All those Boy Scout Hatchets on Ebay

[johnniet]

I'm tempted to get one or two (or six) and see if some of them can be made into nice, user hatchets for today.

What would be involved in this? I'm not a knifemaker, but I'm willing to take the head to a professional for grinding, if it makes sense.

What should I look for in the pictures, and what questions should I ask the seller before buying?

Part of me really likes the idea of using a 50-year-old tool that works just as well as a brand-new one I could buy.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

If you need to replace the handle, Jim Aston has a nice page showing how to do this in some detail. If the handle is still functional, you will be looking at a light sanding and then oiling.

The head will most likely need some work, how much so depends on the use. Such axes can have very thick bevels so you might need to thin it out, or you may be lucky and just have to sharpen it.

Ask about the quality of the handle, and get a top down shot of the axe to check the profile of the bit. If the handle is still securely attached ask about the grain and any other flaws (impactions, cracks etc.).

-Cliff