broke my hatchet

T

tripletrash

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
794
I have an all metal hatchet with leather ring handle and the base is coming off and the leather moves around. is there any way to fix this kind of hatchet?
 
If you really like it, maybe you should consider taking the leather rings off and replace them with a wood or micarta mortised handle. The Knifemaker's forum folks would be glad to give you some pointers I'm sure. You've really got nothing to lose.
 
I figured I could just re do the base that held on the leather but replacing the handle would be just as good. what is a mortised handle?
 
A mortised handle is a sandwich type hidden tang design. It uses two handle slabs, each is slotted on the inside to match the shape of the handle. The slot depth is 1/2 the thickness of the tang. When assembled they form a closed case around the tang. Usually they are epoxied and pinned in place. It would make a nice neat package and if fitted correctly would be plenty strong. Knifemakers use this design all the time. Here is a simplified view:


In order to tighten a leather handle you must be able to re-compress the rings. I don't know how your handle is attached, but on my Estwing for example, I would have to clamp it down, find a way to put pressure on the metal endplate, and with it still compressed peen down the rivets on the end to hold it in place. If yours has a metal bolster on the end, you would have to drive out the pins holding it in place, remove it, add a spacer or an additional leather ring to take up the gap and reinstall the bolster.

If it is only a little loose because the leather has dried out, you might be able to swell the leather again by soaking it in hot (not too hot) beeswax for a bit. There was a thread talking about this not long ago, if I can find it I'll post a link.
 
thanks for the info it should be extremly helpfull im gonna take the handle apart and see which option is best
 
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