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Posted by: amorton Apr 29 2013, 10:29 PM

So I had some leftover 4140 moly steel laying about and thought I would make myself a tomahawk. Going for the tactical sort of look. The steel is not ideal for a blade but with a heat treat it makes for very good tool steel and I figure it will do the job just fine for a home made job. I will Duracoat it once I have it ground down and going with some micarta handles. I cut the blank out with a metal cutting band saw from a piece of 6" x 20" x 3/8" plate.

Swizz, if your interested in a blank let me know I can cut your own design if you want, it just can't be any wider than 6"

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0814_zpsc75d5ffa.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0815_zps7ef83600.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0816_zps6fdf137b.jpg.html

Posted by: Dypheron Apr 30 2013, 08:54 AM

Very nice, what are you considering for a handle when you get to that stage?

Posted by: amorton Apr 30 2013, 09:33 AM

most likely be a set of Micarta handles but 550 cord is also a possibility

Posted by: swizz Apr 30 2013, 12:51 PM

Nice! What a fun project!!
You shouldn't need to heat treat this. What type of steel is that?
Typically axes and hawks are left soft for a reason. You don't want them to be brittle since they are for chopping and/or striking (not so much slicing). Sharp edge retention shouldn't be a high priority for this project. Maybe a light/minor HT but I wouldn't consider it a priority.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Also... check out this knifemakers forum. It is a tremendous resource: http://knifenetwork.com/forum/

Posted by: russau May 1 2013, 05:09 AM

4140 chrome molly steel.

Posted by: swizz May 1 2013, 08:21 AM

oh.... not sure how I missed that in his original post.
Anyway, have fun with it Andrew. I know you'll do well!

Posted by: amorton May 3 2013, 09:07 PM

So made a little progress today, Still need to hollow grind the blade then I will start work on the spike. I also need to thin down the handle a bit to get the weight right. It feels too heavy in the handle right now. I dont plan on bringing the blade to an edge until last so I can continue to handle it without cutting myself more than necessary.

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0828_zps2ea643e3.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0830_zps3bcffde2.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0835_zpseab57891.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/amorton-25rs/media/IMAG0831_zpsb75f42f7.jpg.html

Posted by: Caveman May 5 2013, 03:24 AM

Andrew, that is way cool. Looks great! Keep posting those pics. Can'wait to see the finished project when I get back. Again, way cool!

Posted by: Mrs.CP May 5 2013, 07:20 AM

It's looking good Andrew, cool project!