Steel choices for a tomahawk.

[rodriguez7]

So, what I have going on, is I’m building a few tomahawks for some friends. I would like to use s7, but I also found a good price on 4142 steel. From what I can find, it’s basically 4140, just a tiny bump in carbon. But also oil hardening vs air hardening. If I went with 4142, what oil is recommended? I have parks 50 on hand, but I heard it’s a little fast. Thanks.

 

[Kentucky]

You forging or stock removal hawks?

 

[rodriguez7]

You forging or stock removal hawks?

These will be stock removal

 

[jdm61]

A few folks use 4140 for hawks. At least one guy from Europe uses 4340. We used to have a source for flat stock moly free L6, but no longer. A couple of big makers have switched to 80CrV2.

 

[ron_m80]

I went with 3/8ths 1075 from Aldo the first time. I'd not like to find out what it would be like to do it in "super steel" any time soon.

 

[rodriguez7]

A few folks use 4140 for hawks. At least one guy from Europe uses 4340. We used to have a source for flat stock moly free L6, but no longer. A couple of big makers have switched to 80CrV2.

I like the 4140. I know James helm switched to 80crv2. But I know that steel isn’t as tough as 4140 or s7! L6 would be awesome in 1/4 inch. I was also thinking 8670, but I can’t find it in the thickness I want.

 

[jdm61]

The thickest that I have seen 8670 is like .22. I think that James still uses 4140 for his hawks. He went to 80CrV2 for his knives. I was thinking of Winkler and RMJ.

I like the 4140. I know James helm switched to 80crv2. But I know that steel isn’t as tough as 4140 or s7! L6 would be awesome in 1/4 inch. I was also thinking 8670, but I can’t find it in the thickness I want.

 

[rodriguez7]

The thickest that I have seen 8670 is like .22. I think that James still uses 4140 for his hawks. He went to 80CrV2 for his knives. I was thinking of Winkler and RMJ.

Winkler changed to 80crv2, and I pm’d James the other night on Instagram, he said he’s switching to it too! And that’s correct on the 8670.

 

[jdm61]

It certainly reduces the types of steel that they have to stock. I was told that RMJ switched in order to get better edge retention.

Winkler changed to 80crv2, and I pm’d James the other night on Instagram, he said he’s switching to it too! And that’s correct on the 8670.

 

[rodriguez7]

It certainly reduces the types of steel that they have to stock. I was told that RMJ switched in order to get better edge retention.

Crazy, considering I would think they wanted raw toughness for a breaching hawk, rather then edge retention.

 

[jdm61]

Maybe, but a number of their hawks are't really what I would call a pure breaching tool. i am thinking of the Jenny Ren models and such.

Crazy, considering I would think they wanted raw toughness for a breaching hawk, rather then edge retention.

 

[rodriguez7]

Maybe, but a number of their hawks are't really what I would call a pure breaching tool. i am thinking of the Jenny Ren models and such.

That would make sense. I thought about trying that steel, but I haven’t had much luck with it.