I purchased two trail hawks, changed the head, removed some of the belly of the head, gave it a nice hooked shape. Filed about 1/4" off, gave it a nice slender hook. And did the same to the hammer head,only sligtly to about1/4"from the face. Should be sold like this. Looks and feels wicked! Did not loose any of the edge. But on second one gave it a flatter edge. Looks evil!
Thanks Fred. I've had this tomahawk for a couple of months. Just now getting around to working on it. I did a Trail Hawk previous so I did have some experience with the process.
It can be handy to drop the head in orientated right way round I found also yea one of the little pleasures of cold steel very afordable & bit of work makes it yours. some things make less sense for sure historical wise think its purley for manufacturing ease
It's just for transporting the hawks safely. So they don't slip of in a store and injure people. Cheaper to put it in box. But then some people don't know how to fix the head on , how they are supposed to be fitted
I like to heat a head at about 315 for 20 minutes or so, then do my bluing and do like you coats and 0000 sw. Heating seems to really bring out the bluing deeper and richer. Bevels look great too. nice work
Nice work! :) What are the differences between the CS Spike Hawk and Frontier Hawk. The spike-less Spike Hawk looks pretty similar to the Frontier Hawk ...
Nice project Jim. I like having a hammer type head rather than a spike. Winter is slow in leave Upper Michigan, 17f this morning and one to two inches of snow in our forecast. The robins are back, and I seen a sandhill crane fly over yesterday. No geese yet, maybe this week. Take care, Ossie
Interesting video. Thank you for uploading. What hawk has your preference, and what weight is in your opinion where you draw the linfe for a tomahawk. The Rifleman's hawk is too heavy to be a quick and maneuverable combat/tool. Well , in my opinion and strength..
Hey I'm wondering if the spike hawk feels better in the hand when using it as a knife. I have the frontier hawk but the spike hawk looks more ergonomic
@@rickycarrarini188 What do you want from your tomahawk. An alround tool or a weapon self defense tool first. A knife can be taken with you along with the hawk. I would not choose a hawk on the basis if it works well as a knife. It's a chopper first. And as a self defense tool , speed is important. Your Frontier Hawk is already excellent given the light weight. Trail Hawk is also a quick one. Then again, to answer your question, I can't see it, the spike hawk, doing better as a knife, more comfortable.
Verry nice! ordered one for a while ago, and has the same plans for it for a while, so it was cool to find your video.! I am really looking forward to getting started!
Been waiting to do this very thing and stumbled upon this video. Do you know if the sheath for frontier hawk fits the spike hawk blade, they look about the same?
No, I do not know for sure but if I remember correctly the Frontier blade is a little larger than the spike hawk so it should fit but may be a bit loose. I made mine, same as my axe sheath.
That turned out real nice. Sure made a difference with the mod's. Sweet 'lil chopper Thanks 4 sharing the DIY with us, Jim. Much appreciated. Happy Easter 2 U & Yours Happy Trails From The Maritimes In Canada ATB Terry " GOD BLESS "
Any idea how the hickory handle can be stained darker? I sanded the lacquer off, and used a dark walnut wood stain. But the stain didn't penetrate, and only got to some of the wood grain. Most of the handle remained quite pale. Any suggestions how I can stain it to a darker finish? Thanks.
I had the same problem as you can see from mine. My guess is that whatever Cold Stael puts on these handles penetrates fairly well into the wood. One thing you might try, which I didn't, is to scrape the finish off the handle with a regular wood scraper. That would remove more of the outer surface than sandpaper.
Would work better with a pole. Helps with balance, like a axe. And alot cheaper than buying a custom hak with pole. Some handles are sap wood some are heart wood. But the crap ones have both! Looks good now. Old world!
Why does everybody on UA-cam always take the spike off of the spike hawk?!?! I got the spike hawk because I wanted the spike on it! If you don't want a spike on your tomahawk, then don't buy the spike hawk. It makes no sense.
