I received my Plains War Hatchet from Ryan Johnson of RMJ Forge yesterday & I couldn't be happier with it.
This is one of Ryan's Rasp Hawks, a traditional style tomahawk forged from a large horseshoe rasp just as many blacksmiths did in the 18th century. Ryan offers several basic styles of Rasp Hawks but, since they are customs & made to customers' specs, the styles serve as more of design starting points than as specific models. For example, I liked the style of the head from one but didn't want the haft (handle) it was shown on. I liked the look of scallops on another haft but I didn't want them on the back, as was pictured. In addition, I liked decorative beads & tack work but I also wanted a brass wire wrap below the head.
Further complicating things a bit was the fact that I wanted a thrower & ordered extra plain hafts to have on hand when the inevitable happened & the decorative haft broke. I had planned on simply salvaging what I could when it broke & dressing up one of the replacements as best as I could. Thanks to Ryan, I no longer have to worry about it. The wire wrap & tacks would normally interfere with changing handles. However, since he knew I'd be throwing it, he inlayed the tacks and wire just enough to allow the head to be removed and a new handle put in place.
Here are some specs:
Steel: 1095; differentially tempered with edge hardness of 56-57 Rc & hardness at the eye of approximately 46; browned finish (similar to the finish on most gun barrels of the 18th century).
Cutting Edge: ~ 3 1/4"
Edge to Eye: ~ 4"
Haft: 18 3/4" flame hardened hickory with a multi-coat wax finish that is made at RMJ Forge. (See RMJ's How They're Made page for construction details & the wax formula.)
I can't tell you the weight but it's light, well balanced & quick in the hand -- just the way I had hoped it would be. (I know Ryan lurks here so maybe he'll chime in with an approximate weight.) I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet since there are few opportunities to throw hawks in NYC. (As I told Ryan, I don't think it's a sanctioned activity for city parks.
) I'll be heading upstate to our camp in a couple of weeks & will follow-up with some user feedback at that time.
It's time for me to start saving my pennies for one of RMJ's pipe hawks next... now, do I want a French #2 or a Hunter's Moon model... maybe a Plains Peace Pipe... then again, that Pappy Hawk...
------------------
Cheers,
Brian
(formerly bcaffrey)
He who finishes with the most toys wins.
This is one of Ryan's Rasp Hawks, a traditional style tomahawk forged from a large horseshoe rasp just as many blacksmiths did in the 18th century. Ryan offers several basic styles of Rasp Hawks but, since they are customs & made to customers' specs, the styles serve as more of design starting points than as specific models. For example, I liked the style of the head from one but didn't want the haft (handle) it was shown on. I liked the look of scallops on another haft but I didn't want them on the back, as was pictured. In addition, I liked decorative beads & tack work but I also wanted a brass wire wrap below the head.
Further complicating things a bit was the fact that I wanted a thrower & ordered extra plain hafts to have on hand when the inevitable happened & the decorative haft broke. I had planned on simply salvaging what I could when it broke & dressing up one of the replacements as best as I could. Thanks to Ryan, I no longer have to worry about it. The wire wrap & tacks would normally interfere with changing handles. However, since he knew I'd be throwing it, he inlayed the tacks and wire just enough to allow the head to be removed and a new handle put in place.
Here are some specs:
Steel: 1095; differentially tempered with edge hardness of 56-57 Rc & hardness at the eye of approximately 46; browned finish (similar to the finish on most gun barrels of the 18th century).
Cutting Edge: ~ 3 1/4"
Edge to Eye: ~ 4"
Haft: 18 3/4" flame hardened hickory with a multi-coat wax finish that is made at RMJ Forge. (See RMJ's How They're Made page for construction details & the wax formula.)
I can't tell you the weight but it's light, well balanced & quick in the hand -- just the way I had hoped it would be. (I know Ryan lurks here so maybe he'll chime in with an approximate weight.) I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet since there are few opportunities to throw hawks in NYC. (As I told Ryan, I don't think it's a sanctioned activity for city parks.
It's time for me to start saving my pennies for one of RMJ's pipe hawks next... now, do I want a French #2 or a Hunter's Moon model... maybe a Plains Peace Pipe... then again, that Pappy Hawk...
------------------
Cheers,
Brian
(formerly bcaffrey)
He who finishes with the most toys wins.
