Replace the handle on a Estwing Carpenter Hatchet

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Rule3

Rule3

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(could be a weapon):)

I have my fathers very old Estwing, this has been through a lot of things. Was our main camping and landscape do all tool. Used and abused!

Anyway the leather handle is pretty much completely gone. I have it wrapped in grip tape. It is beyond repair, it needs to be replaced.

I found several videos on the leather stacking, but that is just to much work for me, I could do it but really do not want to,

So is their any easier way, kit? I do not care if it is not leather, synthetic like the new ones is OK with me.

Found this video, guy does a great job but to much time and work for me at this time.

 
Does he do it for others to make money? Some projects require another set of hands when you're to busy.
 
Does the guy that made the video also replace handles for people? Side hustle, make a few bucks...
 
This outfit, and likely others, will sell you new handle washers. https://twinleather.com/ Another possibility would be to build up to useful shape with small wood pieces and epoxy, then wrap with tennis racket grip wrap or bike handlebar tape. You could also find a wood replacement handle at your hardware store, and drill out for shank. Rivet extensions of metal shank can be ground off and butt cap epoxied on or pitched.
 
rust collector said:
This outfit, and likely others, will sell you new handle washers. https://twinleather.com/ Another possibility would be to build up to useful shape with small wood pieces and epoxy, then wrap with tennis racket grip wrap or bike handlebar tape. You could also find a wood replacement handle at your hardware store, and drill out for shank. Rivet extensions of metal shank can be ground off and butt cap epoxied on or pitched.
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Thanks, The leather would be nice but finishing to nice shape would be tricky I can trim to the rough shape but need a better sanding wheel for the fine finish. I am liking the idea of a pre made hammer handle. I have wood bits but don't think they are long enough to drill through (even from both sides)
Suppose I could cut it half and let the epoxy hold it together??
 
Rule3 said:
Suppose I could cut it half and let the epoxy hold it together??
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Cut what in half? The wooden grip? You mean across the axis of the length of wood so you could have shorter pieces of wood to drill? Remember the end plate you remove will push them towards the head and together as well. You could also put a couple of pins in as well between the pieces.
 
If you don't have the equipment to do this yourself or the time to invest, but you want his hatchet restored, check with local shoe repair shops. A buddy needed an old stack leather knife redone and he took my advice and dropped it off at the oldest shoe and leather repair shop local to us. They did a super job and only charged him $50. That's the price of a new Estwing leather handled hatchet, but that may be your only option if you don't do it yourself.
 
Well I took off the rotten leather (just turned to dust and pieces.)

The hardwood handle will not work, the metal is too wide and there would be nothing left of the wood if drilled.

Now my next idea is why not just use a leather strip and wrap it.? Much like grip tape only thicker. Then epoxy it??
 
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You still need the plate to compress it and help hold it.
Look at leather specific adhesives. https://www.libertyleathergoods.com/leather-glue/
I'd suggest you soak leather bar wrap in one of the recommended permanent leather adhesives making an overlapping wrap. If you want a palm swell or having it larger near the butt put additional leather on the haft in those areas before wrapping.
 
hso said:
You still need the plate to compress it and help hold it.
Look at leather specific adhesives. https://www.libertyleathergoods.com/leather-glue/
I'd suggest you soak leather bar wrap in one of the recommended permanent leather adhesives making an overlapping wrap. If you want a palm swell or having it larger near the butt put additional leather on the haft in those areas before wrapping.
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Was just out in the garage getting most all of the rust of the handle. What a job. It is a feel like 100 degrees out there,

I have used a lot of contact cements over the years for laminates, great stuff but it is a one strike your out product. there is no do overs!
Need to fill the center of the handle it is like a mini I beam, maybe glues a strip of leather in there on both sides.

Still searching for the right leather, I am thinking of 1/16 thick x 1/2 wide
 
If you were one of those you tube commandos you could buy a bunch of slender bamboo skewers, build up a handle to suit, and fill the interior spaces with slow set epoxy. Unwanted bits could be sanded off. But you couldn't stop there. You would dunk in plasti-dip or paint it so it would raise blisters more easily. :D
 
I have a EK commando knife that has a couple of layers of green 550 cord over the tang as a gripping surface, it's been on there 20 years or so and is still tight and has a good feel...
 
rust collector said:
If you were one of those you tube commandos you could buy a bunch of slender bamboo skewers, build up a handle to suit, and fill the interior spaces with slow set epoxy. Unwanted bits could be sanded off. But you couldn't stop there. You would dunk in plasti-dip or paint it so it would raise blisters more easily. :D
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I actually have all those products available ! Would cost me nothing!:)

Bondo , sand smooth, apply electrical tape!:)

Yes, I have considered Para Cord.
 
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There is no such thing as a rubber Estwing replacement handle. Those are dipped and molded on the tool at the factory, not installed.

A few people have done other odd things, like lots of O-Rings but my favorite might be trying to find a local knife maker. See if any of them have the skills/tools to do handle restorationgs. Stacked leather is a knife thing also, so it's just more of them for a hammer, may be NBD for them, and pretty cheap.
 
shoobe01 said:
and pretty cheap.
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What makes you think it would be "pretty cheap" to have an artisan knifemaker build up a stack washer leather handle on this hatchet? What would you consider "pretty cheap"? $50 for a couple hours labor, materials and shop time?
 
OH NOOOOOOO. You have bubba'd a priceless artifact! :neener:

Estwing has made these tools with little change since 1923. I don't see your half hatchet or carpenter's hatchet in the current lineup, but I have one that I keep in the truck. I think I will seal my handle to try and avoid the damage yours sustained.
 
hso said:
What makes you think it would be "pretty cheap" to have an artisan knifemaker build up a stack washer leather handle on this hatchet? What would you consider "pretty cheap"? $50 for a couple hours labor, materials and shop time?
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1) MAY be pretty cheap. May not.
2) For-heirloom cheap. Yes, seen folks do stuff that is easy for them not unlike this for $20 or $50. For work, I'd have said toss it and get a new one, yup.
Doesn't hurt to ask, but okay.
 
It comes down to how bad you want something and want it correct. Then you have to ask yourself if you want to do it or have someone else do it.

$50 would be getting off cheap! Labor costs in most shops is about $100 an hour with a 2 hour minimum!
 
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