Tomahawk tempering

Guy Thomas · Apr 21, 2003

Hey, this seems like the place to post this question. I will be making a tomahawk soon and I was wondering if you guys new what the tempering draw should be. Up toward, but not quite to, a apring temper or closer to knife hardness?

DancesWithKnives · Apr 21, 2003

Do you intend to throw it, or will it be purely for chopping, skinning, etc.?

Cliff Stamp · Apr 22, 2003

For throwing you want it quite tough, but still hard enough so that it doesn't get too badlt indented when it hits something hard, 45-55 RC is a decent range to consider. At the lower edge it will resist fracture almost completely but will tend to indent excessively on a hard contact. At the high end it will start to fracture but will resist indendation very strongly. Some experimentation is necessary to see where the right balance lies, it depends on the steel and the method of heat treatment. If is a more utility type axe, then get it much harder, 55-60 RC. The only reason that you would want to conserve on hardness here is for cold weather cutting, and/or thick bone chopping.

-Cliff

billyp · Apr 22, 2003

i just recently got a new hawk that is fordged from an old rasp that has been bent around then pounded together to form the edge i would guess its pretty stout but im kind of worried its going to be brittle, the guy (a friend, not some salesperson

) i got it from said it was some maker in idaho who worked for NASA dealing with tempering. so im assuming its going to be pretty good quality. just wondering if anyone might have any info.

also is it bad to use a throwing hawk for chopping purposes, or is it really just a one trick pony? sorry for the ignorance im new to the throwing game.

billyp

Cliff Stamp · Apr 22, 2003

Throwing tomahawks generally have much thicker edges and are softer than axes used for wood working. Thus the tomahawks generally won't do as well, they won't get damaged in any way though.

-Cliff

billyp · Apr 22, 2003

thanks for the answer didnt want to do any damage

DancesWithKnives · Apr 22, 2003

My Competition model throwing hawk from Two Hawks ( www.2hawks.net ) is hard enough to hold an edge and chop pretty well. I have a softer thrower from H & B Forge that dulls more quickly when chopping, but can be easily sharpened. The chopping doesn't hurt it any. But as Cliff says, you should generally go softer if you plan to throw a lot.

veritas · Apr 23, 2003

How long did it take to get ur hawk from TwoHawks...?I'm thinkin about maybe E-mailing him about placing an order, but I heard his wait is like a year...

Still not as long as RMJ Forge but still a year...I know there worth it...TwoHawks work is awesome...I was just curious how long you waited...?

DancesWithKnives · Apr 23, 2003

Check Two Hawks' inventory on his website to see if any are available or in process. You can also e-mail him---he's pretty good about responding within a few days. One time I saw a rawhide-wrapped Longhunter become available and had it in about ten days. Others were significantly longer waits, but I can't recall the details.

Guy Thomas · Apr 28, 2003

Thanks guys, the hawk I will be making will see general purpose useage so it's needs to hold an edge fairly well and be tough. I'll try and split the difference between soft and knife hard. I'll be using L6 steel so that should help some in keeping it tough.