My modest collection

M

MikeA

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
216
Here are some pics of my collection in it's early stages.

Missing from the photos are my K5 Tactical Spike (on order), a custom forged hawk from a maker in the NE, and a 3J poll hawk (with my blackpowder stuff).

First off, my latest custom commissioned piece from Stu Willis (anvil1231).
It's a poll hawk forged from an antique plow blade. Presentation teardrop-shaped curly maple wood with pewter inlays and caps. As with all his pieces, it's differentially tempered. Very beautiful hawk. Make no mistake, all of Stu's pieces can be displayed or used, and man are they nice in the hand!!!

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Next is another of Stu's pieces - another custom commissioned spike hawk, forged from a 16oz ballpeen hammer. Fire-hardened haft of curly maple. I saw a piece from thim that was similar, and wanted it to symbolize a Great great great great Grandfather that was in one of the Ranger companies under Washington. He fought at Yorktown as well. I thought it was appropriate.

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Another of Stu's spikes....just a different style. Forged from another 16oz bp hammer. Firehardened walnut haft.

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My first hawk from Stu.....another 16oz ballpeen hammer forged into a very nice spike hawk. I believe a mahogany haft (could be cherry.....Stu???)

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Next is a Coal Creek Forge spike hawk, forged from 1" square stock 1075. Nice curly maple haft in tear drop shape. I rust browned the head, added the leather/sinew, along with the lion's hair drop. Yep, lions hair......

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Another example from CCF. Made from the same stock, only with some simple filework and linework on the head. Haft is a teardrop curly maple. Very light in the hand....

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Next are my tactical hawks, from L to R......
ATC Sibert Comanche short model, ATC/Emerson CQC-T, Hays of Montana Next Generation Spike, and an ATC VTAC Lagana Tactical.

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Can't wait for the K5 and my other custom to arrive.

Hi, I'm MikeA, and I have an addiction to tomahawks......... :thumbup:
 
Here's my display mounts........ it's old growth Oregon flaming cedar. It was felled over 135 yrs ago, and just recently cut and dryed. Simple, but pretty. Shame it's too soft for hafts.....it's beautiful when sanded and sealed. This is just cut and a light coat of tung oil to help seal. The first piece doesn't show, but it glows just like the one in the second pic.

Also, my 3J poll hawk is the one on the far right in the second pic. I fire hardened the haft, and embellished it with brass tacks.

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Mike, The one did have a mahogany haft. I really like the flaming cedar mount. Great idea and Beautiful wood.
 
Is it rude to drool? Haha.

You have a very nice sized collection going on there with some very impressive specimines. I have a list of a few more custom hawks I want to have made. Mark Williams made my existing pipe hawk (fully functional as tool/weapon or pipe). If you search for him on this forum, you'll be able to find a link to his website in his profile. My hawk is on his front page. Some of the others I want are "themed" and kind of specialized. Some more decorative than functional (one silver-bitted, one made of cold-worked iron [not steel], both engraved, etc...).

You own 2 of the 6 tactical hawks I want. I really want a VTAC (will be purchased with my next paycheck) and a Next Gen, but I also want a K5 Tactical (which you have on order), LMAX (from Nemesis Knives), RMJ Kestral, and a Strider CR (a lot).

On order myself I have a Lee Reeves Nessmuk double-bit handaxe. Not a tomahawk, but still a nice addition to any collection in my opinion. I use to have a rawhide-wrapped Longhunter on order from the late Two Hawks, but didn't bother to "renew" it when the new guy took over. I'll probably get a Rogers' Rangers field grade spike from Bear Mountain, along with a field grade Minuteman, sometime in the future as well. They're a neat piece of history and are just plain nice looking.

I really like how you gave some insight as to the material used to make your latest hawk and hawk stand. I really find it interesting hearing about that kind of stuff.
 
I too have inquired on the Talon Tactical or Kestral from RMJ Forge. Gotta wait till at least the end of February before they're caught up. I just haven't decided on which length I want!

The more I look at the Strider CR, the more I like it. It's a demo tool to beat all others! You can't cut warm scat with it, but there's no doubt in my military mind that it could take apart a car or a concrete wall. The ultimate breaching tool (besides demo!).
 
MikeA said:
I too have inquired on the Talon Tactical or Kestral from RMJ Forge. Gotta wait till at least the end of February before they're caught up. I just haven't decided on which length I want!
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I read an article in Tactical Pistols or some such about tactical tomahawks, and the Kestral was one of the featured. It was stated that the smaller size was liked by troops who had it and needed something to help get out of IED hit humvees. Just a thought.
MikeA said:
The more I look at the Strider CR, the more I like it. It's a demo tool to beat all others! You can't cut warm scat with it, but there's no doubt in my military mind that it could take apart a car or a concrete wall. The ultimate breaching tool (besides demo!).
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I hear that. You want it for the same reasons I do.
 
I'm leaning towards the Kestral as well for the simple reason that the K5 will be the longer hafted heavy duty hawk, while the Kestral would be more of an "up close and personal" tool. Plus, I like the idea of the micarta running clear up the haft to the head. Looks sleeker to me........... :thumbup:
 
MikeA said:
I'm leaning towards the Kestral as well for the simple reason that the K5 will be the longer hafted heavy duty hawk, while the Kestral would be more of an "up close and personal" tool. Plus, I like the idea of the micarta running clear up the haft to the head. Looks sleeker to me........... :thumbup:
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I bought a kestral - it is in my top 3 of all the hawks I own. Paid a lot due to RMJ slow response and delivery, so I got it at auction. Worth every penny!
 
great pics!

last time i checked bladeart.com they had one of rmj's tacticals for anyone interested

i have the bigger eagle talon and it is one solid tool
 
Mike, you are the hawk king on here i think.. You have the nicest collection that I have seen! Fantastic hawks. I just have the VTAC, but I am sure I will be collecting more over the years.
 
knuckleduster said:
I bought a kestral - it is in my top 3 of all the hawks I own. Paid a lot due to RMJ slow response and delivery, so I got it at auction. Worth every penny!
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That's what I'm leaning towards, for sure. Just seem right!

Mick57 said: Those are sweet! Thanks for sharing
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Hey, I like seeing what other folks have out there, so I figured what the heck!

witchhunter said: great pics!

last time i checked bladeart.com they had one of rmj's tacticals for anyone interested

i have the bigger eagle talon and it is one solid tool
Today 09:30 AM
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A real good friend of mine has the Talon, and it's a very formidable hawk. Keeps it strapped to the back of his truck seat. It's the first RMJ hawk I'd seen in person.........left me wanting one from jump street! :thumbup:


reconseed said: Mike, you are the hawk king on here i think.. You have the nicest collection that I have seen! Fantastic hawks. I just have the VTAC, but I am sure I will be collecting more over the years.
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recon, I doubt if I'm the "hawk king" on here......I've only been collecting seriously for about 6 months. There are guys here that have been at it for years.

I just love hawks. Period. My buddy with the RMJ is the one that got me hooked on 'em. Not that I haven't had others through the years/decades......I have, but not at the addiction level that I have now.
 
wow...:eek: what an awesome collection....:thumbup: :thumbup:

some beautiful work there..... i have my first hawk on the way.... i'm stoked..

mike
 
Thanks Mike, and congratulations on your first hawk!!!

You gotta make sure you share her with us when she arrives.

Collecting hawks can be a daunting thing.........buy food or a hawk.......lemme see.........I'm 270lbs........easy answer - another hawk!! :D
 
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