With or without?

[Raymond Richard]

I've been working this hawk for a few days now. I've been thinking about adding one vertical groove where I made the black mark in the first picture. I think it would also look fine without. Just wondering what would be your preference?

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

My vote is for with. It shows a little more attention to detail and that is what sets being handmade apart from the rest.

Here are a couple great examples by Joe Szilaski

 

[bluejaunte]

I vote for "with" as well--perhaps even a double-groove filed in there would add quite a nice break from that wide, flat expanse of the head.

I'm lovin' that spike. :thumbup:

Either way, your 'hawks have definitely inspired me to try my hand at making one sooner rather than later. I used to always think of forging a hawk as something I'd like to try sometime--now it's something I want to try when I get my forge up and running!

 

[Allen Newberry]

with

Allen

 

[scout_77]

I vote with

 

[Dan Pierson]

I think with too.

 

[John M Cohea]

With for sure Ray, but either way coming from you it will be fantastic:thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

More the better Ray. You getting lazy or something?

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

I "SECOND" the post up above, Ray, why not two smaller ones?

 

[ddavelarsen]

Yeah Ray, don't peter out on us with this one! Put that file to work.

 

[DustinHall]

With.

 

[Steven Penner]

I say yes.

...but

You have such nice curves in the edge and the fuller at the spike,
why not mirror them in the carving/filing you will do on the head.

My drawing skills suck, but you see what I mean..

 

[Burton Harruff]

Yeah give it a groove brother.

 

[JasonSCarter]

Groovey Ray! I love the spike, and the overall flow of the hatchet, what kind of steel is it made out of?

 

[John R. Fraps]

Yes and I like Steven's suggestion also.
Neat Hawk Ray!

 

[Raymond Richard]

More the better Ray. You getting lazy or something?

Bruce, Do you think I have changed?

I had a feeling how this would turn out so I went ahead did just the one groove on each side. Filing is something I try to avoid except when need be. The head was forged again out of the 1" square 1080. I used another piece of hickory that Scott had given me a couple years ago. I'm not sure if he noticed the curl in this board. Here's a couple overall shots.....

 

[Bruce Bump]

Gee Ray you went all out on that groove. Do you only own the one file?
I do like that handle!