Found this old hatchet and I'm thinking of restoring it, is it worth it ?

[vaj1111]

I was given an old wooden chest filled with old tools, hand planes, saws, and a couple of hatchets. I thought the shape of this one was unique and I'm thinking of making it a project. I gave it a quick 15 minute sanding on one side just to see what the metal looked like and so far I'm liking it. It has a stamping of L & I J. White Buffalo N.Y. on it an the date 1837.

Click the photo below for short video

 

[markv]

i would not take any patina away from the bevel side, just sharpen and go to work.
looks like a real nice hewing hatchet

thanks for posting

buzz

 

[Square_peg]

i would not take any patina away from the bevel side, just sharpen and go to work.
looks like a real nice hewing hatchet

What Buzz said.

What's to restore? Just sharpen and go. Nice broad hatchet.

I'm not familiar with the maker but I wonder if the date on it is the date they were founded. The axe looks early 20th century to me. You can know for sure by cleaning up the top edge of the bit. If you see a seam dividing 2 types of metal then you've got a forge-welded bit which probably dates to pre-1900. But I'm betting you have a cast steel axe - homogeneous metal - post 1900 (give or take a decade). FWIW, the newer one would be better made.

 

[garry3]

Its a nice hatchet. Yea it's worth it. Those are made reversible. Just flip it over for a lefty. What ever you do, do not put a bevel on the flat side. They sharpen just like a chisel. The single bevel on the bit allows the user to make very fine cuts with out the hatchet skipping off the work. They are a pleasure to use.
Have fun.
Merry Christmas!