Forged my first tomahawk and had to eat my words about the 5160 steel

I always thought 1095 was the only real choice for anything that hits hard, like a tomahawk or a camp axe. Then I read a breakdown from the guy at New England Blacksmiths who tested 5160 against 1095 on a cross-section and found 5160 handles shock way better without chipping. I tried it myself on a 2 inch hickory target and the head held up perfectly after 50 swings. Has anyone else switched steels for a specific tool and found a new favorite?

2 comments

2 Comments

martin.jamie1mo ago

Hold up, 50 swings on one target is enough to call it a new favorite? I've seen plenty of heads chip on the 51st swing. I'd want to see how that 5160 holds up after a couple hundred swings into dirty, knotted wood before I abandon 1095 completely.

the_robin1mo ago

Yeah but 50 swings tells you if the geometry sucks, heat treat problems show up way later.