'hawk grind?

Mentor

Mentor

Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Messages
3,124
Hi all,

Just picked up a Cold Steel Trail Hawk and I'm looking forward to giving it a nice, traditional handle treatment. I intend to use this for light chopping and other camp tasks.

I had originally thought that the head had a straight V grind, but it looks as though there is a very small secondary grind right at the edge.

For those who have used a 'hawk for W&SS-type stuff, I'm curious - do you recommend keeping the secondary bevel, or should I tidy the grind up so that it is a straight 'V'? I'm inclined to straighten it up, but I will defer to those with experience.

All the best,

- Mike
 
You are best to make it a convex bevel IMO.... stronger and less friction.
 
I just used my belt sander to sharpen the edge, not worrying about the grind. I left it nice and ruff, kind of toothy, it bites nice and deep when chopping and sticks well when throwing. IMO the trail hawk is a good choice for woods chores or throwing.
dff8e5ff.jpg

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Yeah, convex definitely makes sense. Sounds like a job for the slack belt!

I will take some shots of the in-progress project. This one's going to get stripped, convexed, file-worked, given a patina, and re-handled with some detailing on the hickory. I can't wait to get started, and can only assume that this will be the first of many 'hawks.

Thanks for the advice. Nice pics, Snakedoc!

All the best,

- Mike
 
Thanks! After I worked over the one in the pic I order 3 more to work on, very addictive and good price as well.

Check out the link to the axe, tomahawk sub forum. There is a sticky at the top of the page about modding the trail hawk, some good ideas and great pics!!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=768

Don't forget to clean up the eye, debur and sand it, helps with fit and lessens the chance of haft breakage.

I am excited to see your progress pics!
Adam
 
shotgunner11 said:
You don't plan on using this hawk until nov. do you.:D
Click to expand...

I knew someone would bring that up! :D

I'm sorely tempted to put it to use, but I'll try to hold out. There's a distinct possibility that this hawk will be the death of my trio challenge.

This winter has wreaked havoc on the smaller trees in my favourite snowshoeing / hiking area, many of which have been bent and broken under the weight of the snow. Thus far, I have managed to clear my trails with my Delta 5 and little scandi, but I'm just dying to use a dedicated chopper.

All the best,

- Mike
 
lazerboy2000 said:
Snakedoc, I like your Sig picture! (I'm assuming) What effect on Photoshop did you use?
Click to expand...

It is on photobucket, edit image, color sketch.

Mentor said:
I knew someone would bring that up! :D

I'm sorely tempted to put it to use, but I'll try to hold out. There's a distinct possibility that this hawk will be the death of my trio challenge.

This winter has wreaked havoc on the smaller trees in my favourite snowshoeing / hiking area, many of which have been bent and broken under the weight of the snow. Thus far, I have managed to clear my trails with my Delta 5 and little scandi, but I'm just dying to use a dedicated chopper.

All the best,

- Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,
The only issue I have had so far in chopping is the lack of swell at the bottom of the haft. Of course I was chopping 4-5" rounds but there was a little fatigue. Maybe a cord wrap or lanyard would work for this. Light chopping on smaller branches was a non-issue.
 
Mentor said:
I knew someone would bring that up! :D

I'm sorely tempted to put it to use, but I'll try to hold out. There's a distinct possibility that this hawk will be the death of my trio challenge.

This winter has wreaked havoc on the smaller trees in my favourite snowshoeing / hiking area, many of which have been bent and broken under the weight of the snow. Thus far, I have managed to clear my trails with my Delta 5 and little scandi, but I'm just dying to use a dedicated chopper.

All the best,

- Mike
Click to expand...

Just joking with ya.;)
 
Magnussen said:
You are best to make it a convex bevel IMO.... stronger and less friction.
Click to expand...

I agree totally.

I love the cold steel hawks. I have a frontier hawk I modded up a bit, and I just got a hand forged poll hawk. It blows my cold steel out of the water. Razor sharp, and the head is like a cross between an axe and a hawk. It has a really nice wedge to it. I look forward to your mods man. Im in the process of plannin my mods to the handle of this bad boy.

Ill snap some pics tommarow. :thumbup:
 
Just got a cold steel and have been having fun modding it and reprofiling the edge. I can see how these things could be addictive. I would love to see pics of your handforged one. :thumbup: :thumbup: I can already see myself looking for an upgrade. ;) Chris
 
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