Putting an edge on the beard of a Trail Hawk

[Shotgun]

Is this doable with files or would it just take forever? If it's doable, how would I go about clamping the hawk down with only clamps and no vice? The times I've used the file in the past I've just held the hawk with my other hand but for this I think I want both hands on the file.

 

[hawkhead]

This was my first hawk which was completed two years ago... with files. Use a 'c' clamp through the eye and cushion with a piece of wood. You can do it.

 

[omniviking]

I se that you don't have a vice. when I am working on an old axe or tomahwk and want to hold it steady, I take a piece of board and inch thick (really 3/4'sof an inch), 2 or 3 inches inches wide. I put this in my vice, but you could clamp or screw this to your bench or a saw horse sticking out 6 or 8 inches to clamp the hatchet or tomahawk head down with the edge hanging over the end of the board a tad to file or use a small grinder to work on the edge.

 

[Steve Tall]

For all that metal removal, I suggest using a big file, 12" or 14" bastard, with a wooden handle, wearing gloves. More effective and ergonomic this way, your hands and wrists will thank you. A passable handle can be made, if necessary, by drilling a hole in a scrap of wood and rounding the corners a bit with a rasp (I did this myself yesterday).

I'd love to hear some tips on filing from Mr. Church, and I'm curious about what exactly he uses for hot filing (and just how hot is it?)

Brainstorming a clamping approach, how about jamming a haft-like piece of wood into the eye, like a backwards handle, and clamping that down. Maybe in combination with clamping down another piece of wood that the top half of the bit is embedded in.

 

[Shotgun]

Hawkhead that's a really nice mod. I like that hawk a lot.

Thanks guys I have some ideas now on how to clamp it. The file I have is about a 12 incher with it's very own handle. Gloves are a good idea though.