My Hatchet Project...

[Big Bill]

For the past few years I've been buying all kinds of old hatchets that needed refurbishing. I have around twenty of them and I am now almost done with them. Here's what I did:

First, I checked the hatchets out to see which ones needed new handles, etc. Then, I basically removed most ot the heads and either sandblasted them or sanded and cleaned all the rust off of them and and sharpened them. Next, I sanded the handles and repaired them; gave them a nice coat of stain (I have several colors.); and, finally, finished that off with three coats of Deft satin Clear Wood Finish. Anyway, I thought I'd post the pictures here...

 

[Big Bill]

Here's more... Including two hawks I'm working on. The vinegar patina on the first two hatchets is clearly visible.

 

[Big Bill]

And, finally, here are three walking sticks I've made. I make them out of Choke Cherry wood. I've had a slug of them but my kids have absconede with most of them. The fourth stick is a long handle garden cultivator that I threw in for perspective. The back block fence is about four feet high.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nice!

 

[bikerdoc]

Nice indeed!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Nice collection!

I've tried to restore the axes, hatchets, broadaxes, and other edged tools that I've found over the years. They're usually pretty rough when I find them so yours look better than mine, by and large.

Right now I'm finishing up a late 1800s "patent" axe that I found in a fieldstone fence around a remote slave/freedman graveyard. It's kinda pitted but it works like a new one.

 

[Big Bill]

Most of mine were also in bad condition. But I have a friend with a sandblaster and a great supply of new handles. And, I never buy one unless I am positive I can resurrect it.

I'd sure like to see some of your work. I bet that "patent" axe is going to be fantastic!