Hammer forge hawk head!,or FORGET GET ABOUT IT??

[whocares]

HOLY CRAP! I DID IT!

Well, I annealed it at least once now, just now!

The fans thing was a bad idea, I claim ignorance on this from the word go. The forced air from bottom proved a game changer and I wouldnt have thought of it on my own.

I constructed my forge, which looks more like a meth lab youd see on the news and I proceeded to revoke the magnetic status of my hatchet soon to be tomahawk head, YEAH BOYY!

And first time no sticky

 

[whocares]

So when its in an annealed state I can begin manipulating form?

 

[PapaScout]

Yes. Steel is a crystalline structure and this structure changes with temperature. Certain structures are harder (based on carbon content) than others. You're trying to soften this hammer head so it's easier to beat into the shape you want.

I would heat past where you had it during the annealing process to a glowing orange, transfer to anvil, shape, back to the fire to glowing orange and repeat.

 

[Lagrange]

What kind of hammer are you planning to use? I hope your arms are good and strong.

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Very creative setup on that forge!

"And first time no sticky"

I remember the first time I had a piece of steel do that. It was pretty cool.

 

[billyboyr6]

Forging is a dying trade and I personally love doing it. And I really like to see new people getting into it. Be extra careful not to distort the handle hole though. It will be a pain to fix later.

 

[DaKruiser]

Forging is a dying trade and I personally love doing it. And I really like to see new people getting into it. Be extra careful not to distort the handle hole though. It will be a pain to fix later.

I would intentionally distort it, make it a true tomahawk with a free handle. A drift is the easiest way but it can be done on a anvil horn or similar.

Cool project you have going there whocares, I have a couple ball peen hammers I've been wanting to forge into hawks.