hawk balance point

[paleosteveo]

hey all did a quick search that come up blank, i was wondering if anyone could tell me where the balance point on a hawk is? im remodeling my cs pipe hawk at the moment, and im considering cutting the haft down a bit, 22 inches is just a little too long for me.

by way of curisoity, why does cs make such long hafts?

 

[Drummertist]

I cut my 22" handle down to 20" and it feels okay but the balance doesn't feel right so I may cut it down to 18".

Different people want different feels. The best way to tell is to cut down a sapling and shape it into a rudimentary handle (IAwoodsman's video "Cold Steel Trail Hawk" shows this on Youtube) from there you can test different lengths without destroying your factory handle.

You can also just cut down your handle inch by inch until it feels just right.

I carved a 25" handle for two handed use along with a 15" one and they both feel great. It's strange, but 22" is a weird "in-between" size that doesn't feel right so I understand where you're coming from.

 

[paleosteveo]

22 felt fine for 2 handed, but i dont ever see using it two handed really that often,i mean if your cutting somthing that big that you need both hands, just get an axe. i just cut it to about 18.25 inches, and it feels much better now. ill prolly order an extra handle or two when i get my next hawk to experiment more.

 

[plowboy87]

i can tell you that the balance point for the pipe hawk is 5.25" from the top (got one in hand). thats the 22" handle. i find the stock handle feels just right. if i need to chock up on it, thats just what i do. it's hard to chock down on it when you cut it way back

 

[Pipeman]

In my experience all hawks are different in balance. I like the new 22 inch hafts on the cold steel hawks but the pipehawk does feel back heavy, even more than the spikehawk. I use all my hawks for throwing and the bottom line is, if you're the right distance from your target they all throw about the same as far as sticking is concerned. It's really a matter of personal preference on haft length.

Best regards

Robin

 

[BearKinder]

You may want to try using it a while before cutting it. I find on hawks that I like to have about 1/3 of the haft below my hand when swinging it. This, of course, favors longer hafts, but seems to get better performance from it. For me.

I also think that the heavier the head, the longer the haft should be. On something light like a Trail, the 22" is just about right. On the Pipe I had, 22" was too short. I put one of their War hammer hafts on it and cut an inch off at a time until it felt right. I think I ended up at 26" or so.
The reason for the longer hafts is more and more people are discovering why they are better. CS used to ship with 19" hafts, but got seriously inundated with people wanting longer hafts, so they included them when they revamped their lineup. Remember, with a longer haft, you can always cut it down. You can't add to one that is too short.

 

[Shotgun]

22 felt fine for 2 handed, but i dont ever see using it two handed really that often,i mean if your cutting somthing that big that you need both hands, just get an axe. i just cut it to about 18.25 inches, and it feels much better now. ill prolly order an extra handle or two when i get my next hawk to experiment more.

In my mind even a 24" haft is too short for two hands. I'm looking to increase the length of mine from 19" where is now to about 22-24". The reason being is that when I limb a sapling I'm having to bend over to reach it where if I had a longer haft, I wouldn't have to. Also, who said you had to hold it at the end of the handle?