Estwing carpenter hatchet mod (updated 5/24)

slapper · May 18, 2011

Lately I've been wanting a full tang hawk, but their cost(and my wife) have kept me from purchasing one. I ran across a mod during a google search and decided to try it. this is just a little progress, as I got really tired last night and went to bed. I may or may not attempt a spike in the future. I will at least put a chamfer on the beard(I have yet to even deburr). There will be more to come, but not this week. I'd love to hear what you guys think.

Vanguard41xx · May 18, 2011

I like it so far. Do you plan on replacing the blue grips?

HandAxeProMan · May 18, 2011

So far it looks good. Can't wait to see the final results.

slapper · May 18, 2011

Vanguard41xx said:
I like it so far. Do you plan on replacing the blue grips?

No, I actually like them. I would have ordered the leather handled one for looks, but I just liked the feel if these. I am kind of envisioning a cross between a camp hatchet and a hawk, all while being discreet and friendly looking. I may do another one or two, w/ different grips, but I want this one to look tame. Thank you for your response.
Also, grip suggestions for future projects would be appreciated.

TwinStick · May 18, 2011

Nice job. What did you use to cut it with ? Or did you grind it ? Great idea. How would you attempt the spike, if you did ?

slapper · May 18, 2011

At first I used a large file, but after about 15 min i realized that take a few days.
next I tried a hacksaw, It worked but not very well.

Finally what worked the best was a dremel with a cutoff wheel. I kept pouring water to keep it cool, although it dissipated the heat well naturally.
I used a half round file to smooth the roughness from the cutoff wheel, and then a sanding drum(on the Dremel) to get it pretty smooth.

I believe that a spike would require a grinder, so I might look into getting one. I want a belt grinder anyway.

Thanks for the interest.

1066vik · May 18, 2011

nice clean look -- good job so far.
for belt grinder, the 1x30 at harbor freight isn't bad for a cheap one, the 2x42 at sears removes stock a bit faster and is a better quality machine overall, but it costs twice as much and the belts cost more.

slapper · May 18, 2011

1066vik said:
nice clean look -- good job so far.
for belt grinder, the 1x30 at harbor freight isn't bad for a cheap one, the 2x42 at sears removes stock a bit faster and is a better quality machine overall, but it costs twice as much and the belts cost more.

Thank you,
Do you know if the sears grinder will run w/o the guard?

1066vik · May 19, 2011

sorry, but I don't.
mine is still in the box while I build my workshop - and it keeps raining on the weekends, so I'm significantly behind on that., or I'd be able to tell you. I'd be surprised if there weren't a way to pull off the plastic hood, and there are several youtube videos out there on how to modify it.

TwinStick · May 19, 2011

Don't discount a 4.5" angle grinder. You can get all kinds of different wheels & also a flapper disc, which is like a sanding belt. I got a RIDGED from Home Depot. About $70 + all you wheels. Comes with a bag, & you can remove the guard if you want, & a screw in side handle.

Vampire Hunter D · May 19, 2011

I'm working on one of these too. The user st33ve0 is a friend of Ryan at RMJ Tactical and he posted the tactical Estwing in a couple of places.

As I understand they were made in a limited number by Ryan for guys needing a less than $100 tactical axe. Or something like that.

- D

Dusty One · May 20, 2011

Lookin good.....nice job !

unloved · May 20, 2011

slapper said:
I believe that a spike would require a grinder, so I might look into getting one. I want a belt grinder anyway.

I did mine on a Ryobi 4"X36" belt sander.

slapper · May 21, 2011

Vampire Hunter D said:
I'm working on one of these too. The user st33ve0 is a friend of Ryan at RMJ Tactical and he posted the tactical Estwing in a couple of places.

As I understand they were made in a limited number by Ryan for guys needing a less than $100 tactical axe. Or something like that.

- D

Yeah I saw it on a zombie site, I was able to find it by googling. estwing rmj

slapper · May 21, 2011

Dusty One said:
Lookin good.....nice job !

thank you

slapper · May 21, 2011

unloved said:
I did mine on a Ryobi 4"X36" belt sander.

Nice!:thumbup: I went with the bigger bladed version b/c I found out using a trail hawk that my aim isn't great.

shockjockey24 · May 21, 2011

welcome to the maddness of hatchet modding...ive done about 5 of the carpenter hatchets into tomahawks for people (they make great gifts) its very addicting, i always keep an eye out at the flea market for carpenter hatchets now.

slapper · May 21, 2011

TwinStick said:
Don't discount a 4.5" angle grinder. You can get all kinds of different wheels & also a flapper disc, which is like a sanding belt. I got a RIDGED from Home Depot. About $70 + all you wheels. Comes with a bag, & you can remove the guard if you want, & a screw in side handle.

That is a good Idea too. I can clean the edge up pretty fast with a file, but adding a chamfer will require a bit more.

slapper · May 21, 2011

shockjockey24 said:
welcome to the maddness of hatchet modding...ive done about 5 of the carpenter hatchets into tomahawks for people (they make great gifts) its very addicting, i always keep an eye out at the flea market for carpenter hatchets now.

I can see what you mean, I haven't finished one and I'm planning 3 more.

slapper · May 24, 2011

I've cleaned up the underside and sharpened it a bit. I found a couple of coupons in an NRA magazine for harbor freight, so I got a 1*30 belt sander and a 4.5 inch grinder. Here are some pictures.