Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders How to finish these 'hawks ?

Not muzzleloaders per se, but definitely from that neck of the woods....

Here they are, as purchased, actually usable as-is.



But what things are usually done re: the handle to achieve a finished-looking weapon?

Thanks,

Birdwatcher

Blood stains help...

Ed

personally i dont do anything with mine past putting an edge on them . the reason is that they are throwing hawks and are hand forged .so i leave them just as they are
if you use them for any time , the handles will begin to slide down into the head more ..
Chance are also great that your handles wont last long . Either your going to break them or someone else will break them for you with their hawk .

None of that stops them from being useful as a camp axe . Though for the most part they are alittle light for that type of work

But if your goal is to use them as a display type �what IF � gear , then you have the wrong type of hawk to start with . But you could shape the handles , do some inlays , stain them ��.

Already got that covered with respect to our moccassins, the buttons on our clothes, and our tarps...

...but I dunno if there's anything associated with these 'hawks that also requires me to pick up a needle and thread

Birdwatcher

Thanks for the info, these are mostly "users" and not for display.

Birdwatcher

Just split some fire wood, throw em' at a hawk block or two, lift a trap, and call that good.

watch patriot and last of the mohicans ...

You "could" wrap string around the wooden shafts & set fire to the string, then apply some stock finish over the "stains" for a less plain look.

Drill the lower end of the haft for a leather thong with or w/o feather(s).

.

if thats the case , then save yourself the time and leave them just as they are . If you use them as they are intended to be used , the handles will not last . Especially if you get into hawk throwing games .

If your just starting out , you will be hitting the handle on the ground a lot . After a while that causes a crack to form . Then it will start to split .
that�s when you get to decorate your handle . Most use Eel skins �black electrical tape � or silver snake � duct tape � .
Then after a while even that wont hold the handle together .

When you get into the hawk and knife games , the most common rule for score at events is steel on steel . That means you throw either your hawk or knife first . That has to be left in the target while you throw your next item . So a lot of times a person ends up taking chunks out of their handles with their knives . OR Robin Hooding the hawk handle with the knife . Which by the way , happens more times then you would think .
Also your going to be learning to throw not only full turn , but turn and � as well as longer distance , which sometimes means 2 turns . Again costing you handles

Another game often played is called handles . Basically it consists of a small target like a bottle cap or a cleaning patch , that�s placed on a hawk block . Each player pays a small fee to enter . Which then becomes the prize pot . Other times if drinking is involved , then a bottle of something , becomes the prize . The game continues tell someone cuts the target and thus wins
To win , you must cut the target and have your hawk stick in the block . BUT if you miss , your hawk stays where it falls and the next player throws .
How many players ???? Well the only set rule that I know of is that you need at least 2 .
I have thrown in contests with as high as 9 players ..
But normally if you enter into games with higher numbers of players , you better have a ready supply of handles available as they will get chopped up rather quick .
Most venders usually have a stock pile of different sizes and head angles at events and for the most part the larger handles only run 2-3 dollars

Myself I have both they hawks you have . The one on the left , I throw . Its paid for itself in prize money , time and time again . The one on the right my wife likes . She has done will with hers .

Now don�t get me wrong here . Im not trying to make it seem like your going to be going through 3 or 4 handles every time you go out . For that mater a handle every time you go out .
Sometimes you will at least at first ..
Right now in my hawk I have a handle that�s lasted me all year . Its highly decorated with silver snake and eel skins . Ist also split to the point that I can feel the handle flex when I throw it LOL .
It will most likely get used for fire wood here shortly at a blue butt event .

Anyway . Just have fun with your throwing hawks . don�t worry to much what the handles look like for a hawk handle life is short and dramatic

I wrapped mine with paracord and artificial sinew and I use it for deer hunting. It is for cutting through the sternum and pelvis in deer, and cutting down small brush for shooting lanes. It is WAY more efficient than just trying to use a knife, and doesn't really weigh much. The paracord gives a little bigger grip to hold, and would be good for emergencies. Plus it holds the head up near the top of the handle tight.