Throwing hawks

Any of you oldtimers heard of "Cricket" Hulvey?

I believe some of the hawk matches on the Friendship Primitive range were named after him.

His hawks were not HC, but they must have been good to throw. Thirty-five years ago, I visited with him at his home in Normal, IL. He told me he made them from old Disc blades (from farm machinery for you city folks). He sold them for $15 each at the time. I still have mine in like new condition.
Steve Hefner

After reading your post I Googled Cricket Hulvey! Here is what came up!

A post from Primitive Archer about him: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?
topic=14331.0

Also found this! RIP https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=147952873

Thanks,
My father is buried in the same cemetery.

tenngun said:

Well I only played handles with people playing handles, we knew the game before the first throw.
That said, ignoring the jerk that would throw at your handle when that was not the game, unless you throw and remove, handles get hit. A fancy handle still gets a lot of shock being tossed at a block, or even chopping wood or splitting kindeling. Lastly if you chop like me you miss the target your splitting and hit the handle just behind the eye.

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Never heard of playing handles when I was a kid & never had a hawk of my own. Older gent, looked like a full-sized version of Alex Karras, let me use his while he went to sit on the bench & light up his pipe. I tossed a few, then some showoff jacka$$ pushed up & told me "This is how its' done" and proceeded to split the big guys' hawk handle. The big guy strolled up & told the jacka$$ it was HIS hawk he just wrecked & you don't just go and throw a game until you've already announced the rules. He proceeded to wear his fists out on Mr. Jacka$$, then told him he was gonna keep his hawk (nice looking one) as compensation. The jerk got off with Racoon eyes, split lip, puffed up ears and bruised ribs.

A simple lesson in how simple courtesy is a lot less painful than being a showoff - words I've never forgotten to live by.

Hefner said:

Any of you oldtimers heard of "Cricket" Hulvey?

I believe some of the hawk matches on the Friendship Primitive range were named after him.

His hawks were not HC, but they must have been good to throw. Thirty-five years ago, I visited with him at his home in Normal, IL. He told me he made them from old Disc blades (from farm machinery for you city folks). He sold them for $15 each at the time. I still have mine in like new condition.
Steve Hefner

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Yes, we knew Cricket. He could perform wonders with a throwing hawk and was unselfish at teaching others. He loved and was loved by children. I will always remember how kind he was to my sons.

Sorry the pic didn't post. Photobucket fails us again.

If you are looking for a full size hawk that is still very light weight, try a Beaver Bill hawk.

Beaver Bill Throwing Hawks

I had the privilege of throwing a couple that belonged to a friend and won a competition with it. I still need to purchase one of my own. They are light weight and excellent to throw!

You're only allowed a 4" bit for most competitions.

Dane said:

You're only allowed a 4" bit for most competitions.

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Yes. But most of those BB hawks were listed at 3 3/4" to 4". For most competitions a 4" is needed to completely cut a playing card in half lengthways. That is a very common target. Anything under 4" could never win. The old standby H&B meets the requirements and is as good a currently made hawk as one is going to fine. OTOH, I have a hawk I bought at ronny very reasonably. Like it for looks and handling. Not until later :redface: I discovered in tiny letters "PAKISTAN". I know it is cast but serves me OK. I filed off the offending word.