Which are pretty dang good.

Hickory n steel, I no nothing of the new Hart Hammers.
I do own a couple older ones though. This is my latest.

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Patrick - Sounds like he should do all right with it, then. :) I don't think they'd get too complex in their alloy choice; I would assume fairly simple carbon steel.
 
garry3 said:
I do believe that Vaughan uses 1080 steel in their hammers. I believe it was stated on there website a few years ago. They are also the makers of Dalluge Hammers. Which are pretty dang good.

Hickory n steel, I no nothing of the new Hart Hammers.
I do own a couple older ones though. This is my latest.

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Click to expand...

Mines a fairly early 25oz'er called " THE FRAMER " ( I believe it's an early one anyway )
I love the beautiful curvy heads that Hart used.
As far as the steel goes 1080 sounds about right.
And I believe they use 1075 or 1085 in their hatchets.
 
Are you going for a spike hawk ? Or could you go with an adze at the back ? Because that would be pretty cool. You could also have him turn the back sideways and end up with a double bit hawk.
 
OK so your leaving the hammer head as a hammer and turning the other into the hawk head.
Sounds like it'll be a nice tool.
 
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