+Andrew Bouleris I wanted a hawk with a pole end for driving stakes and general pounding chores. I have a Trail hawk but it has a very short bit (cutting edge). The Rifleman is too heavy and way too big. The Pipe hawk isn’t bad but it’s still heaver than the Spike hawk, even before modifications and has a shorter bit. The spike hawk has the longer bit and is lighter in carry weight, that’s why I got this one. However in order to have a pole end, I had to modify it by cutting off the spike. I think this makes a good middle ground hawk for my purposes. Besides, it gave me something to do for the day… :-)
+Woodenarrows I understand, I can respect that. It's just that every time I look at mods to the spike hawk on the internet they're all cutting off the spike. It didn't seem to make sense to me. Thank you for the explanation. Now it makes sense.
+Woodenarrows I have a spike hawk I'm modding now. I got it because it looks just like the tomahawks that were carried by Roger's Rangers from the French& Indian war. I want to make it look older and more battle ready.
@@rosscurran5650 I understand that not everyone is willing to put in the effort when there other options out there that are already your taste. Fine to me.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I purchased two trail hawks, changed the head, removed some of the belly of the head, gave it a nice hooked shape. Filed about 1/4" off, gave it a nice slender hook. And did the same to the hammer head,only sligtly to about1/4"from the face. Should be sold like this. Looks and feels wicked! Did not loose any of the edge. But on second one gave it a flatter edge. Looks evil!
Well, you turned a nice looking tool into a nicer looking one. Good craftsmanship and a good eye to detail.
Thanks Fred. I've had this tomahawk for a couple of months. Just now getting around to working on it. I did a Trail Hawk previous so I did have some experience with the process.
Really like that...bit like a cross between the Frontier and Pipe hawk. And a good no-nonsense rundown of the basic mods...thanks for the video.
Thanks, I appreciate the comment...
The spike is a great tool for picking up and moving firewood.
I just wish Cold Steel would quit putting a set screw hole in the Hawk heads!
It can be handy to drop the head in orientated right way round I found also yea one of the little pleasures of cold steel very afordable & bit of work makes it yours.
some things make less sense for sure historical wise think its purley for manufacturing ease
It's just for transporting the hawks safely. So they don't slip of in a store and injure people. Cheaper to put it in box. But then some people don't know how to fix the head on , how they are supposed to be fitted
Hey pal ... nicely done ... took it from a so-so hawk to a very nice one! Thanks for sharing that.
Wow, that turned out nice. I have 3 cold steel hawks, trail, frontier, & pipe hawk, & 1 crkt nobo hawk.
I like to heat a head at about 315 for 20 minutes or so, then do my bluing and do like you coats and 0000 sw. Heating seems to really bring out the bluing deeper and richer. Bevels look great too. nice work
Nicely done!
Nice work! :)
What are the differences between the CS Spike Hawk and Frontier Hawk. The spike-less Spike Hawk looks pretty similar to the Frontier Hawk ...
Frontieer hawk is larger and heavier. I didn't want that large, hince the modified spike hawk
Really great job! It looks much better now.
Best mod video yet. Not too wild, just a nice looking tool.
Nice project Jim. I like having a hammer type head rather than a spike. Winter is slow in leave Upper Michigan, 17f this morning and one to two inches of snow in our forecast. The robins are back, and I seen a sandhill crane fly over yesterday. No geese yet, maybe this week. Take care, Ossie
Interesting video. Thank you for uploading.
What hawk has your preference, and what weight is in your opinion where you draw the linfe for a tomahawk.
The Rifleman's hawk is too heavy to be a quick and maneuverable combat/tool. Well , in my opinion and strength..
Hey I'm wondering if the spike hawk feels better in the hand when using it as a knife. I have the frontier hawk but the spike hawk looks more ergonomic
@@rickycarrarini188
What do you want from your tomahawk.
An alround tool or a weapon self defense tool first.
A knife can be taken with you along with the hawk.
I would not choose a hawk on the basis if it works well as a knife.
It's a chopper first. And as a self defense tool , speed is important. Your Frontier Hawk is already excellent given the light weight.
Trail Hawk is also a quick one.
Then again, to answer your question, I can't see it, the spike hawk, doing better as a knife, more comfortable.
Verry nice!
ordered one for a while ago, and has the same plans for it for a while, so it was cool to find your video.!
I am really looking forward to getting started!
Now it's a frontier hawk with a hammer on the back
You made that baby look soooo much better Jim :o) It looks awesome! I think the handle is cool myself :o)
That was a fantastic transformation. I learned a few things also. Man to I ever miss my workshop.
