Post your RMJ hawks

Robert.B

Robert.B

Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
5,283
Heres my RMJ forge tomahawk, the hawk naturally is Ryans work...the baldric scabbard work was done by Ryans father I was told by the person I aquired it off.

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It is also published in the following book under RMJ forge page, written by David Grant.

http://www.paladin-press.com/product/856/Knife_and_Sword_Fighting
 
Here’s my RMJ Forge Patriot pipe hawk. I posted it on an earlier thread about traditionally made hawks but it bears reposting…

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you own that hawk? I have had pictures of that one for ages and love it...I was always hoping that hawk would show up for sale haha! very nice, and I see the stitching pattern on the baldric is a little different which suits your hawk.

Thanks for posting, hopefully there are more RMJ owners on here...seems like few people on the forums own his beautiful work (sad also that his not producing custom anymore).

PS. what have you used to maintain your baldric? saddle oil or something else?
 
I purchased that pipehawk about four years ago off Ebay from an acquaintance who was liquidating his collection of custom swords, knives and hawks. I believe Ryan made it around 2000. I haven't done a thing to maintain my baldric.
 
JRB said:
I purchased that pipehawk about four years ago off Ebay from an acquaintance who was liquidating his collection of custom swords, knives and hawks. I believe Ryan made it around 2000. I haven't done a thing to maintain my baldric.
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Well you're really lucky in my opinion, Ryan used to have images of that hawk on his website when he was still doing small custom runs and in 2003 or so I got offered my singman from a friend in Montana...definately wouldnt let that one go!!! :thumbup:

PS. I wouldnt mind betting the baldric was also made by Ryans father if its true that is who was making them, IIRC mine was made around the same time period.
 
1445george said:
Very nice hawks. I am new to hawks. What is the signifigance of the heart cutout in the blade?
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Those were common in historic hawks of the period. Also the weeping heart, cross's and the cross of Lorain were common.
 
JRB, question fior you, The scabbard doesn't seem to have a welt at the blade edge . Does the haft hold the edge away from the stitching at the blade edge?

Regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
...Does the haft hold the edge away from the stitching at the blade edge?...
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Yes, the blade edge does not touch the stitching because of the tight fit of the haft in the scabbard. I'd guess there is about a 1/16" space between the edge and the stitching.
 
JRB said:
Yes, the blade edge does not touch the stitching because of the tight fit of the haft in the scabbard. I'd guess there is about a 1/16" space between the edge and the stitching.
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Thanks, it's an interesting design.

Regards

Robin
 
Hey guys - thanks for the kind words. A few notes:
I still make the kind of hawks you guys are showing off, only about 12 - 15 of them a year. Most of them go straight to bladeart and a few get sold on the tactical website. I am going to forge about six of them this week, if I can I'll grab some pictures of the forging process. I would like to make more, but between military hawks and chasing the kiddos around I'm lucky to get those made!
The scabbard design is a copy of a scabbard in the Audubon Museum. They have the General Samuel Hopkins hawk and scabbard. (one of my faves - I'll be making a version of the hawk soon) This scabbard is shown in a book that anyone interested in this stuff should get: "Firearms Tools and Traps of the Mountain Men" by Carl P. Russell. This is one of the best researched books available on the subject and is definitely worth your time. It is also fairly inexpensive last time I checked.
Thanks again - making hawks is what I do. I can't tune an engine well, can't back up a trailer, can't handle a boat without scaring the others. All I really do well is hawks and if it weren't for guys like you I would be piling them up in the closet - I already junk up the house enough as it is...
Ryan Johnson
 
