tomahawk from cpm3v?

T

tatalley10

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Nov 29, 2015
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Looking for tomahawk head made from cpm3v? Not a skinny one waterjeted from a solid plate and then sharpened and given handles.... I mean one that looks like a pipe hawk from coldsteel!!! A friction fit head... anyone seen one of these?
 
3v isn't conducive to forging so it's unlikely you will see one of those...not impossible, but unlikely. Along those same lines it's unlikely anyone has milled out such a head from a block of 3v.
 
What a coincidence! Tomorrow I'm going to visit the Basque axemaker Jauregi to purchase some custom axes, between them is a Biscayne axe made with the steel he uses in the racing axes. The axe is simmilar to this,

11696397_1024130054273400_8887295966558098728_o.jpg


I'm not allowed to comment the steel he uses in racing axes. But I can say that steel is based in a tool steel toughter than S7, he has customized it to fit his demands and he forges the bit of his axes. Between the mods he has made to the steel I can say that he has added another carbide former, that element is not commonly used in cutlery but is very highly regarded and used in some high end steels. I'm sorry but this is all I can say :(

If you live in west Europe is very easy to get the same axe I will purchase.

I have a little curiosity, which steel properties are you looking for when you ask for that type of tool steel?
 
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I forgot to comment tomahawks evolved from trade axes, who were in esence renamed Biscayne axes. Biscayne axes are still produced in their birthplace and they have the fit type you want.
 
Ugaldie said:
I forgot to comment tomahawks evolved from trade axes, who were in esence renamed Biscayne axes. Biscayne axes are still produced in their birthplace and they have the fit type you want.
Click to expand...

That's an excellent suggestion-to go straight to the historic source!Especially seeing that the local makers there tend to get into the exotic alloys for steeling axes,it sounds like....

(I can only imagine that any number of US smiths would consider forging a CPM -bladet tomahawk;i'd personally recommend asking Alan Longmire.An incredibly gifted smith specialising in hawks traditional to the US).

Ugaldie,i've not thanked you before for posting all this fantastic data on Basque axe-making/-manship,it's very impressive.

Is there a specific reason that that smith is targeting the more complex modern alloys for the edge?Edge-holding ability?Some different geometry that it can be sharpened to?

I've travelled through the Pyrenees camping in the mountains,and have bought myself a cheap hatchet at a sm all hardware store.It was a fantastic axe,very functional,and the compression eye was just excellently-designed/shaped...Never came loose while using the axe,but slid right off instantly for packing into my backpack...).
That was many moons ago,but i've often thought of that axe,as i have started forging myself,and never could come up with a decent proportion for the compression eye....It's deceptively simple-seeming,but simple it is NOT.(if i was up against a serious commission for an axe with a comp.eye i'd seriously consider copying one off some Biscayne axe...:)
Those racing axes are gorgeous,with all that height/depth of eye...Great tools,impressive workmanship.
 
UGALDIE,
I have recently been very impressed with cpm3v survival knives from 3 blades river and thought a tomahawk made from the same would last a lifetime. The toughness and good edge would make perfect hawk as a handle could always be made in the bush if needed

Seems like a cnc mill job from what others have posted.
 
Ide be all over a 3V hawk. I'de say it has to be machined. Ide be curious to see if running it at knife hardness had any disadvantages as most axes are run soft. Ide br worried that a 3V hawk might chip it it was run around 60. He chips would be small but could be a real B to sharpen out. Running it at 56-57 would be super tough and easy to sharpen.
 
And with some cerakote it would look bad ass...
Of course an old school patina would also be bad ass
 
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to make a full on micarta tomahawk handle? Start with a 1.5x1.5x22 inch piece of micarta and mill it exactly like a hickory hawk handle. It would be interesting to see how durable, flexible it is. It would go nicely with a cnc machined 3V head.
 
There is no reason to use CPM3V at less than 58. At that hardness even using the "factory spec" high tempering temperatures,it has over twice the toughness of A2 and even a significant bit more than L6. While it is not as tough as S7 or H13, it is probably one of the toughest steels that you can use that will take a very fine and stable edge. You problem will be riding someone who will forge it for you. I can be done, but not easily especially considering that I haven't seen 3V stock any thinker than 3/8 for sale. Why do you need 3V? i would suspect that you would snap off the handle of a hawk long before you mess us any of the common hawk "tough" steels like 4140, 5160, 80CrV2 or L6.
Riz2530 said:
Ide be all over a 3V hawk. I'de say it has to be machined. Ide be curious to see if running it at knife hardness had any disadvantages as most axes are run soft. Ide br worried that a 3V hawk might chip it it was run around 60. He chips would be small but could be a real B to sharpen out. Running it at 56-57 would be super tough and easy to sharpen.
Click to expand...
 
I agree with you. I definitely dont need one, but it would be cool to have. I wonder if one could forge weld a 3V bit into a head of regular carbon steel?

I love me some tomahawks. Currently my 2Hawks Longhunter is my favorite.
 
I'm figuring I would need 4"x8"x1.5" block, in order to minimize waste two could be cut from 1 block.
 
tatalley10 said:
Looking for tomahawk head made from cpm3v? Not a skinny one waterjeted from a solid plate and then sharpened and given handles.... I mean one that looks like a pipe hawk from coldsteel!!! A friction fit head... anyone seen one of these?
Click to expand...
jdm61 brings up some very valid points.

In another post you mentioned a Cold Steel Pipe Hawk. Based on this I assume this to be the general style you are looking for (Hawk with a Hammer-Pole). These include differentially heat treated heads (both bit & pole hardened for striking). Have you had a negative first hand experience with the Cold Steel Hawks?

My experiences with them have been very positive. My kit typically includes either a Pipe or Frontier Hawk and I am very impressed with their value.

Curious as to where you believe these tools are left wanting?
 
I dunno, the cool factor, having a hawk that I could beat to death forever and not worry about sharpening but every so often. I have a pipe hawk I just think against hardwoods it needs sharpening more than I like too...lol
 
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