Which hawk?

I am not one to have a lot of one thing but I like to get one thing and make it the best I can with Gods help.

I have two hawks. First let me say That I believe that hawks would have been an eastern thing as I know they were making good axe's back then and I believe a mountain man would have bought a good axe with him on his pack hourse and not a hawk but....

I have two hawks and I only want to fix up and carry one with me to shoots and rendezvous. Which would you make your personal hawk for all that needs to be done. Also what kind are they?

Here are pictures from the interweb, they are close copies of what I actually have.

One is like this.



And the other is like this.




Where can I get some curly maple handles at?

Is your persona English or French?

BJC said:

First let me say That I believe that hawks would have been an eastern thing as I know they were making good axe's back then,,,

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Dude, the Ax and half-ax along with wire, knives and pots where among the first trade goods brought here. (think early to mid 17th century)
And the ax/hatchet/tomahawk was in the Rocky Mountains long before the "mountain man" period.
With that said, leave the french one at home.
Handles; http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/473/1/HANDLE-STD-M

Claude said:

Is your persona English or French?

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I don't have a persona. What do you recommend?

necchi said:

With that said, leave the french one at home.

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Which one is the French one?

necchi said:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/473/1/HANDLE-STD-M

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Thanks for the link, I will order it tomorrow.

:haha: Wow,
I remember being green,
With respect, I enjoy your enthusiasm, but you really could do a little of research to help you get an idea what this stuff is about.
I'll give ya credit, you do have a pretty active imagination,, temper that with a little knowledge and you'll go far. :v

The Bottom one is the Francisca and is late 18th century, more of a battle ax and too expensive to make for common trade.
And they have a way goofy balance too'm to be handy around camp.

necchi said:

:haha: Wow,
I remember being green,
With respect, I enjoy your enthusiasm, but you really could do a little of research to help you get an idea what this stuff is about.
I'll give ya credit, you do have a pretty active imagination,, temper that with a little knowledge and you'll go far. :v

The Bottom one is the Francisca and is late 18th century, more of a battle ax and too expensive to make for common trade.
And they have a way goofy balance too'm to be handy around camp.

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With much respect neechi is absolutely right. It seems you are pulling in a direction with no direction... there is a wealth of information available here, and on the web just awaiting!

Learn and research before you buy, it'll save you much in funds and frustration. :thumbsup:

To add, the first is a common throwing hawk with a generalized bit pattern, it'll be fine for camp functions.

For a persona, what do you want to be? What style or group do you find interesting? Do you have any lineage or ancestors associated with the period you want to portray? Example, for me I have Native American ancestry, only fitting my persona reflects that heritage. Your persona is all about YOU. You mentioned mountain men, if that fits you learn all you can and have a blast doing it!
:thumbsup:

BJC said:

Claude said:

Is your persona English or French?

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I don't have a persona. What do you recommend?

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That's something you'll need to decide after studying the time period. I suggest narrowing the date to a single decade.

I mean this with the upmost respect, but without some sense of who you want to portray, there's no point in buying anything yet.

You don't to get half way into portraying one thing and decide to be another and have wasted a lot of money on gear. Go slow.

I always thought the French and Spanish were the first to set foot in the Rockies other than those that were already living there.... :hmm:

No, I think John Denver was... Sorry so ff just had to do it!

Anywho, I was under that assumption as well. Yet, always inclined to learn something new!

I want a bigfoot persona. He was there first, right?

On a more serious note. I just want to do pre-1840 white American mountain man. One born in Missouri and who decided to see what was beyond all the flat land in front of him. A 20 year old kid (I am 47, I think) who in 1830 took off from home because milking cows and plowing fields was no longer appealing to him.

For now that is all I have.

I want to look like this but in a pre-1840 way.

Okay, you have a base... Now build from there! That involves researching that time period, details, tools, clothing, gear... all you can to construct a believable persona and one that brings respect to the individuals who lived the lifestyle. Nothing will kill the image more than a bad portrayal!

BJC said:

pre-1840 white American mountain man. One born in Missouri and who decided to see what was beyond all the flat land in front of him. A 20 year old kid,, who in 1830 took off,,

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Ok, Stop.
All across the board folks are giving you some hints,,
Your kinda stuck in dream land,, and it can be, but it's much more fun with a little actual none Hollywood information.
Read this; http://user.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/html/ruslintr.html

And I gonna throw spit balls at you, met in a good way however. Your 47. There were old guys in the mts. Most of the boys were in thier 20s. We recall Carson, Meek,Bridger ect but from photos years after the MM period. By you 40s near 50s you would have looked for something more mature. Agent trading post factor or manager ect. You would have had a dollar or two in your purse. Your skins would be finer and taylored.
Being a man afield you would have been at the top of your profession. Again your clothing would be well made. Don't overlook cloth. Indian made stuff would be accents on your outfit instead of mainline.

Just another thought. I've been doing this over 40 years. Many of us have but none of us are experts. Look in to your time, work out a bio, do your own research. Some one will think your not right someone may argue, but a little research can make you as much of an expert on any one else. It's your outfit, it's your impression, and it's your own fun. You will learn adapt and change as you go along. That's the fun.

Where can I get some curly maple handles at?

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I don't know of a source. You might search out a local woodworker or make yer own.
But, the real question is "WHY?". Why do you want curly maple for a hawk handle? Hawk handles are subject to great stress in use. That is why hickory is the most popular wood for handles. Curly maple might be nice to look at but, I guranatee, first time used for chopping or throwing it will break.

Rifleman1776 said:

Where can I get some curly maple handles at?

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But, the real question is "WHY?". Why do you want curly maple for a hawk handle? Hawk handles are subject to great stress in use. That is why hickory is the most popular wood for handles. Curly maple might be nice to look at but, I guranatee, first time used for chopping or throwing it will break.

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I agree. People buy them for looks, but curly maple makes a poor handle.

Where can I get some curly maple handles at?

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Track, crazy crow, dunlap....just to name a few... :grin:

Maple for looks, hickory for real use... Just as the others have mentioned.