Stripping An H&B Hawk?

T

Thumper1958

Joined
Jul 7, 2007
Messages
16
Good Day to All,

This is my first post on this forum (great collection of info)
I'm currently working on my first Tomahawk; an H&B Large Camp Axe. My plan was to "strip" it, sand the head smoother and then blue it.
But I can not get all of the original finish off the head! I've tried a "heavy-duty" paint stripper, let it set for a good 20 mins
and it hardly touched it. What seems to be the best product for removing the H&B (and CS) finishs?
I've also purchased a CS Norse Hawk and an H&B Shawnee. and plan to strip and re-finish thier heads as well
(I used to make knives years ago, and I just can't seem to leave things alone, gotta make 'em better...)
The Camp Ax (Hawk) is to be a present to my older brother. I'm also planning to do "something" special with the handle.

Thanks to any and all who read and comment!

Kevin

"...if it ain't broke, fix it anyway"
 
trouble is the H&B is forge finished not painted like the cold steel crap so theres no paint to strip
 
...it sure looks like paint!?

What exactly is "forge-finishing"...?

Anywho, at this point I've spent more than a few hours hand-sanding the head
down to ~ 320 grit, but there are still some deeper forge marks that I'll
never get out and they've got the black "finish/paint" in them.
I think after bringing it to 400 grit, I'll end up degreasing the head and blueing it.
I think that it will have a "rustic" look....
My bluing from Brownells should be here in a day or two....

Kevin
 
Forge finish is what you have after forging. Decarb and hammer marks. Best and easiest way to remove the decarb is by soaking in vinegar for a few days. You'll still have the hammer marks but the black will pretty much be gone. Wire brushing every couple hours will help it come off quicker.
 
cold steel heads are cast and then painted so easier to just remove the paint with a thinner/steel wool and mess with the cast head then alter a hand-forged hawk
 
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