Finished reshaping my old HF hatchet head

[Hickory n steel]

For the the 10$ I had payed for it I figured I could experiment with it and wanted to try something different.
I decided I wanted every edge except the edge rounded off.


Not sure if I'm gonna paint it or patina it as I don't want it all shiny ( it's actually just rough sanded ), but I like it so far.
I don't have a small scale, but think it's probably down to about a pound now.

If you guys have any ideas of what I should do i'd like to hear them.

 

[Agent_H]

I think it looks pretty neat H&S.

 

[Steve Tall]

...If you guys have any ideas of what I should do i'd like to hear them.

I agree that it looks good. One idea is to carve a handle that resembles one from a similar-sized Gransfors axe. The result would be pretty impressive for only $10 out of pocket.

 

[300Six]

I agree that it looks good. One idea is to carve a handle that resembles one from a similar-sized Gransfors axe. The result would be pretty impressive for only $10 out of pocket.

Gotta agree here with your $10 experiment! You have a good eye for performing 'mods'. But I have to ask: aside from carving marshmallow sticks, pounding tent pegs and 'knocking' the heads off fish and chickens what do you do with a mini-hatchet?

 

[Hickory n steel]

I agree that it looks good. One idea is to carve a handle that resembles one from a similar-sized Gransfors axe. The result would be pretty impressive for only $10 out of pocket.

Sorry, but I can't stand how the GB's look so that's out.
To me it's like their heads are a poor translation of English
I already reused the link handle I had taken off of it, so as far as the finish I think I'll just use it as is and let it patina naturally

 

[Hickory n steel]

Gotta agree here with your $10 experiment! You have a good eye for performing 'mods'. But I have to ask: aside from carving marshmallow sticks, pounding tent pegs and 'knocking' the heads off fish and chickens what do you do with a mini-hatchet?

My Vaughan sub zero ( 8oz head ) is extremely useful, it performs way better than you'd think.
Personally I mostly use it for tree pruning ( every once in a while a branch hangs down into my airgun range )
It makes kindling very well and chops extremely well too.

You just have to try one to see how useful they really are.

I made this one because I feel like 1-1/4lb is too much weight for a typical 14-16" hatchet handle.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Just think of it this way: for a chopping tool of a given length, an axe or hatchet is the peak of maximizing power for a minimum of mass. So even in the case of a tiny hatchet, you're maximizing the power possible from that short of a tool with a given total weight.

 

[BG_Farmer]

Put it on a 20ish inch straight handle. I have a "small trappers axe" aka polled tomahawk that is about that size and it's good for camp chores, but the tapered throwing handles are too small for my hand when chopping.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Right around 20" is just right for small heads, for sure.

 

[Matt-D]

Very cool looking axe head man

 

[Hickory n steel]

Very cool looking axe head man

Thanks!
Temporarily I hung it on the link handle I took it off , but I'll find something better eventually.
I don't really like the idea of straight handles, though haven't tried one yet so maybe I will it on this at some point.

 

[Hacked]

That came out great, and a perfect candidate for modification. Looking forward to seeing how it works when it's done.

 

[BG_Farmer]

Thanks!
Temporarily I hung it on the link handle I took it off , but I'll find something better eventually.
I don't really like the idea of straight handles, though haven't tried one yet so maybe I will it on this at some point.

I was unenthusiastic about straight handles, except for doubles, until I started researching colonial period axes and got one. It is much better for general purpose use for me, especially if using the poll much. Then I noticed my pet Indian made boys axe had an almost straight handle that looks a little curved, and it works well. Finally,, no less authority than old axeman says his favorite axe is on a straight handle, and he knows more about axes than I ever will, so I just went with it.

I'm sure there are applications where the curved handle is somewhat better, and it is appropriate on many vintage axes, but for all around use, straight handles are best for me.