Boyhood Hatched Revival

[Hickory n steel]

You inspired me to modify my harbor freight hatchet.
I didn't have a good hacksaw blade so I just had to grind and file away material, so I ended up with short ears .
I think it turned out OK, and I was able to remove about 1/4lb and solve my problem of thinking that 1-1/4lb is to heavy for a 14" handle.
I didn't have a longer handle, so I made the head lighter.

 

[LG&M]

Nice, is the HF good steel?

 

[JPA88]

Thanks again everyone!

Really nice job. It doesn't look like a Swedish axe, Swedish axes look like American Jersey axes! Plus, with a little guy like that you get a little extra finger room for carving or whatever.

Haha. That's a good "glass half full" attitude!

I usually hate viewing 'new age' butchery of old tools but you pulled this one out of a hat. What helps is you intimately knew the history and user of the thing. Congrats you did a really nice job of it too!

I know the user very well, he is me!

At 475 you're probably fine.

I think you're right, I was able to get a file to bite. Kinda. I need some new files though, and I have a factory axe that I can hardly file and it's holding up.

That is some cool work JPA. I haven't tried to retemper anything so I can't comment on that other than good for you!

Are they "ears" when they are rounded and "lugs" when they are pointed?

I know the real work was on the head but that handle sure turned out attractive.

That Husqvarna isn't bad looking either.

That's a good question! I don't know. I wouldn't go by my post, I may have used the wrong terminology.

 

[JPA88]

You inspired me to modify my harbor freight hatchet.
I didn't have a good hacksaw blade so I just had to grind and file away material, so I ended up with short ears .
I think it turned out OK, and I was able to remove about 1/4lb and solve my problem of thinking that 1-1/4lb is to heavy for a 14" handle.
I didn't have a longer handle, so I made the head lighter.

That's awesome! Very nice work. It's a lot easier to cut up an axe if it's a brand like harbor freight or master mechanic. I'd hesitate to cut up a vintage American axe, unless it was really screwed up. I think 1 pound is a good weight.
Good choppin' to ya!

 

[Hickory n steel]

Nice, is the HF good steel?

Surprisingly yes mine is, someone else on here got a good'n too but it's not a guarantee.
If you get one the fiberglass ones are cheaper at only 8$.
So I'd take a gamble on the cheaper one and replace the handle of it's any good.
I didn't do as good of a job as you did, but it works for me.

 

[Hickory n steel]

That's awesome! Very nice work. It's a lot easier to cut up an axe if it's a brand like harbor freight or master mechanic. I'd hesitate to cut up a vintage American axe, unless it was really screwed up. I think 1 pound is a good weight.
Good choppin' to ya!

Master mechanic was actually a pretty decent line of tools, they had good driver bits and power tools.

 

[thunderstick]

That is really nice design and workmanship! You are utilizing the Hudson Bay look with ears to offset any potential hafting weakness. Working from an American axe with a higher centerline leaves you with an HB hatchet that should pop chips and be OK for carpentry work. That is not just a cool looking reconstruction, it's very practical.

 

[flexo]

very nice reconstruction indeed!

from a so desperatly worn hatchet to an eye candy treasure !