Thanks Jeep. Yes, nothing like having a few tools available :-) BTW, the tomahawk was purchased through Mike Bartons web store...
What type of Birchwood Casey Blue did you use? Nice job.
Perma Blue Liquid - Gun Blue for steel, touchup or complete reblue
Looks great thanks for posting 👍
Been waiting to do this very thing and stumbled upon this video. Do you know if the sheath for frontier hawk fits the spike hawk blade, they look about the same?
No, I do not know for sure but if I remember correctly the Frontier blade is a little larger than the spike hawk so it should fit but may be a bit loose. I made mine, same as my axe sheath.
why didnt you get some tomahawk with a hammer pol from cold-steel offerings?
That turned out real nice. Sure made a difference with the mod's. Sweet 'lil chopper
Thanks 4 sharing the DIY with us, Jim. Much appreciated. Happy Easter 2 U & Yours
Happy Trails From The Maritimes In Canada ATB Terry
" GOD BLESS "
Any idea how the hickory handle can be stained darker? I sanded the lacquer off, and used a dark walnut wood stain. But the stain didn't penetrate, and only got to some of the wood grain. Most of the handle remained quite pale. Any suggestions how I can stain it to a darker finish? Thanks.
I had the same problem as you can see from mine. My guess is that whatever Cold Stael puts on these handles penetrates fairly well into the wood. One thing you might try, which I didn't, is to scrape the finish off the handle with a regular wood scraper. That would remove more of the outer surface than sandpaper.
Terry burn it with a propain torch .
Would work better with a pole. Helps with balance, like a axe. And alot cheaper than buying a custom hak with pole. Some handles are sap wood some are heart wood. But the crap ones have both! Looks good now. Old world!
Why does everybody on UA-cam always take the spike off of the spike hawk?!?! I got the spike hawk because I wanted the spike on it! If you don't want a spike on your tomahawk, then don't buy the spike hawk. It makes no sense.
+Andrew Bouleris I wanted a hawk with a pole end for driving stakes and general pounding chores. I have a Trail hawk but it has a very short bit (cutting edge). The Rifleman is too heavy and way too big. The Pipe hawk isn’t bad but it’s still heaver than the Spike hawk, even before modifications and has a shorter bit. The spike hawk has the longer bit and is lighter in carry weight, that’s why I got this one. However in order to have a pole end, I had to modify it by cutting off the spike. I think this makes a good middle ground hawk for my purposes. Besides, it gave me something to do for the day… :-)
+Woodenarrows I understand, I can respect that. It's just that every time I look at mods to the spike hawk on the internet they're all cutting off the spike. It didn't seem to make sense to me. Thank you for the explanation. Now it makes sense.
+Woodenarrows I have a spike hawk I'm modding now. I got it because it looks just like the tomahawks that were carried by Roger's Rangers from the French& Indian war. I want to make it look older and more battle ready.
+Woodenarrows should have got the riflemans hawk
+Andrew Bouleris i know right
Nice work.
Thank you
Why get a SPIKE hawk just to remove it? Just get the trail hawk instead
Or the Frontier Hawk, though it hasnt'got the square hammer poll.
I think it is a fun project to make it, that's why he did it.
@@Ve-suvius guess I'm just lazy tbf 😂
@@rosscurran5650
I understand that not everyone is willing to put in the effort when there other options out there that are already your taste.
Fine to me.
Nice work it turned out nice. By the way where did you find that tomahawk?
Through a fellow bushcrafter's Amazon store: astore.amazon.com/bushcraftbartons.com-20/detail/B0030DBHHO Here's the com site:bushcraftbartons.com/
how long i have to wait when i soak with paint remover?
Just a few minutes, till the paint starts bubbling up and falling off.
@@Woodenarrows thank you
now looks better
First rate job Jim, not only does it look a whole lot better it should be far more useful.
Thanks for sharing, ,,and I subscribed
Great job! Subbed!😁
Perfecto
Nice.
cool ..I need a tomahawk!!
Nooooo you cut the spike off 😵 and the video was going so well. Why didn't you just buy the frontier hawk and save yourself a few coins???
I reckon I would have just bought a different axe
ronda lett.elbasztad
кто русский ?