Spike Hawk sans spike.

[Drummertist]

How much of the spike on the CS Spike Hawk is heat treated? I wondering this because I love the size of the bit, the shape of the cheeks, and the beard but I want a hammer poll like the Trail Hawk. How much could I cut off and still have the heat treat on the poll?

 

[dogstar]

Did you strip off the paint? If you did, maybe you can see the transition when light hits at the correct angle.

My guess is the first inch or so will be hardened, so you will not have a hardened poll, which is not a problem unless you want to drive nails with it. You can harden it yourself by heating it and quenching in oil.

I say keep your spike (it's a pretty design) and get a trail hawk or pipe hawk. I went with the frontier because I'm not sure I need the hammer poll. If I need to pound stakes, I'll use a baton or the back of the eye.