Prototype fighting hawk

[BenR.T.]

Hey guys I thought I would show a few pics of a modern fighting hawk I just finished heat treating this weekend. It still need to make a kydex sheath before it goes up for sale. The handle is 550 cord wrapped, T6 aluminum. The head is L6, and is attached via x3 1/4'' allen bolts, the head also extends about 2" into the handle for added strength. with such a light handle this thing seriously moves! let me know what you think!

 

[harkamus]

I like it. Looks mean. Looks like business.

 

[JayGoliath]

Hi Ben,

What's the thickness of the stock? and OAL?

Very nice patina !

You got mail.

 

[Burke]

I've always liked this handle concept for a non-forged tomahawk head. Curious to hear if the bolts loosen up after use - i.e., chopping hardwoods, light prying, etc. My concern would be that they would wear away the softer aluminum a bit, leading to head play.

 

[BenR.T.]

Oal is 16.5", head thickness is .175".head length is 8.5", I forgot to mention that the handle is wrinkle powder coated.
So far it has held very well to chopping and prying with the spike. with the head extending into the handle it takes a lot of the stress off the screws. (I did a lot off testing prior to the final finish)

 

[JayGoliath]

I think T6 could handle quite an abuse. I might be totally wrong though.

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~bsb/me372/docs/fatigue_curves_6061.pdf

http://www.finishing.com/362/40.shtml

Funny enough, after 9 years i get to meet Lee, the metallurgist who answered the post.
Lee was my Material course instructor during my college days.

The world has just gotten smaller.

 

[HandAxeProMan]

Mean looking hawk. I especially like the paracord wrapping on the metal handle.

 

[Hesparus]

Looks good. Is there a bevel on the inside of the spike end?

 

[BenR.T.]

Looks good. Is there a bevel on the inside of the spike end?

Yes it is beveled, but not quite sharp. It is designed for piercing, not cutting.

 

[Ookami]

I am going to be honest, so take it as constructive criticism. I don't like it that much for several reasons:
- I cannot warm up to axes where the toe of the bit (ie the upper corner of the edge) trails toward the handle, as this can lead to glances
- the spike is pointing upwards so it is off line in a strike, which diminishes the impact; it will also be less effective for hooking
- there are small corners where the bit sits in the haft that might be abrasive in a choked up grip
- I can't really tell, but if the haft is a tube and therefore round, it would also be a negative: the handle can roll in hand on impact, to compensate you'd have to grip harder, tiring you faster - indexing would also suffer
- the overall shape of the bit is missing clear lines - it looks a bit like it had them, but then "melted" out of proportion

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I think if you adressed some of these issues, it'd become a much better product.


Ookami

PS: I like most of your knives, so I know you can improve on that design.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thank you for your opinion.