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Tomahawk / axe from round stock


Todd Gdula
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I've done wrapped hawks and axes as well as using old hammer heads. I'd like to try using round stock to start. What's the best size to start with to minimize forging to size?

 

I was thinking 3/4" - 7/8" for a typical hawk and 1" - 1.25' for big axes.

 

That sound about right?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Todd

www.toddblades.com

 

"Geometry says how sharp, steel says how long." - Roman Landes, Ashokan 2009

 

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

 

- George Orwell

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I wouldn't use anything smaller than 1" for a hawk, assuming you're going to slit and drift. 1" square is about right for that, and 1" round has a fair bit less cross-sectional area than 1" square, enough so that if you square it up you get something closer to 3/4 than to 7/8. This won't leave a lot to work with, even if you don't square it up.

 

Hmmm... So it looks like I'm saying use 1.25" round, and up to 2" for large axes. ;)

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Thanks Alan, yep, slit and drift is the plan. I was hoping you'd pipe in on this. :)

www.toddblades.com

 

"Geometry says how sharp, steel says how long." - Roman Landes, Ashokan 2009

 

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

 

- George Orwell

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Bill Epps also did an article on how to make hawks from Railroad Spikes. You can find the article at anvilfire.com under the iforge section and the name is "Spike Axe" number 12. Best of luck on your project!

The ability to make good decisions is the result of eperience, which comes from making bad decisions.

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Most of the hawks I have made for hunters around here have been from 1" round or square bar. They want them lighter then a hatchet but to do much of what they would use a hatchet for. Almost all of them use hawks for skinning and dressing game.

Everything I need to know I learned from the people trapped in my basement.

 

 

I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message.

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