Lewis & Clark Missour War Axe....CR16

[Wild Rose]

Feb 5, 1805

Anyway here is a CactusRose version of the style of tomahawk that was to become known as the Missouri War Hawk/Axe/Hatchet......

The hand forged blade of 1050 was made by Gib using the traditional wrapped and forged method - the drifted eye is slightly oval in shape - a known variant of the more common round eye - three grooves decorate the eye. The forge finished and age etched blade measures 8 1/2" from edge to back and the cutting edge is 4 7/8" high. The hickory handle is 18" long and 1 /14" in diameter. Handle decoration consists of three copper wire wrapped sections, edged with brass tacks - between are file branded sections with brass tacks. The grip section is of buffalo rawhide with beadwork on both ends. The beaded "drop" is made of smoke tan buckskin - below it hangs an ermine skin wrapped horse tail. Handmade tin covered iron tinklers, copper beads, glass beads and brass hawk bells finish off the deco.

For those going to Blade 2005 be sure and visit Tim Adlam's table - where this piece along with a couple of others, including our 1840's Bowie CR #15 will be on display.

Below is an original that served in part as the inspiration for this piece.

Thanks for looking - Gib, Chuck, & Linda......aka CactusRose....

 

[jiminy]

Oops, OK, I found it...

Wow, that's quite elaborate, but very nice. I tend to like the more basic looking hawks, and while I like the detents filled with other metals on hawk blades, I'm not a big fan of the 'weeping hearts' (or other) punchouts. But pay no mind ...that's just me.

I would sure like to own that 'original' piece, though

Who did the beadwork on your drop? Nice.

 

[Terry_Dodson]

all i can say is WOW

 

[Dan Gray]

chuck what are you guys doing with your spair time..

yeah .. like you have any right..

sweet .. head beater,,,

 

[Will52100]

Awsome! Beutiful work guys, just beutiful!

 

[Wild Rose]

Thanks guys! As always comments of any sort are welcome...of course this style is not to every one's taste......

chuck what are you guys doing with your spair time.. yeah .. like you have any right..

exactumundo.... - besides who needs any stinking spare time....
Pieces like this though are a sort of a busman's holiday - just wish I had time to do more of this work - I've got several more blades and knives to work on, but also have 6 months worth of cowboy gear to get out the door so......

Who did the beadwork on your drop?

My wife Linda does the bulk of the beadwork on our pieces - I do some, all of the edge beading on the sheaths and usually on the face of the rawhide.