Post by: Longhunter on December 20, 2012, 10:37:40 PM
I ended up loosing it, or I should say leaving it over 30 years ago at an over night camp site along the north shore of Lake Superior on the Canadian Provincial Park. This is a remote section that runs for many miles along the Lake. I've wondered over the years if anyone ever found it and wondered if it had been left by some early French Voyager...
Anyway, I'm going to make some of these hawks/axe's and add them to my web site, I think they're cool.
Here's some history on the origin of the Francisca.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisca)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small55680729.JPG)
Post by: Riley/MN on December 20, 2012, 10:49:59 PM
Post by: Fletcher on December 21, 2012, 12:48:02 AM
the French fighting axe and several styles of hand axes and hawks were displayed. They are
considerably heavier and weight forward compared to the Rondy styles of today. I have a
number of hawks that have a 'J3' stamped on them that I like the balance most of all.
If one knows the principals of throwing, you can learn the balance and rotation of any hawk or ax.
In our business, historically correct also has it's merit and satisfaction.
Hope to see your post to your site when these are available.
Post by: Longhunter on December 21, 2012, 10:22:34 PM
Post by: Roaddog on December 22, 2012, 05:56:58 AM
Post by: pathfinder on December 22, 2012, 06:13:04 AM
Post by: Longhunter on December 22, 2012, 08:39:07 AM
Those Fransicans knew what they were doin when they designed this hawk...
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small75925447.JPG)
Post by: Riley/MN on December 22, 2012, 09:36:07 AM
Post by: pathfinder on December 22, 2012, 12:09:32 PM
Post by: Fletcher on December 22, 2012, 12:13:10 PM
Are they ready to order yet Ron?
Post by: Voyageur on December 22, 2012, 03:48:05 PM
Post by: lonehunter on December 22, 2012, 05:07:21 PM
Post by: rickevans on December 22, 2012, 06:15:32 PM
Post by: Longhunter on December 22, 2012, 07:27:29 PM
Quote
Are they ready to order yet Ron?
We're shooting for the first of the year.
Quote
Yeah,gonna hafta git one. Too bad I can only git to Potterville on Sunday's!
Someone needs to invent little phones we could carry around...or some kinda way to send messages through cyberspace.... :lt th
Post by: Longhunter on December 22, 2012, 07:40:26 PM
Quote
The LaClair Francisca throwing ax
Long ago in Europe, the Franks (forerunners of the modern-day French) developed a throwing ax for use in battle against their enemies. The Roman’s called it a Francisca because of its Frankish origins, and during the period of 400 A.D. through 800 A.D. it was used with profound effect during a variety of wars.
The Franks discovered that their weapon of choice had an amazing characteristic they had not initially counted on; it bounced when it hit the ground, and when it bounced, it became erratic flying over the heads of some marauders while striking others in the feet and legs. The true effectiveness of the Francisca lay not in its ability to strike enemies blade first, but rather to cause disruption and chaos on the battlefield. Prior to the advent of gunpowder, the Francisca did this better than any other implement of war.
Today, Franciscas are no longer used in battle, but they have found new life in hawk and ax throwing competitions. The LaClair Francisca has the graceful lines of the originals, making it an ideal choice for the competitor who wants an historically accurate representation of a throwing ax but also one that will allow them to successfully compete in today’s demanding contests.
Of all the original Franciscas that have been found, the average weighed about a pound and a half and had a 4†cutting edge with a 16-18†handle. The LaClair Francisca is very close to these average measurements. Our ax has a rudimentary hammer poll on the back of the head to give it better balance and added usability. The body of the ax is made of mild steel, but the hardened and tempered cutting edge is made of W-1, water-hardening drill rod.
In the tradition of our other axes, it will take and hold a fine edge, although it should be remembered that an ax is a chopping implement rather than a slicing one. A razor sharp edge on an ax is counter-productive to its intended use.
Post by: rickevans on December 26, 2012, 11:39:32 PM
Post by: Forager on January 20, 2013, 04:11:28 PM
Ron, when does it come on-line for availability and what is it going to run.
Post by: Longhunter on February 05, 2013, 10:05:43 PM
http://www.shrewbows.com/Francisca/index.html (http://www.shrewbows.com/Francisca/index.html)
Post by: pathfinder on February 06, 2013, 02:24:20 AM
I've wanted this Hawk fromthe first time you showed it Ron! Really nice and thanks for offering it!
Will youbring some to K-Zoo. I have a table next to the TMA table so we can sell/trade while we are there.
Post by: Longhunter on February 06, 2013, 08:27:27 AM
Post by: rickevans on February 06, 2013, 08:29:50 AM
Post by: Uncle Russ on February 06, 2013, 07:15:50 PM
Quote from: "Longhunter"
A little later than I said but here it is.
http://www.shrewbows.com/Francisca/index.html (http://www.shrewbows.com/Francisca/index.html)
Now that plumb shines Ron...what possessed you to go that route?
I don't know "squat" about hawks' in general, one throwing hawk looks much like the other to the unwashed and unclean, still yet, I just can't help but wonder.
One would think that if a particular make / model / length / weight was actually better than the rest, then that's what every body would rush to....actually, I suspect that's more of a question than a statement.
Anyway, I think it's absolutely wonderful that you could dig through the ashes of the old and come up with a marketable product for today.
True ingenuity, IMHO.
Uncle Russ...
Post by: pathfinder on February 06, 2013, 09:25:50 PM
Ron,will you be around on Monday? In case my travels take me near your place. No promises.
Post by: Forager on February 08, 2013, 11:03:15 AM
Post by: No Rod on February 09, 2013, 12:22:11 PM
Quote from: "rickevans"
Bring a couple....you know, just in case.
really, just in case!
Post by: Fletcher on February 09, 2013, 09:11:07 PM
No 'shopping cart' ?
Can I get a couple extra handles with the hawk? It is a long ways for your house to pick up a spare.
I suppose I could fashion a spare out of some scrap Hickory, Yew or Osage.
Post by: Longhunter on February 12, 2013, 09:55:17 PM
Post by: Longhunter on February 18, 2013, 02:53:34 PM