found hatchet head, can use restoration and rehandling advice

[knoefz]

Last summer in France in the Loire river my GF found an old hatchet head.
I love how it's shaped and when I have some time I'd like to try and give it a new life.
Brush up the steel a bit, and rehandle the thing.

inscription is hard to read

I have no clue what type of handle should go on a model like this.
Something straight like a hammer? Or more curved like plain hatchets?
Any advise and info on the thing is welcome.

 

[KiwiBloke]

Would that be considered a Tomahawk instead of a Hatchet? Looks like a cool piece, can't help with advice though sorry.

 

[A17]

Looks like a tomahawk to me too. I would put a straight handle in it personally.

 

[jblyttle]

That's in amazing condition for something found in a river.

 

[A17]

Maybe he meant on the river?

 

[Moonw]

Well, what's the difference between a tomahawk and a slip-fit polled hatchet?

Nice find.

If otherwise you get along fine, she's a keeper (I mean your girlfriend ).

 

[Fmont]

I doubt it's very old. 600 is probably weight in grams. Perhaps somebody was throwing hawks and this one went wayward.

 

[gben]

Hit it with a wire brush, put a handle on it, sharpen it and then use it. Mystery solved.

 

[jblyttle]

Yup, it's a nice find no matter what.

 

[Square_peg]

I have no clue what type of handle should go on a model like this.
Something straight like a hammer? Or more curved like plain hatchets?

Straight haft would be best because it's a tool designed to be used on both ends. The bit design and weight stamp are typical of European designs for many years. But the poll is atypical and very cool - a nice addition.

Well, what's the difference between a tomahawk and a slip-fit polled hatchet?

You say toh-may-toe, I say toh-mah-toe. In any case it's a nice slip-fit design. The eye looks more hatchet-like than tomahawk-like to me. But that's surely not definitive.

I doubt it's very old. 600 is probably weight in grams.

European hatchets have used gram designations for probably a hundred years. But I agree with you, it doesn't look that old. I'd bet it's 1970's or later. But I don't see them being made like this today.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

It looks like a utilitarian hammer/hatchet, that is to say all-purpose. To get an idea we can look at the specialized version used by des tavillons. I wouldn't go so far as ascribing yours such a narrow function given were you recovered it, not an area associated with wooden shingles too much.

 

[Moonw]

Yep, I have some Italian pattern hatchets and I catch myself thinking: "These are some nice tomahawks". Historically, it all makes sense .

And yep #2, to the original poster: we invented grams quite early . Lost hope to convert the English to the Metric System, don't even get me started (and banned ) on "others". Ha ha ha!

If underneath that rust there's a stamp, it may very well tell a story.

 

[Moonw]

Yup, it's a nice find no matter what.

Agreed. Rare to have a woman care about your passion for a rust-covered piece of steel.

 

[knoefz]

Thanks ffor al the feedback and tips..
It was found on the riverbank that was dry at time we were there because this summer was extremely dry.

600 is the weightnin grams, but the text below still puzzles me.
Tomahaws are not very european, so I didn't call it that.

Something straight handled like this will suit the head I think

 

[flexo]

all right this is a french house hatchet, (hachette de ménage) very common shape, and with an oval eye slip trough , just like tomahawks (wich ones, were made by french once…)

 

[knoefz]

all right this is a french house hatchet, (hachette de ménage) very common shape, and with an oval eye slip trough , just like tomahawks (wich ones, were made by french once…)

Thank man, finally it has a name, hachette de ménage, I like that. Appreciate your input buddy!

 

[Moonw]

Straight handle, no doubt.

 

[knoefz]

had some time to star the restoration yesterday and today.

First step: removing the rust.

after 4 hours soaking in vinegar:

After 10 hours soaking and some scrubbing with a steel wire brush the result I'm very happy with:

Makersmark became readable again: Goldenberg 86

Wow it's pretty already

next step: make a handle out of this piece of ash(?) wood from an old shovel

to be continued

 

[The Warrior]

Nice!

 

[The Warrior]

Looks like Goldenberg was a French tool company that got bought out by Stanley in the 80's. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/anyone-have-info-on-a-goldenberg-axe.1118121/