belt hawk

[Cadillac Forge]

finished this one today, 1080 and 15n20 low layer count damascus-the haft is an old hickory hammer handle.

[Matt Walker]

Nice Bruce. Did you put a bit in it? I have been on the ones I have made, but after a discussion with the guys that get them we decided that it's wasted effort. Because what I used for a bit (1084) was the same as the damascus. What do you think?
Matt

[Doug Lester]

That low count damascus look real nice in a hawk It looks the same period as the pepperbox. What wood did you use for the handle?

Mat, I think that you're right; welding a bit of steel between layers of steel that will take an edge on it's own is a waist of time and effort. The only time that I'd use that method is when the body of the blade is forged out of a low carbon steel or iron that won't harden, which is supposed to make a better ax/hatchet/'hawk from what I've read. As I understand it, back when iron was easy to come by and steel not so easy and expensive, that was pretty much the way one had to make ax/hatchet heads. BTW, I'm just itching to give it a try.

Doug Lester

[Cadillac Forge]

yes i put a bit in, that was the same steel as the body, i make my own damascus and dont feel like it is a waist i like the etched pattern in the top profile- if i was buying damascus i might feel diffrent- and agree with doug if you forge a hawk out of mild putting the high carbon steel bit enchances edge holding performance. i plan on making another tomorrow
with higher layer count. bb