Integral Tomahawk Tutorial

WOW that is awesome!! the farthest i've gotten with my limited equipment is a couple small railroad spike knives. they work to and were really fun to make. Whats the weight on that hawk?
 
Thanks guys!

Orchunter, I'll have to weight it and let you know. I started out making spike knives, keep at it.

Royalpalmz thanks hehe.
 
Great WIP. Awesome looking hawk. Also that integral sword is one of the coolest blades going. I love your work.
Darcy:)
 
Great stuff.

I am subscribing to the thread in the hope that we will se the finished product. :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys.

Liam, I do. I got about 10 hours into this one so far, maybe 4 or 5 more left to go depending on what handle it gets.

Darcy, thanks! That integral sword's kind of on the back burner for a bit while i make a couple hawks.

Giant OH it'll be finished soon.
 
Oh, come on Sam....you never finish these things :)

All knifemakers have ADD....hey,look, a squirrel is running around the yard.
 
I'd like to point out something that you don't see in these images - I've watched Sammy work a hand hammer countless times, and the thing that always amazes me is the efficiency of every strike. No motion is wasted, no effort is squandered. When Sam begins moving material, it's with an energy and a speed that utterly belies logic. I remember watching him forge out an enormous longsword during an open forge night (!!!! one NIGHT!!!!!) and the mix of intensity and effortlessness he exuded stays with me to this day. The entire time he was working on it, he was discussing his techniques with a few others, joking along and giving insight as though someone else was doing the work while he just rambled on.

Watching it, all I can remember thinking to myself was "Christ, this kid has it!"

I stand in awe, bro. Still!
 
And I want to do a project with you, so call me sometime you scumbag!!!
 
Great job, Sam!

I wish my arm had the stamina for 5 hours of straight forging. Between arthritis in my hands and recurrent bouts of tendonitis, I struggled with 2 hours of forging. Lately I've gotten to the shop and have been doing some re-shaping of my hammer handles to better fit my hand in the hopes that it will help, and I'm going to check into using some type of strapping/glove combination to take some of the strain off my fingers. It's not ideal, but I really want to be able to do more forging. Unfortunately, my 32 year old body thinks it's a lot older :(. Guess I was a little rough on it in my early years. :D

Thanks for taking the time to document your work. It really helps in visualizing techniques.

--nathan
 
Sam, Where the heck is the hawks eye? Well done! I would have never thought of trying something like that. Keep it up!
 
Raymond Richard said:
Sam, Where the heck is the hawks eye? Well done! I would have never thought of trying something like that. Keep it up!
Click to expand...

Where's it's belly button?

Just kidding Sam. It's good to see a younger guy keeping the fire burning.

May the forge be with you.
 
Stacy, I have motivation I have never had before, my Lady :D

Matt, your words are inspiring, thank you! Email me your number I don't have it! I'd love to work on a project with you!

LOL thanks Ray! I was thinking of maybe doing some decorative chisel work on this guy, kind of like blacksmith-engraving. Might save it for the next one.

Nathan, see if you can take a video of yourself forging, I might be able to help. I would suggest a wrist brace, but no glove. Gloves on the hammer hand cause lots of fatique and stress, the hammer should float easily in your hand, a light grip I should be able to walk up behind you and pluck it right out of your hand while you are forging. Sounds like you are death gripping and forcing it into the work. wave it like a lady waves a handkerchief :D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top