New "Turn" Spike Tomahawk

[HickoryBill]

I just finished up this new Tomahawk. It's made from a "Turn" Railroad spike. Not everyone knows this but most Railroad spikes that were set in the track along a turn were made with hardened steel. The spike will have an "H" stamped either on the head or somewhere on the side near the head. The purpose of this, I'm told, was that the track, and especially the spike, was under the most stress when a train went around the turn. Thus the spike needed to be made from a steel that was hardened, with a higher carbon content. I've worked quite a few of these spikes and they seem to very from excellent steel to mediocre..Any way heres the Hawk. Handle is hickory..Thanks for lookin' Bill



Close up of the head. It was polished then "Browned" with Birchwood Casey plum brown for muzzleloaders

[osage outlaw]

That thing is awesome!

[HickoryBill]

Thanks Clint I'll prolly have it t the Classic...I wanna get used to wearing it on a daily basis. As it gonna be part of my daily gear for my Colorado Elk hunt this year.

[mullet]

Sweet, Bill. I'd like to see it also.

[swamp yeti]

That is a nice hawk Bill.

[stickbender]

     Wow! That is slicker than snot on a door knob!!


                                  Wayne

               

[nclonghunter]

Great looking hawk. Never heard that about the railroad spikes, thanks for the info.

[Stoker]

Nice looking hawk... That'll handle a elk
Thanks Leroy

[HickoryBill]

Thanks guys..I really enjoy blacksmithing

[JW_Halverson]

I admit, I immediately scrolled to the photo and was going to post a correction that this was technically a "polled" hawk, but then I read that it was made from a spike.  Then, and only then, did the light go on.  Dim, yes, but it was on!

If I had to chose only one, I would prefer to carry a well sharpened 'hawk in my belt in the woods than a knife.  But since I don't have to chose, I carry both!  Carry and use, pretty soon you will figure how it best rides and how to best draw on it's wonderful list of solutions to chores. 

[KHalverson]

how I missed this first go round I don't know.
very nice.
like how you drawn down the ears.
Kevin

[Aaron H]

Very cool,  Good information here

[Pat B]

Very nice hawk, Bill. I carried a spike hawk the last time I was in Colorado elk hunting.

[Trapper Rob]

Nice hawk.

[Peacebow_Coos]

Real nice craftsmanship there hickory bill