An itch I had to scratch......

[kbaknife]

I'll call it the "Hatch-ling" because it's not really quite a full grown-up Hatchet - yet.
I had been wanting to make a few hatchets for some time.
As well, I had been wanting to fulfill some Sterling Silver wire inlay as well, so this gave me the perfect canvas for both!
I left the head, which I forged out of my 1 inch square 5160, slightly unfinished by leaving some of the heat treating scale and scratches.
The haft is curyl maple - of course.
This head was fully hardened for use as a pounding instrument as well. The high temp back-draw should leave it just right.
I think it's perfect for a "pelvis popper" or a rib splitter if working on a large deer or maybe an Elk? A Moose?
My hat is off to those who make these frequently.
It challenged me from the get-go and offered me quite a mental exercise!

[prarieboy]

Karl everything that I have seen on this site made by you is great!     C-Ya Bob

[drewsbow]

very nice work              

[Kevin Evans]

As I said on one of your last posts."Challenges are Great"thats what makes all of us better craftsmen.
Great work!!!  

[Lin Rhea]

You're reaching out there Karl. That's a very good lookin hatchet. Do you mind telling us how you drifted the eye? Lin

[kbaknife]

Lin, I drilled two 1/2" holes about 1/4" apart. Filed out the web.
Then, heated the blade and drifted the opening even using a hawk drift. I drifted the top opening slightly larger than the bottom, so that when the haft was wedged, it could not go back down the hole!
Sitting next to you last year in Atlanta is what inspired me to do the inlay.
Thanks, Lin.

[Steve Nuckels]

OH BABY!  That is too cool!  I love everything about that!

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks for that explanation. I like everything about this hatchet. Lin

[vermonster13]

Very sweet

[imskippy]

It's awesome. I love everything about it aswell. Seams I need to get me a forge huh?  SKippy

[chiger]

You Da Man Karl.  

How many years you been kickin' around that ideal?  ;~)

Hawk looks great.  The front on and top view really shows what a master of steel you are.

And the wire looks great too!

Beautiful work!

[Chris Surtees]

       

[OconeeDan]

Karl, that thing needs some pine sap on it.  Send it my way and I'll make sure it is "christened"!
Seriously, nice hawk.  
Dan