RMJ Tactical said:
Hey guys - thanks for the kind words. A few notes:
I still make the kind of hawks you guys are showing off, only about 12 - 15 of them a year. Most of them go straight to bladeart and a few get sold on the tactical website. I am going to forge about six of them this week, if I can I'll grab some pictures of the forging process. I would like to make more, but between military hawks and chasing the kiddos around I'm lucky to get those made!
The scabbard design is a copy of a scabbard in the Audubon Museum. They have the General Samuel Hopkins hawk and scabbard. (one of my faves - I'll be making a version of the hawk soon) This scabbard is shown in a book that anyone interested in this stuff should get: "Firearms Tools and Traps of the Mountain Men" by Carl P. Russell. This is one of the best researched books available on the subject and is definitely worth your time. It is also fairly inexpensive last time I checked.
Thanks again - making hawks is what I do. I can't tune an engine well, can't back up a trailer, can't handle a boat without scaring the others. All I really do well is hawks and if it weren't for guys like you I would be piling them up in the closet - I already junk up the house enough as it is...
Ryan Johnson
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Hey thanks for stopping by Ryan! :thumbup:

Once I'm back in the US and settled in I'll hit you up via email, I definitely need another traditional and a kestrel from your tactical line and figure straight from the horses mouth would give me the best chance at getting another (I've wanted a pipe hawk for AGES now but wont buy one unless you made it). :D

I'm particular about my hawks, and yours always show that you have researched into period pieces but your own flare comes through too that no other hawk smiths are doing.
 
RMJ Tactical said:
Hey guys - thanks for the kind words. A few notes:
I still make the kind of hawks you guys are showing off, only about 12 - 15 of them a year. Most of them go straight to bladeart and a few get sold on the tactical website. I am going to forge about six of them this week, if I can I'll grab some pictures of the forging process. I would like to make more, but between military hawks and chasing the kiddos around I'm lucky to get those made!
The scabbard design is a copy of a scabbard in the Audubon Museum. They have the General Samuel Hopkins hawk and scabbard. (one of my faves - I'll be making a version of the hawk soon) This scabbard is shown in a book that anyone interested in this stuff should get: "Firearms Tools and Traps of the Mountain Men" by Carl P. Russell. This is one of the best researched books available on the subject and is definitely worth your time. It is also fairly inexpensive last time I checked.
Thanks again - making hawks is what I do. I can't tune an engine well, can't back up a trailer, can't handle a boat without scaring the others. All I really do well is hawks and if it weren't for guys like you I would be piling them up in the closet - I already junk up the house enough as it is...
Ryan Johnson
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Very nice work Ryan. Glad you do what you do well. Keep it up.
 
Those are two very fine looking hawks. I have always admired Ryans work, some of the best. Thats also a good book shows many options of the tactical hawk.
 
Beautiful piece. Sorta makes me sad though. Back in '01 I had an order with Ryan for a pipe hawk. Actually it was my dream hawk. Told originally a 6 week turnaround time,sent a 50% down payment.

After two years of excuses,increasing lack of communication on Ryan's part and missed ship dates. I finally had to demand my money back.

:(
 
WillieWonka said:
Beautiful piece. Sorta makes me sad though. Back in '01 I had an order with Ryan for a pipe hawk. Actually it was my dream hawk. Told originally a 6 week turnaround time,sent a 50% down payment.

After two years of excuses,increasing lack of communication on Ryan's part and missed ship dates. I finally had to demand my money back.

:(
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Yes - that was an ugly time and you have my appologies for that. Long and complicated story short: It was my fault. My father was working with me at the time and then suddenly had to quit due to an extended hospital stay. I took on more work than I could handle trying to juggle the military stuff and the historical hawks as well. Finally it ended up with me not being able to check email without having a panic attack.
Because of this, I started over with a better setup that helps me work within my strengths and delegates my weaker points. RMJ Tactical was formed to help distribute the load - Richard handles the business end of things, Kerri handles phone calls/emails/shipping and John works on machining/grinding/thermoforming (and a lot of other odds and ends, John is a 25+ year knifemaker) which frees me up for design, R&D and the forging in my shop. A man has to know his limitations and I definitely know mine now. This is also why you don't see me taking orders for custom hawks - I make what I make and then sell it. That way no one gets frustrated with a wait period except me. :)
Thanks for the comment,
Ryan Johnson
 
Ryan,
You make awesome Hawks, and you support the troops like no other Ive seen. You work and dedication is appreciated more than you know.

Jim
 
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