Trappers Hawk

[Lin Rhea]

Lowell,
        Yes, it will rust quick. I got my surface grit the way I wanted and degreased it, then I sprayed the surface with an acrylic spray. This will postpone the rust till it wears through, but I've been leaving it in the sheath, just checking it to see what it's effect will be. So far, it looks like new. I know that chopping will wear it through quick, but this can be cleaned up and refreshed pretty easy though. This is an experiment that so far is working very well. Otherwise I would use wax like you mentioned. Lin

[Steve O]

Lin,

I e-mailed last week, something must have messed up.  Could you pm me the info please.

[Ray Hammond]

Lin,

I might be the only one that wants to understand better what you mean by " the head is mild steel with a 1084 bit welded in" means?

Could you elaborate on that?

[Lin Rhea]

Ray,
     The head is 1018 (mild steel, low carbon if you will), but I split evenly along the edge creating two flaps that are opened to hold the high carbon "bit" that will eventually take the hardening and draw back. The high carbon bit is inserted and the blade is heated to low red, tapped to close it together, brushed, fluxed and brought to welding heat. Then it is hammered together and forged to the refined shape and treated as if the whole head is high carbon, but the only part that hardens is the edge.
         I am happy with the weld, you cant even see it, unless you have the right light. Lin

[Steve O]

You weren't the only one...that was in my original note to Lin.  Thanks.

[James Oertel]

lin  your are the man.  outstanding craftsmanship     !!!