Pipe Hawk

[Martyn]

I have the Trail Hawk and I am enjoying it, alot more fun too!

A couple of questions for those in the know or have already modded theirs,

What is the best way of stripping the paint from the head?

I used Nitromors. Quick and easy.

What is the best way of re-profiling the edge?

I did mine on the slack portion of my belt sander, but that is probably not an option for most. I would think using sandpaper on a leather backing pad would probably be the best way of doing it by hand. Creating lots of flats first, like a 50p and then smoothing it all out into a curve.

Also, could you explain the etching for rust protection please?

Thanks in advance

Marc

Yeah, the acid oxidises the surface of the steel and forms a thin barrier to further oxidation by creating a superficial layer of black iron oxide - it's a similar process to parkerizing or the bluing or browning of gun barrels. It's not a very effective barrier and needs oil to seal it, but it does stop that instant rusting you get on bare metal as soon as it's exposed to an electrolyte. You just dip the steel in an acid solution (I used ferric chloride but some use strong coffee, vinegar or mustard) untill it gets a grey-black layer, rinse with clean water, dry it and oil it and that's it. You can buy commercial treatments that do a better job and I think the pretty axe posted by Highbinder above, has been treated with plum brown barrel finish.

 

[marcelxl]

Thank you for taking time for such a thorough reply Martyn!


This I will be mostly pimping a Tomahawk!

 

[Martyn]

Welcome mate.

A little update on my hawk-pimping, I have finished the edge profile on my hawk and I'm very happy with it - in fact I have a nice clean slice on my index finger to prove how sharp it is. I took it outside and whacked hell out of a stump, it didnt roll, chip or din k so I'll call that good and leave it alone now. Sanded the handle a bit to get it nice and remove some of the marks caused by getting the head off the first time. I decided to add a collar - not sure what function they have, maybe an over-strike protector? I dunno, but the one on the other pic looked good so i thought I'd give it a go. I prolly should have done a sheath first - maybe could have avoided the blood if I had.

Anyway....

I'm pretty pleased with that edge! It's mirror polished, but I cant seem to get a picture of it, it's like dark matter.

It's all raw at the moment, the leather has just been wetted to form it round the handle nice and will need a stain and some proper leather lace - just a bit of chainsaw starter cord in there for now. The handle will need a stain too and I might add a lanyard hole - dunno. Oh, and I need to make a sheath and belt hanger for it.