Photos Estwing

DirtDawg said:
I've had this E3-24A Sportsman's Axe for over a year now, and it seems I never got around to sharing it until now.

Upon arrival, it had some surface rust and discoloration, as shown in the bottom right photo, as well as the handle looking quite drab. But it seems to have cleaned up okay (upper photo).
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This is KOOL! I never knew Estwing made a blue rubber handled axe?
Anyway, I looked these up finding one on Amazon. It's now on it's way to me.
 
Ballenxj said:
This is KOOL! I never knew Estwing made a blue rubber handled axe?
Anyway, I looked these up finding one on Amazon. It's now on it's way to me.
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Did you say you found an E3-24A on Amazon? New? Or did you get the new design 14" axe?
 
Just picked up a 1990’s Estwing 24a. Looking to do a light restoration. No real dings, just a little pitting and some fairly heavy scratching. Needs a sharpening. Hoping some steel wool will do the trick. Do most of you sharpen hatchets with a file? Sandpaper? Belt sander?
 
I think they look good cold blued with a polished edge. Okay maybe simi polished. I do not know the age. Only they are good tools.
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DirtDawg said:
Good lookin' outfit. What did you use to oil the sheath please? It surely did retain the color tone nicely.
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I always use a generous amount of mineral oil (ballistol) on the leather to moisturize it and wipe off any surface residue, and then mink oil after its dried to darken it up a bit. Its more flexible and bendable now and has a nice deep color. I didn't want it perfect (or I'd never use it!), but wanted it clean and nice. Not as nice as the one(s) you did, but I loved your idea to try to match the handle! Hard to tell in my poor pic, but it matches nicely. These 24A's are great axes!
 
Pics: top after steel wool rub, light sanding everywhere (both metal and leather handle to remove lacquer), sharpening, oiling, and sticker removal - no machining done. Bottom was when it arrived with light rust, dull blade, partial stickers, and heavy coat of slick lacquering on the handle. I vastly prefer the new look and feel. Can't wait to get another....

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Slice-and-dice said:
I always use a generous amount of mineral oil (ballistol) on the leather to moisturize it and wipe off any surface residue, and then mink oil after its dried to darken it up a bit. Its more flexible and bendable now and has a nice deep color. I didn't want it perfect (or I'd never use it!), but wanted it clean and nice. Not as nice as the one(s) you did, but I loved your idea to try to match the handle! Hard to tell in my poor pic, but it matches nicely. These 24A's are great axes!
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Every bit as nice as any I've done or seen. I'm always learning, that's why I asked about your leather treatment. I've never used Ballistol or any Mineral Oil on leather products, so I've learned something today. And I agree, the sheath matches the handle quite nicely.
 
Slice-and-dice said:
Pics: top after steel wool rub, light sanding everywhere (both metal and leather handle to remove lacquer), sharpening, oiling, and sticker removal - no machining done. Bottom was when it arrived with light rust, dull blade, partial stickers, and heavy coat of slick lacquering on the handle. I vastly prefer the new look and feel. Can't wait to get another....

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Very nice. I really like the way natural leather feels in the hand after the lacquer is removed.
 
Slice-and-dice said:
Pics: top after steel wool rub, light sanding everywhere (both metal and leather handle to remove lacquer), sharpening, oiling, and sticker removal - no machining done. Bottom was when it arrived with light rust, dull blade, partial stickers, and heavy coat of slick lacquering on the handle. I vastly prefer the new look and feel. Can't wait to get another....

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It never occurred to me to sand off the lacquer off of the handle.
The improvement in the feel of the handle is well worth the 5 minutes to sand and condition the leather.
This should be on the must do list for anyone with these Estwings.
 
GrumpySoreOldBastard said:
It never occurred to me to sand off the lacquer off of the handle.
The improvement in the feel of the handle is well worth the 5 minutes to sand and condition the leather.
This should be on the must do list for anyone with these Estwings.
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So true, huge improvement. I think these hatchets would become even more popular if folks realized how easy it is to sand & condition the leather, oil or dye the very nice leather sheath (not supplied with newer models), give a light sharpen, and if desired, patina the 1055 steel. And its great fun to do it.

And then, go out and use it! They have a reputation for being indestructible for a reason.
 
Much like with wooden axe handles, the purpose of the lacquer is not as a permanent finish, but as a form of "shrink wrap" to protect the material against moisture/humidity changes in storage. Scrapes off easy and feels SO much better once it's removed and the treatment of your choice put on (if any.)
 
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