Estwing hatchet

its a hatchet, not a 12th century katana.........hit it with a wire brush and put it back to use.

Potions that contain phosphoric acid will remove the rust. Navel Jelly is a weak but ubiquitously available flavor. Dupont makes some better stuff, available in automotive paint stores. Be careful and keep it away from the handle.
........or take M-Camrons advice and say it's patina

Evapo-rust works good, is safe and re-usable

found it at an auto parts store

Dan

Walk it into a wire wheel...

... hit it with some bar-b-que paint and oil up the sheath.

Return to storage and sleep well.

Estwings are some of my favorites, especially with stacked leather handles. I can't stand going to grab a hatchet and finding the head loose!


Todd.

Wire cup wheel on an angle grinder to remove rust, sharpen with a file, oil it or paint it, throw it back in the truck.

All of the suggestions will work. You can also soak the head in vinegar overnight and it will take off the rust.

I would suggest treating the interior and exterior of the leather sheath with Ballistol, as part of your problem is having the steel in contact with leather which will hold moisture.

Soaking the leather with Ballistol will help keep the hatchet rust-free.

There is only one way to restore the original high shine Eastwing finish.
And it isn't with chemicals.

The best of them will leave a dull etched finish, but the rust will be gone.

The only way to restore it back to original polish is with a buffing wheel and probably 240 grade buffing compound.

rc

I've got the 26" Estwing Camper's Axe and I love it. I used it along with a Gerber Gator machete to clear brush and mulberry trees, used the axe on the thicker stuff, including chopping the roots.

I can't even get all the dirt out of my axe, and I scrubbed it with one of those green kitchen scrubbing pads and motor oil. Even though I didn't get all the dirt out, it hasn't rusted.

I've tried to use it to chop logs but the vibration is too much. The steel handle transmits the shock right into you. I can feel it in my wrists, elbows and shoulders, I didn't even make it through one decent sized log. I can chop a lot longer with a fiberglass or hickory handle.

But the axe is fairly light weight, I can wield it with one hand and the length is perfect distance for killing a zombie without it getting close enough to bite you. I don't believe in TEOTWAWKI scenarios, but I'm just saying...

Have you considered Gransfors Bruks?

https://www.gransforsbruk.com/

My main axe

is their Wildlife Hatchet.

This just in ...

Old, but maybe interesting thread on restoring an old hatchet.

Go to page 3 to see the end result.


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=716765

rc

I was kind of wondering if somebody made a generic nylon sheath that would fit the head?

Click to expand...

I know there are guys that make kydex sheaths for Estwings but they costas much as a new hatchet. You can make a mask from pvc pipe and a heat gun or old fire hose, but I find that a good chunk of rubber hose and some paracord work fine.

Smith, like your solution... it's solid, practical, and best of all made from materials on hand. I'll be making one of those for my old hatchet (which is usually to be found in a pile of other "occasional use" tools). Since I have several different sizes of bungee cord on spools (for boat rigging....) that will be my choice to replace the paracord.

If you are already a Kroil fan, their ExRust product is great for removing rust. Or stick the exposed metal portion in a plastic container of Coke or vinegar for a few days.

I like car was for an anti-rust coating on bare metal, especially the new high tech silicone based ones. That's what I use on my cast iron table saw and it works great, takes just a few moments to reapply every once in a while (like when you wax your truck, you'll already have it in your hand...)

That rubber hose sheath idea is pretty smart!

Smith, I really like those covers. Going to make some for my GB's.
(Those come with nice leather sheaths, but for every day use, I like yours better.)

I've always fancied Estwings. They just seem indestructible. This thread is making me want to add one to my kit.