new to hawks, modding info/help needed

[jvsanywherebuthere]

i just bought a CS norse hawk and would like to strip the black paint off the blade and add a longer haft with a better fit. any advice? thanks

 

[Pipeman]

Welcome person with long name ;-))
There is a modding thread at the top of this page that has all the tips. Just get some paint remover to clean the paint off. I use steel wool after most of the black is off and then a dremel wire rotary brush to get into the roughish surface, any small wire brush will work. After that you can go wild sanding and grinding or just do a soak in vinegar to bring up the "hamon" better known as the hardened edge, it will be darker than the rest of the blade. Have fun.

Best regards

Robin

 

[jvsanywherebuthere]

thanks a lot, il post sum pics when im done with it. any advice on getting the axe head to stay on better it seems a little lose, epoxy or maybe a metal pin instead of that set screw?

 

[HandAxeProMan]

You want the head to move to help absorb the impact of the strike when you throw it. Custom hawks do not even have the set screw.

 

[Pipeman]

thanks a lot, il post sum pics when im done with it. any advice on getting the axe head to stay on better it seems a little lose, epoxy or maybe a metal pin instead of that set screw?

Hi Longname ;-))
Scrap the set screw, it eats the haft (handle). You will likely have to clean up and burrs on the inside of the eye then clean up the haft where the eye has eaten the hickory.If you have a dremel the sanding barrels work great for cleaning up inside the eye, if not a round file works well, like a chainsaw file. If you make the head and the haft fit nicely together the beat the crap out of it to drive the head on tight it will stay on much better than a stock fit. If you check out the modding thread it has all kinds of info on wrapping etc that the folks here use to keep the head on. Have fun and post pics when you finish. This is a great forum with vast amounts of shared info and talented makers, all great folks.
Here's a pic of one I did, sorry, don't have a pic of the blade uncovered. The haft is dyed with leather dye the oiled with linseed, head cleaned and soaked in vinegar.
Best regards

Robin

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[jvsanywherebuthere]

of course though, the handle just cracked so thatl put a delay on things

 

[jvsanywherebuthere]

The new norse hawk in action

Step 1: removing the factory paint (sand paper & paint stripper)

sorry bout the blurry pics, taken with my camera phone

 

[jvsanywherebuthere]

a quick vinegar patina after stripping the blade

 

[Pipeman]

Hey friend with long name. Nice clean up. Have fun with it.

Regards

Robin

 

[jvsanywherebuthere]

a little practice woodburning waiting for the new haft, plan to do a walnut stain, woodburn, and a leather wrapped grip