A plumb boyscout hatchet rehab for review

Loosearrow · Sep 11, 2009

I know there are a lot of expensive axes and hatchets out there. I'm sure a number of the forum members would like to have the best etc. There is some hope for them. I was given an old plumb boyscout hatchet awhile back. Broken handle and wrapped with tape. I was told that the steel in these old hatchets iis pretty good so I thought since I had some time off I would bring it back to life. Took me awhile to haft it. Going slow, taking it off and on removing small amounts of wood at a time. After the the head was set, I burned the handle and dyed it with leather dye. Oiled the handle and placed small tacks around the end. I have done this before on axes etc and it doesn't seem to bother my hands. I gently rubbed the rust off the head and used two types of gun blue ion it and created somewhat of a pattern on the blade. I like it. I thought the rehab job might get others to work one up for themselves. I really enjoyed the process. Your kit doesn't have to be expensive to be enjoyed. Glad I took pictures pre and post. Regards Loosearrow

Bushman5 · Sep 11, 2009

very nice restoration! and you are right, there is a lot of pleasure in refurbishing an old axe.

Snake Dr. · Sep 11, 2009

You did an Excellent Job on the Plumb, That Handle Is sure nuff a "Beauty" Great Job, And Thank's for sharing the picture's of your project,

jurisprudence · Sep 11, 2009

Very nice. That handle really turned out well and the axe head looks great as well. I like the shape of that Plumb head, and would expect it to hold an edge very well.

Snake Dr. · Sep 11, 2009

jurisprudence said:
Very nice. That handle really turned out well and the axe head looks great as well. I like the shape of that Plumb head, and would expect it to hold an edge very well.

I was also checking out the Shape of his Plumb, The one I have Is different In Head Shape, I'm not sure how Old mine Is, Here's my two Original's, But you can sure nuff see that there different Plumb's, the one on the Bottom Is'nt a Plumb, I'm not sure what brand It Is It's only marked on the Handle Official Boy Scout Axe, But the Plumb Is maked on the Head Stamp,

I dont know after a closer look there pretty close In shape,
I'm gonna have to find me a New Handle after seeing your's "You got me Motivated" Your's Is "Beautiful !

Loosearrow · Sep 11, 2009

Snake Dr. said:
I was also checking out the Shape of his Plumb, The one I have Is different In Head Shape, I'm not sure how Old mine Is, Here's my two Original's, But you can sure nuff see that there different Plumb's, the one on the Bottom Is'nt a Plumb, I'm not sure what brand It Is It's only marked on the Handle Official Boy Scout Axe, But the Plumb Is maked on the Head Stamp,

I dont know after a closer look there pretty close In shape,
I'm gonna have to find me a New Handle after seeing your's "You got me Motivated" Your's Is "Beautiful !

Thanks for the compliment. I have seen the style you have only once. A little wider on the blade. If your handle is strong, all the dings and marks are character. They may bring back certain memories. You could just refinish it a bit to bring it back. I did notice a few minutes ago that when I held the old handle it was smaller around. Like for a smaller boys hand. I didn't notice it before. Then again, it is a boyscout hatchet. I feel that these tools are personal items. I can spot my kit a mile away. People can see the care you take in them and they should ask for permission to handle them. Then you can teach. Nothing worse than to have some guy ask to borrow your axe to bust some stakes in and bring it back with the wood chewed up. I say use a rock. Now the sheath needs be made to dress it up even more. Then the perfect package. Maybe even an heirloom. I burned my mark in the base of the handle. May mean something to someone one of these days. Sorry for the ramble. Regards, Loosearrow

savageknives · Sep 12, 2009

thats too cool. that handle came out looking almost like maple, at least to me that is. good job brother

CitizenQ · Sep 12, 2009

Nice job brother!...I especially like the tacks you embedded at the end of the haft.

Snake Dr. · Sep 12, 2009

Loosearrow said:
Thanks for the compliment. I have seen the style you have only once. A little wider on the blade. If your handle is strong, all the dings and marks are character. They may bring back certain memories. You could just refinish it a bit to bring it back. I did notice a few minutes ago that when I held the old handle it was smaller around. Like for a smaller boys hand. I didn't notice it before. Then again, it is a boyscout hatchet. I feel that these tools are personal items. I can spot my kit a mile away. People can see the care you take in them and they should ask for permission to handle them. Then you can teach. Nothing worse than to have some guy ask to borrow your axe to bust some stakes in and bring it back with the wood chewed up. I say use a rock. Now the sheath needs be made to dress it up even more. Then the perfect package. Maybe even an heirloom. I burned my mark in the base of the handle. May mean something to someone one of these days. Sorry for the ramble. Regards, Loosearrow

