All your posts and pictures got me hooked! my first hawks and a camp axe

[Tim Ault]

Is been rather slow at work this past week so I started thinking and tinkering     I started with the camp axe, Head was made out of an old large axe head I found buried  in my garden 11 years ago How old it is I have no idea . I cut off a piece of the blade and welded it onto a pipe and installed the handle . 
    The two hawks I made up yesterday on the water jet from .250 plate  ,again welded to piece of pipe and pounded in the handles , The steel was mild but i heated and oil quenched so that should help it some . I really had no idea what size to make the head so I just drew something up that looked good to my eye atleast   Its 4.5 long from front of handle  cutting edge is little over 3 and 2 " where its welded to the pipe.  Is this over all too short or long or

BTW, thanks for again leading me down another slippery slope of primitive tools and weaponry 

[hotfxr]

Those look good. How do they throw?

[Tim Ault]

Thanks , I have no idea :)   Never threw one in my life but will give it a go this weekend hopefully .

[hotfxr]

How are the heads attached? If you are planning to throw them, you need to have the handle tapered out at the top with the handle inserted from the top of the head and pounded down. It they are attached like an axe or hatchet with the handle inserted from the bottom and using a wedge to hold it in place, it will only last a few throws before the head comes flying off. Here is a picture of a couple of hawks (Only for throwing, they are made from mild 3/16" steel) I made last week that kinda shows how the handles fit.




Throwing these is more fun than should legally be allowed. By the way, I am jealous of the fact you have access to a water jet. It costs me about $8 apiece to have these blades cut out on a water jet from a local steel company.

[Tim Ault]

The camp axe is pounded down from the top but the hawks are pounded with much force from the bottom as it's the only handle material I had on hand and it's pinned in place from the back of the pipe. When it breaks I will replace with a tapered handle . About how far away is the normal throwing distance for these ?

  Yes having a water jet is pretty handy for projects like this :) took me about 15 min to program and 2.5 minutes of actual cutting time for each blade .


Tim

[hotfxr]

Standard AKTA (American Knife Throwing Association) distance for tomahawks is 13 ft. And believe me, it is all about the distance. I have been throwing at 13' and 25' and hit the round almost half the time, on a good day, if the wind doesn't blow too hard.

[DandJofAZ]

Guess we all are starting out. Just tried throwing with  grandson at NMLRA winter national...had fun with what we had...now have 2 new hawks just recieved from Atlantic Cutlery  +two knives on back order...had great reason to buy  two of each..grandsons birthday is next month. He just can't  throw alone so I too get new stuff// grandkids are great excuseds to buy new toys..

Doug

[Tim Ault]

Finally got to throw or attempt to throw my hawk last night :) and you are correct distace is everything . I got it to stick about 3 outa 10 times but how the heck do you aim those things ! Lol. Left and right was pretty good but elevation was allllll over the place . Lots of fun none the less and will be practicing more if I ever wanna actually hit what I'm aiming at .

Tim

[Dogshirt]

Much like throwing darts, a consistent release point is the key. It will come with practice, and then more practice. Work on sticking it every time, then on aim. It will come with time. I throw for 15-30 most days. Also you will find different ways to hold for other distances. Hold the blade backwards and you can back up about 6 feet and the hawk will stick with the handle pointing up.

[pilgrim]

                                               

[Tim Ault]

Much like throwing darts, a consistent release point is the key. It will come with practice, and then more practice. Work on sticking it every time, then on aim. It will come with time. I throw for 15-30 most days. Also you will find different ways to hold for other distances. Hold the blade backwards and you can back up about 6 feet and the hawk will stick with the handle pointing up.

.  Gotcha :)   Now will a heavier or lighter hawk require at adjustment in distance to target ? Same with handle length ? Or is the spin of it a constant ?

[Dogshirt]

I'm going to say pretty much constant. I throw a full size hawk and the wife throws a "mouse hawk" but we throw from the same line.
Now a knife can be a bit pickier, but mine throws from the spot as my hawk, Maggie has to take 1 step closer for hers.