Hand forging a hawk

Well the hawk is closer to being done. Friday every time I thought I took a step forward I also took a step backwards so I didn't gain to much. Yesterday was spent doing yardwork but got a couple more hours on the hawk during the night. The plan is to finish it today but I did take a couple pictures of the way it looks now. My main problem has been getting the etch to turn out the way I want it. As it is in the photo's it has been rubbed down to 360 grit and etched in vinegar. I plan to go finer on the finish and repeat the vinegar etch and hopefully be done with it. The ring nut will be gone when the hawk is 100%.

IMG_0882.JPG

IMG_0883.JPG
 
That is sure sweet Ray. I know that pictures don't show the details you're concerned about but it looks really nice to me. Can't wait to compare this picture to the one when you say it's done. :D
 
This here hawk is done. This one took twice as long as it should have. Lots of doing once, twice, and so on. Lots of hand rubbing. The head is 6 1/2" with a 2 3/4" cutting edge. Its just under 15" long.

IMG_0885.JPG

IMG_0886.JPG

IMG_0887.JPG
 
Last edited:
Nice hickory! You rock Ray!

I'm finally making my wife some kitchen knives for Christmas, and I'm going to use that same hickory or some purpleheart for the handles and butcher block. I like the way the hickory finishes out. I don't think I'll dye mine quite as dark as you did though. My wife likes lighter colored woods.
 
CitizenQ said:
Ray...what is this piece of hardware you have attached to the butt of the haft...and where can I procure such an item?
Click to expand...

Q, I call it a ring nut. Not to long ago when I made them they became part of the knife but there were a few customers that didn't like the noise they made. The only time I use them now is when I'm assembling a knife or a hawk. The procedure I use for making them isn't very safe so the only time I make them now is when they have been misplaced. I have a piece of threaded iron telegraph wire in the butt of the haft and use the nut to hold the butt cap in place until the epoxy is set up.
 
Wow!!!! Nice hawk and nice save from the crack episode!!! Had you not been forced to grind that cutting edge down, that thing would have been more like a francesca than a hawk. That is rather burly!!!:thumbup:
 
jdm61 said:
Wow!!!! Nice hawk and nice save from the crack episode!!! Had you not been forced to grind that cutting edge down, that thing would have been more like a francesca than a hawk. That is rather burly!!!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Joe, At first when you said francisca I was thinking you were way wrong until I took a look for one. I think before the crack the front bit did resemble the francesca but that was about it. I also think the francesca was probably twice the size. Here's a look at the francisca: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisca I think I may have seen how it was used on the History Channel. I believe it was thrown so it hit the ground and would bounce up to hit its target.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top