Ive tried to keep it as primitive and natural as possible. It took some hammering to get the head flat on thisbut was fun to make. I differentially quenched the edge and the hammer which left the middle hot,i then placed it on my anvil to cool so the heat ran into the edge and hammer and self tempered which worked out well. I hand forged it and only used a grinder to take off a couple of bumps and i used the belt sander to finish the bevel and hammer. I carved the shaft out of Ash by hand,fire hardened the wood and then treated it with linseed oil. I wrapped the handle with wet jute and then let it dry which tightens it up,i then waxed the jute with pure bees wax,i sealed both ends of the jute using pine pitch. I hand drilled a lanyard hole and inserted the brass tube without using any glue,i added a plaited lanyard of waxed Jute. The cutting edge is 2" and the lenth of the hawk is 15" with the shaft. Before. got the forge set up and fired up. The hawk is taking shape. qunched,tempered and the edge finished. handle finished. I added a hammer instead of a spike as i feel this will be more usefull. pine pitch.
Nothing to tell really,you just turn the wood over a flame and where ever there is a curve hold it longer over the flame and it should straighten it out and you get nice burn marks. You can also do the same to harden the points of tent pegs and use fire to straighten arrow shafts. Also the pattern on Kali sticks is not just for aesthetic reasons its to straighten the rattan stick.
With that ax, I'd leave my feathered head-dress at the house and go off searching for a Viking to clout between the horns. Mad Max aside, pretty neat little project.
I also gave it a test run yesterday. splitting wood. It made short work of breaking down this willow log. Feather sticks. striking a flint,i got more sparks than in this picture but it was hard to catch them on photo. Striking a ferro rod,i got some mad sparks here.
Hey Sticks, How long did the project take for the head only? I have a couple of these old pick heads and would like to experiment. Am I crazy to try? I have no experience but I know how to work. Thanks
it took about an hour to make the head. No your not crazy to try at all,if you don't try you don't succeed. Good look and PM me if you need any advise Bro.