Garage Sale Find: LL Bean hatchet

C

Chief Brody

Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
83
Hey hatchet guys,
First post in this area of the forum. Visited home recently and my father gave me this LL Bean hatchet that he'd found at a garage sale. I'm not very knowledgeable on hatchets and axes, but I'm slowly accumulating some good tools and camping gear that I plan to get lots of use out of. Just looking for some good information about this particular hatchet. The only marking anywhere on it is a T on the bottom of the head, behind the handle. The leather sheath is stamped with L.L. Bean. Where were these made, are they quality hatchets? What could I do to clean it up a bit? There's some crud on the handle, and it was clearly too close to a fire at some point. The handle is very slightly burned just below the head. I'd enjoy refurbishing the thing somewhat, a nice little project. Same goes for the sheath, it definitely needs a good cleaning. Just not too sure as to where/how to start. Of course, it'll need to be sharpened too. Lots to learn.
Let me know what you think-
Thanks,
Steve



 
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Sweet score. That looks like a mean little kindling hatchet.

For the handle just give it a good sanding with very coarse sandpaper, then apply 3-4 coats of boiled linseed oil to it, and the top haft part in the eye. I'd just use a stone to touch up the edge, it looks pretty good. Then just oil the sheath too and I think you'll be good to go. Seriously cool find.
 
looks to be a newer version maybe made by Snow & Nealley. looks to be in nice shape.
 
Nice hatchet, I agree probably made by Snow & Nealley. That one's in good shape.
 
Cool, thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to working on it and using this thing, should be fun.
 
One more question.
Just started sanding the handle and I've noticed a tiny amount of play between the handle and the head of the hatchet. I mean really minuscule, but there is some movement. What should I do about that?
 
The handle came out pretty nice, I'm happy with it. It's nice and smooth, and that burned section at the top looks much better in person than in this photo, it's not quite that dark anymore. I tapped in the wedge and let it sit in the boiled linseed oil for a couple of days and the head feels pretty solid now. Next step is to get rid of the surface rust. Wire brush for that?


For the sheath, I actually just scraped off that white gunk with a pocketknife blade and used some automotive leather cleaner/conditioner I had. Looks pretty good.
Thanks for the advice on taking care of the handle, guys. Much appreciated.
 
For that little amount of rust I would just use 0000 steel wool. That will preserve the original paint still there and provide the best looking finish. If that doesn't get rid of the rust, then you can try more aggressive methods.
 
Good advice from Halfaxe. And nice hang on that hatchet.

FWIW, I prefer to clean up the axe head and finish the handle before the two are reassembled. It just seems easier/cleaner that way.
 
On the leather treatment, lots of folks have different opinions, but I recently tried Obenauf's on some old, 60+ year old stacked leather knives and sheaths that were DRY!!! After just a couple of treatments, limberness and softness began to return. Won't fix cuts or tears, obviously, but otherwise it's working well. I have some Skidmore's on order (similar product, different formulation) to test. When I harvest my honey later, I'l have some pure fresh beeswax to try (primary ingredient in O and S).

As a tracking mechanism, my moisture meter pegged "new, unused" leather at 6-7%. The old stuff was all reading 0%. After 2 weeks of daily light treatments, one of the sheaths registered 1% today.
 
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