'Hawk handle size suggestions???

A

atomicjoe23

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Mar 1, 2011
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Getting ready to make some 'hawk heads in the hopefully not too distant future and I've got a line on some curly maple. . .will be my go at 'hawks so I was hoping for some suggestions on the diameter, length, and shape/contour of the handles.

I'll practice with something other than the curly maple, but I'd still like to have a good starting point rather than having to try to figure it out all on my own.

Gonna make a couple of different styles to play around with for my own enjoyment. . .a couple of railroad spike head ones similar to these. . .

Railroad_Spike_Tomahawk_by_Night_Everclear.jpg


don't really care for the handle on this one myself, at least from a cosmetic standpoint, but it may be very functional. . .

Picture1412.jpg


img00197-20110126-1410.jpg


These are a little different, but they are interesting. . .

IMG_0025-4.jpg


This one is very subtle and understated, but pretty cool I think.

. . .then I have some 4340 hex stock that a local blacksmith is gonna show me how to make 'hawks out of.

Thanks for the help!
 
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Just looking for some really general info. . .like handles that range from x" to x" seem to be common, and handles of ~x" diameter are pretty comfortable. . .

. . .is an ovalish profile more comfortable than a round handle?

Stuff like that. . .surely one of you guys could help me out.
 
I think it's nice to have the option of two handed use. You have control and power. I'd say at least a 19" long handle.
 
Hi Atomicjoe23,
Very interesting work i like thanks for showing .
from 18- 20 not to bad, but i think everyone has different
ideas on length .
Chris
 
You could go to someplace like crazy Crow and order a cheap standard handle for a common pattern. as for length ask 10 people get 15 answers? 19" or so is standard kinda length, but lots of folks are going to 25" + or - for reach in combat and more head speed when chopping with a light axe to make it bite better. And then someone will say Gee, I'd like one a foot long to pack off in my light hiking gear. And if you want to throw you hawk, the longer it is, the slower it rotates on the way to the target... throw a hatch a foot long and it may make one turn in 12 feet, a 19" long hawk should turn in 18 to 20 feet for me and if you are gonna try to spin a 25 plus handle on the way to the target, you may need 25 feet or more.

handle length is kinda like ladies hats, if they are happy that is what they need.

as a axe, hatchet, hawk fanatic I just want one of everything.
 
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Well, the nice thing about a hawk is you can quickly change the handle to suit your whims, as long as you don't have any fancy overstrike knots to prevent it.
 
The last one is mine,rr spikes are a very aggravating material to make hawks from,because 5/8" is not a lot of material to work with..I used to make my handles but now buy unfinished and do my own finish,teardrop shape and usually 19" or so in length.If you can make a hawk from a spike you can make one from anything lol,so go for it---Regards Butch
 
Thanks Butch. . .I started smithing this summer, the very first class I took from a local smith involved working with railroad spikes for a bunch of decorative stuff. . .and I've now forged a letter opener from a railroad spike as well. . .

. . .the steel in RR spikes isn't really very good, but it ends up looking cool. . .

Appreciate all the advice and that's kinda what I was looking for. . .a broad range of perspectives that allows me to select a general size to start from based on what I want from that particular hawk.

Love this forum!!!
 
Look for RR spikes with "HC" on the head. Those have enough carbon to harden them. They are hard to find. I have 20 of them though. :D Adding a nice slip of truck spring might help you get enough edge material though. Most combat hawks are 19 or less....work ones are made longer....
 
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