Hawk Questions

[LYONEL]

Hi guys, I have a few questions on hawks.
1/ what is considered the best type of steel to look for when purchasing a couple of Hawks.
2/ who makes a kid size hawk for throwing?

[Lin Rhea]

I prefer a forged high carbon hawk whether the whole head is high carbon or only the bit. There are several HC steels that can be used. 10XX series steels are great as well as some tool steels that are forgeable. The heat treat and geometry is key to a good hawk.

Actually the steel is a relatively small part of the over all worth of a hawk or any tool. For example, if the above qualifications were spot on and yet the handle was not shaped correctly or, heaven forbid, loose on the haft, the other good qualities are null and void.

[tomsm44]

Check with Ben Tendick on here.  His aren't very traditional, but they are great looking hawks nonetheless.  He uses 4140 if memory serves me.  It's on the low end of the scale for a cutting tool as far as carbon content, but he said they've held up well for him.  

Matt

[LYONEL]

Thanks for your help guy's, prices & quality seem to vary a lot from the home work I've done. I have seen some use a cast 4140 steel, is the casting process suitable for a hawk?