Cold Steel Frontier Hawk

[rci2950]

I am thinking about darkening the handle on this and would also like to get rid of the "Taiwan" that is etched into the blade. I would like to give it that old time look to match my flintlock musket arrangement when i am in that mode. Anyone got any advice on how to proceed?

[Schuetzenman]

Well for the handle, Feibing's Leather Dyes actually do a nice job of being wood stains. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_976p5k47sb_p Not that I'm suggesting buying from Amazon but it was the first link that came up for the product. Boiled Linseed Oil heated up very hot and then dip the handle in and it should soak in really well.

On the Tomahawk head, I suspect it is cast, not forged. If it is a forging you could take a Ball Peen Hammer, the ball end to it. That would add a dimpling if you beat it all over and give it a hammer forged look. If it is cast and you do this, you risk shattering the head. The peening should help to obliterate the Taiwan markings.

[Richard Simmons]

The head is drop forged.

[FunkyPertwee]

I've seen the heads of these polished before. It looked better that way than being black.

[cevulirn]

Fully polishing the head is a pain, but the paint comes off easy with a good paint stripper, and fitting and staining the handle is probably the first thing I'd do to one.

*edit* This is what I did to my Spike Hawk:

[Richard Simmons]

I saw a youtube video where a guy took his hawk and stripped the head then used gun blue on it. He charred the haft and did some woodburned designs then put a finish on it. Looked fairly rustic.