Hawk handles

[khwils]

Hi, I have a small hawk that I was going to present to my stepson. But I thought I would throw it a couple of times to "practice" before I showed him how to throw it. The first throw I stuck it good (just sharpened), the second toss I hit handle first which immediately broke the handle. It is a cheap hawk so it didn't surprise me but now I need a new handle. Do I use hickory or maple?? The handle is quite small, I doubt it is much over an inch in diameter. where can I find some wood locally and cheap? I went to Lowe's and Menards' but of course I didn't find anything - any ideas? THanks, Kurt

 

[paulvallandigham]

Use hickory. YOu probably will be better off in the long run by ordering hawk handles from one of the suppliers listed. I doubt you will find Hickory at your home improvement store that is good enough to be used as an axe handle. Remember, most of the lumber is Soft wood, and its kiln dried. If you can even find Hickory at the lumber yard, you want a piece that is air dried, and not put in the kiln. It tends to weaken the handles by destroying the cell walls in the wood. As much Hickory as we have growing wild here in Illinois, wait until winter, and cut a tree down, and cut it up into lengths to use for ramrods, tool handles, and hawk handles. ( You want the sap down before you cut hickory for handles. I learned that on an episode of the Woodwright shoppe. )

 

[George Holton]

Use hickory if you can get it, go cut a good sapling ,peel and dry. till he gets good you will make handles out of most anything, ash is good too. I ran five kids through throwing hawk. been there. very old Bob

 

[JamesG]

If you are good at carveing i found the replacement handle for the post hole diggers work for me .they are hickory find the one you like

 

[Turtle2]

Defiantely use hickory. I would suggest buying a handle from a hawk supplier (maybe even a couple extra for spares) and you'll be set.

-turtle-

 

[twotoescharlie]

dried privet hedge, much tougher than hickory.

TTC

 

[paulvallandigham]

Osage orange does not hold up as well as hickory.

 

[Old Salt]

I've made a hawk handles from baseball bats, old shovel handles and broken ax handles. You might find them at a garage sale. Bats are made of ash, the shovel is hickory. I can't say about the ax handle.

Old Salt

 

[flintlockmdj]

I'd use "Dixie Gun Works" mouse hawk handle.

 

[wetpowder]

All the ax handles I've seen say "made in China" :rotf:

Ax handle made form a baseball bat....If you can't throw it you can always swing it :rotf: