a forge, a lathe and buckskin. ahhh....hawks

Some hawks i did up.

The handles and collars are buckskin from some of my deer this year i brain-tanned. The handles are out of last years cut firewood, and they all started as rail road spikes.

The one on the left i did two years ago, and it has proved its worth many times over already dressing and finishing.

The other two i did this week.

thanks for looking!

Nice,
Here's some other Rail Road Spike hawks done by member cutshurt,
Just thought I'd share;





He's got a little different technique huh?
Yes those where rail-spikes.
Dig through here a little and see some other stuff too. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/dosearch.php?uid/15589/search_user/topic/

yes....those are very nice...very nice indeed..the main technique would be a more experienced hammer and polish grinding/file work.

seems you're always right there nech, waiting to add something to my forging posts that frankly, is not positive.

I've never claimed to be a professional blacksmith or begged your advice on my work.

i'm not sure what your deal is, or why you feel the need, but have at it.

maybe if you're ever by ny way you could come and show me how to work a hammer correctly.

With the utmost respect, I have to say that your hawks look like railroad spikes - very modern designs that slightly resemble historic tomahawks, but still obviously modern.

The fact that they look modern is not a bad thing, it's just that they are posted on a "traditional" web site, so they may not be received as well as some other designs. IMO

Well, I'm Sorry your posting on an open forum with something you seem proud of.
I'm sorry to hurt your feelings but those are rail spikes that have been kind of heated up and hit with a hammer a bunch.

They look like good practice.
And they look like you could continue practicing with those same pieces and actually turn them into something that looks like a hawk.

Do you expect all kinds of cudos about how great they look?

Well, they look like rail spikes that have been hit with a hammer a bunch, :idunno:

I supplied the photo's of Curts work to hopefully give you insperation, perhaps an idea about what you could do.

I'm not sure I could show you anything, but If I couldn't do better than that I'd not post pictures of'm, I'd toss'm back in the scrap pile and start over.

well I think they are neat, and you can see that your lathe skills improved when we look at the one made 2 years ago compared to the recent work

better than anything I could make

OK jack, i understand your point. i hadn't really considered design conflicts in this setting.

nech, fine. you didn't hurt my feelings, i just don't get your critical posts. Guess it didn't take when momma said, "if you can't say anything nice....don't say anything at all" If i asked for critiques i could get it.

i am proud of them. very actually. no apprenticeship, and made on a forge i created with charcoal i created. still less than 10 forge sessions. If this was a blade smithing forum i would understand your critique.

i imagine that you would rather use someone else's "correct" work, than be happy to use anything of your own design even if you are in still in the learning stage. that i do not get, or respect. im Good leaving our interactions here. if you want to respond go ahead, but i think we have stained it enough.

C L, thank you, i feel like i am improving. the lathe is a barn rescue from the seventies and im still getting it figured :}

Like water our skills seek their own level...Your hawks look primitive..Like a hawk might have looked years ago...You did better than I could so be proud of your work and in time your skill levels will improve...

Thanks rick, thats the plan! Ive got some nice high carbon steel waiting for me but rr spikes are as far as i go until i understand why the metal moved the way it did with each strike. Best

I think they are great, good work and always be proud of anything you do

I'm glad the critiques didn't run you off. :thumbsup: I've tried my hand at forging and found that I couldn't get good at it unless I was willing to spend a lot of time practicing. I wasn't.

So keep at it. Study some of the other craftsmen's work here and keep posting pics.

GW

Only thing I ever forged was a chisle I made in metal shop back in Jr High. (back when schools had money for shop classes) It took me 3 weeks and many failures to get a chisle that got me a passing grade.
I think mom still has it in her tool box.

Having done just that one bit of forging has given me a solid respect for the smith. It is hard work.

(I didn't read the whole thread so forgive me if what I'm posting is redundant.)
You made these from railroad spikes and state you have some high carbon steel waiting...
Just a hint. Try ball peen hammer heads. They make fabulous tommyhawks.

They look to me just like what would be made in the early days..Make as a tool,, not a look pretty, both of the posting have their respective place in the over all,so take each as you will/want and enjoy...
Snickers and orange juice for everyone!!!!

hey , the fact that you did them yourself is awesome.. i have a ghetto charcoal forge too , i have made some half a$$ed nails and and S hook or two. not museum quality ,but the ones in museums werent that artists first attempts.. i still havent split steel or forge an eye yet, so good job..thanks for sharing..

I like em', and would be proud to carry anyone of them. And just off the top of my head.......when were RR spikes invented?

Hey 91W:
Your hawks may not be PC/HC but I can appreciate your work and effort. They certainly are better than the majority of folks could do.

I have a friend who is an excellent smith and watching him make a knife or hawk is a work of art. I see how much of himself he puts in each piece and can a see you did the same.

Thanks for sharing and thanks again for your service.

Dan

Blacksmithing is a work of art all by itself. It takes ALOT of practice and hard work to get really good...I think what you've done is GREAT!, Especially with no apprenticeship.The neat thing about your hawks is what others have mentioned before, they're YOURS and you created them, so the only person who has to be happy with them is you! However by posting pictures you have subjected yourself to critique..whether you take it as positive or negative is up to you. I honestly think that some of the earlier posts were not meant to be of a negative manner..rather constructive instead. That being said, I have been kicking around the idea of making a forge..I believe you may have inspired me to finally get off my rear end and do it. Keep up the good work! And keep posting pics! :v

My .02 cents!
I don't believe nech was trying to be rude in his post, he just kinda came off that way, I believe he was attempting to offer constructive critiscm in his own special way!
And, - Lord Help me! - I find myself agreeing with Jack! slap: me!) this is a first for me and I'm not sure how to deal with it! but you did open yourself up for critique in a Traditional forum, so yeah, welcome aboard! :wink: :grin:
That said, I do like the metal work, nothing wrong with a railroad spike acting as the poll end of a hawk! I will admit that I personally don't care for the turning on your hafts, dunno just not up my alley I guess. :idunno:
I too have a buddy that does a bit of metal work, with a forge made from a hairdryer and a brake drum in his garage! just decided one day, he wanted to and did, I've sat and watched him work a few times and know that I really would just end up hurting myself if I ever tried anything of this nature!
keep up the good work, and don't let noone get ya down! :hatsoff:

Thankya gents and gal. I really do enjoy makin em. The turned hafts are more like a south America style knife handle. Way before muzzleloaders. They are not everyones cup of tea.....but the main reason i do it is........ wel.......cause i have a lathe and i want to learn it!

The forge is a classic brake drum hairdryer ghetto rig but it does pretty well.

Rr spikes came about same time as massive chinese immigration so far as i can recall without:: research.

Smithing is def a hard skill to learn from books but usablr tools are achieved quick. Making thm look good and seem effortless to make is years away (depending on your definition of look good. Thanks for the encouragement.

Open to critique is the internet i get that.

Ive not seen immediate posts of mastercraftsman work next to a beginners to show the difference in skill/ suggestions to scrap ur work before in a constructive way before. Interesting motivational technique.

Thanks for the comments!