Hello Loosearrow, The Handle on the Plumb as some Ding's a good sized gouge that you can see In the picture's but other than that It's In good condition the Head's a tad bit loose but I can fix that, I think I'm gonna leave them Original but I'll get a backup Handle just In case, I'm gonna clean the Head's up and give the Plumb Handle some more Linssed Oil It soaked It up at first It was Dry and I gave It about 5 Coat's but Im gonna give It all the Boiled Linseed Oil It'll take, You sure did a Great Job of your Old Plumb, If you look through some past Topic's you see some other Work on Refurbishing by Dusty One and Teague they did some Real Nice work also, :thumbup:

Loosearrow · Sep 12, 2009

Snake Dr. said:
Hello Loosearrow, The Handle on the Plumb as some Ding's a good sized gouge that you can see In the picture's but other than that It's In good condition the Head's a tad bit loose but I can fix that, I think I'm gonna leave them Original but I'll get a backup Handle just In case, I'm gonna clean the Head's up and give the Plumb Handle some more Linssed Oil It soaked It up at first It was Dry and I gave It about 5 Coat's but Im gonna give It all the Boiled Linseed Oil It'll take, You sure did a Great Job of your Old Plumb, If you look through some past Topic's you see some other Work on Refurbishing by Dusty One and Teague they did some Real Nice work also, :thumbup:

Thanks again. Hope someone will do the same and make them keepers. Brings some new life into them doesn't it. Now to go and split some fatwood. I'll have to post some of my axes sometime. Regards.

C Bryant · Sep 12, 2009

Wow, that came out great! I'm very impressed.

nifrand · Sep 12, 2009

I picked up a couple of double bit axes at a garage sale this morning.They are tru temper and a bit smaller than my other double bits.They are 7" blade to blade and my others are 10" blade to blade.I'll take some before and after pics.Paid $2.00 for one and $3.00 for the other.
Randy

Loosearrow · Sep 14, 2009

nifrand said:
I picked up a couple of double bit axes at a garage sale this morning.They are tru temper and a bit smaller than my other double bits.They are 7" blade to blade and my others are 10" blade to blade.I'll take some before and after pics.Paid $2.00 for one and $3.00 for the other.
Randy

Good find. I have a few TrueTemper axes and they were worth the money have fun with them and post when you are done with them.

Dusty One · Sep 15, 2009

Very nice job and nice pic's !

Loosearrow · Sep 15, 2009

Dusty One said:
Very nice job and nice pic's !

Thanks, I hope others will look for cheap treasures to use. Live is too short to have an ugly axe. You can do it while watching tv and have something to show for your time. I should post some others that I have saved. I put my mark on them and hope they will get passed on or even used as a gift for someone who gets the outdoor bug.

markv · Sep 17, 2009

Snake Dr.
a dollar to a doughnut the non plumb BS axe is a Collins. poll is similar to a Collins and Collins made a B-zillian axes.

i have a couple of the Plumb axes with the taper on the poll. they are my favorites. excellent steel.
chop quite well.

i also have a Plumb not similar to Snake Dr.'s. it does not have the tapered poll
i tuned it to the inth. degree. it is fast and you have to get used to it. what i mean by fast; i removed some of the poll , the balance is towards the edge.

in comparison to the now Famous Norlund...
i'd take the Plumb. nothing really "wrong" with the Norlund.. i can't explain it, a personal preference?

besides you can improve a plain jane axe by judiciously removing the excess steel on the cheeks and by honing to a good edge.
Old jimbo has a great tutorial on his site.
all good
buzz

markv · Sep 17, 2009

Loosearrow,
you did a fine job on your Plumb
nice work on the handle. i make a few handles from scratch. i'm too tired to do anything cool to them after i'm finished ,like you did.

but, i will give it a go next time.
all good
buzz

Loosearrow · Sep 18, 2009

markv said:
Loosearrow,
you did a fine job on your Plumb
nice work on the handle. i make a few handles from scratch. i'm too tired to do anything cool to them after i'm finished ,like you did.

but, i will give it a go next time.
all good
buzz

I can imagine how much work it would take to make one from scratch. It's tedious enough for me to fit the handle to the head. I would imagine it gives you alot of freedom in wood choices. I was stuck with some plain handles and they were hard enough to find in the first place so I bought two. One extra for another hatchet. Finding straight grain and no mix like heart wood is difficult around here. Then some of them are twisted. Wish you were nearby and I could watch you work. I did see a post in the past of an old man making a axe handle from a piece of wood with a hatchet and a knife. What a skill to be able to do that by eye. Regards

A plumb boyscout hatchet rehab for review

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