Do you think railroad spikes are scraps? Using blacksmithing techniques, here is how you can put this material into creative use by forging a tomahawk from a railroad spike.
Tomahawks are axes that have a single blade with a long wooden handle. The tomahawk is native to the indigenous citizens of North America. It resembles a hatchet with a straight handle.
The tomahawk is useful to cut woods and do other menial jobs. It is also helpful in fighting. Some people think of the tomahawk as the weapon that gave birth the Vikings’ axe.
Forging the tomahawk is a very prestigious job in ancient times and has maintained its prestige till date. You can learn how to form a tomahawk using a railroad spike by following some steps. These steps include;
Essentials
To carry out this project, you will make use of different types of devices. Listed below are the tools to use when forging a tomahawk from railroad spikes.
Hammer
Instructions on How To Forge A Tomahawk From A Railroad Spike
Step 1: Get Your Materials in Place
The material you are to use for this is the railroad spike. You can make use of other pieces of metal, but this article is for making tomahawks using railroad spikes.
It would be best if you also got your tools ready as they are going to be very useful. It would be best if you get quite a several spikes as you might commit some errors in the process of forging.
Step 2: Have Your Design for Your Tomahawk Ready
To create your tomahawk from railroad spikes correctly, you have to create or get the design of your axe ready. This process will give you the insight into what you want to do, how big, or how thick you want your tomahawk to be.
Your design should be a beautiful and creative one. You can also have your wooden handle design ready.
Step 3: Heat the Spikes
After getting your designs ready, you should get right into business. The spikes should be heated in an open hearth or blast furnace. Heating the railroad spikes makes it malleable and easy to forge.
Note:
You should heat the spike to a very high temperature; the higher the temperature, the easier it is to beat into shapes.
Step 4: Forging Your Tomahawk
When the spike is red hot, you should beat the railroad spike into your desired shape. The shape you hit your railroad spike into depends on the design you have for your tomahawk’s blade. The most common model for a tomahawk’s edge has a flat but sharp part.
The other part of the blade is usually the place where the handle fits into or where it is attached to the handle.
You should beat a part of the spike into a flat, curve, and sharp edge. And the other part should be forged into the shape you want it to take depending on the type of handle you chose.
Step 5: Reheating the Blade
Quick Steps
After you have forged the blade into the desired shape:
- You should then reheat the edge to make it even.
- You should also beat the blade as you heat whenever there is an imbalance.
Reheating the blade also strengthens the edge and makes it more durable.
Step 6: Quench the Blade
Quenching the blade is very important because it comprises the factors that determine how durable a knife can be. The edge should be quenched in oil or water. You should dip the flattened part of the blade into the liquid steadily before dropping the whole stock.
This act will make the blade more durable. You should always remember that the faster you quench, the harder it can become.
Step 7: Treat the Blade and Reheat
You should know that reheating the blade and quenching over and over again strengthens the blade. It makes the blade more durable. It would be best if you also treated the edge because it also makes the blade more durable.
Step 8: Polish Your Blade
You should also polish your blade. Sharpen the edges with a file and grinder. It would be best if you made the blade look enticing and show your creativity.
Step 9: Attaching the Blade to the Handle
Once you have polished the blade, you should attach the blade to the handle. The handle can either be wooden or made of metal. Once you have connected the edge to the metal, you are good to go.
FAQs on How To Forge A Tomahawk From A Railroad Spike
Question
What are railroad spikes?
Railroad spike is also known as crampon or cut spike. They are broad types of nails that possess offset heads. They are used to hold rails together. It is also useful to secure base plates to railroad sleepers or ties in tracks.
They are instrumental because, without the railroad spikes, the rail won’t function well.
Question
Is it legal to own a railroad spike?
It is legal to own a railroad spike if you bought it. Once you paid for it and you have evidence of payment, then you have legally acquired it. Taking it from the government’s property is illegal.
If you also took it from someone without the person’s permission, it is considered illegal. Acquiring the railroad spikes the appropriate way makes you own it legally.
Question
What is the difference between an axe and a tomahawk?
The main difference between an axe and a tomahawk is that the blade of an axe fits into the handle. You insert the knife into the handle, while the grip of a tomahawk fits into the edge. You add the handle into the blade.
Another significant difference is that the handle of a tomahawk is usually longer than that of the axe.
Video
Precautions
- Always put on the appropriate type of clothing.
- You should always make use of the proper tools.
- Do not make use of damaged tools to reduce hazard chance.
- You should be careful when handling the hot blade so you won’t burn yourself.
- You should always follow safety instructions.
