Mod'ing The CS Trail Hawk

I have been lurking Blade Forums for several months now, and after taking two days to read this thread from start to finish, I figured this would be a good time for my first post.

So on that note... Hello!

I haven't received them yet, but I have a CS spike hawk as well as two trail hawks on the way. As soon as they get here...I will start the mod process and hopefully I'll have an end product that will look remotely close to some of the fine work I have seen so far.

I'll be sure to post pics!! LOL
 
Okay. I'm in.

I had already ordered a trail hawk on Sunday, and was looking for sharpening and modification advice when I found this thread. (My initial plan was for a lightweight backpacking axe/hammer that could be broken down and carried in my pack, or carry just the head in my dayhike gear for reduced weight)

I have since ordered two more hawks...and my first one isn't even here yet!

I have also created a shopping list for leather, etchant, a blow torch, a belt sander, vinegar, chemical paint stripper, gun blue, sandpaper, files, rasp, stain, boiled linseed oil, and a divorce attorney for when my wife sees me bringing all this stuff into the house.

So anyway, hello new friends! Mind if I crash on your couch in a few weeks?
 
Yeah it's a hoot really. You buy a couple hawks and before you know it you've put more money into modding then it cost to begin with. But it's cool then because it's "yours". And everyone else's is different.
 
Any of you guys ever use "Citrustrip" to strip your hawk? Was wondering how long I could expect it to take to work. Been on there for an hour, hasn't seemed to do much of anything.

EDIT: Never mind. Found out this stuff works well, but takes quite some time to work. As in 16-20 hours.
 
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The Warrior said:
Any of you guys ever use "Citrustrip" to strip your hawk? Was wondering how long I could expect it to take to work. Been on there for an hour, hasn't seemed to do much of anything.

EDIT: Never mind. Found out this stuff works well, but takes quite some time to work. As in 16-20 hours.
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I've used that stuff before and found that after an hour the paint was practically melting off. I wonder why it took so long for you?
 
Blue Sky said:
I've used that stuff before and found that after an hour the paint was practically melting off. I wonder why it took so long for you?
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Strange. I've read where others had the same experience as you, and yet others have the experience I'm having.
 
Is this the orange pasty stuff? I've used it, and its performance was thoroughly underwhelming.
 
rockspyder said:
Is this the orange pasty stuff? I've used it, and its performance was thoroughly underwhelming.
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Yes it is. It worked well, but took several hours. I noticed it was starting to work, but decided to wait until the next day to make sure. Getting close to getting my hawk done, btw. Will post photos within the next few days.
 
The stuff I used was a spray-on type, which foamed up after it was on. We must be talking about two different things. If I can find the can I'll post some details about it.
 
Yeah, mine was a thick like paste in a jug. I have my trail hawk mod done, but am waiting for a few touch ups to dry before taking photos.
 
Here's my mod. Ground the eye socket, stripped and blued the head, painted the handle black, with olive drab tiger stripes, 550 corded it. With, and without the kydex sheath Snakedoc made. Along side my tiger striped grivory BK2:

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the warrior said:
here's my mod. Ground the eye socket, stripped and blued the head, painted the handle black, with olive drab tiger stripes, 550 corded it. With, and without the kydex sheath snakedoc made. Along side my tiger striped grivory bk2
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nice!!!
 
Well, one person at least likes it, lol. Thanks, appreciated.
 
Sweet!

I got my CS spikehawk in the other day, so hopefully i'll get to work on it sometime this weekend. My 2 trailhawks are on BO, LOL.
 
Thanks, appreciated. I thought about getting one of the spike hawks myself.
 
Bah. I've got a bad feeling that the haft that came with my CSTH is simply too poorly shaped to ever allow firm wood-head contact.

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Basically, the haft sides are entirely parallel up until the last 3/8 inch, where there's finally a flare outward. And, of course, the parallel width up to that last little bit is smaller than the eye, so even though the top little bit of the eye can get some purchase if I file the haft end enough, the bottom part of the eye will never have anything to grab onto. Not to mention I'll have at best 1/4 inch of haft sticking up above the head once I'm done. Perma-rattle is apparently in my future, so I guess I have to shim it up with some tape wrapped around the haft end and inserted back into the eye.

At least the head stripped easy. Whoopdie doo!
 
Well I started my mods on a old trail hawk and spike hawk on the 4th. Both are very sharp now. Will strip the paint and see what it looks like under that. I am thinking bluing the head and maybn the handles, not impressed with them but will see what can be done. Who knows, about anything will look better than what they sent.
 
The Warrior said:
Here's my mod. Ground the eye socket, stripped and blued the head, painted the handle black, with olive drab tiger stripes, 550 corded it. With, and without the kydex sheath Snakedoc made. Along side my tiger striped grivory BK2:
Click to expand...

What kind of paint did you use on the handle of the BK2?
 
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