Hatchet and Sheep Shear Knife Combo (pic heavy)

[church&son]

This set started when I saw a man at a local Renaissance with his hatchet in a pistol holster. Didn’t fit very well and he had cut off the bottom for the handle but it stuck in my mind. So one night I started stitching up a "Hatchet Holster". Then I thought of adding a blade but making the sheath removable from the hatchet in case you just needed it.

This Knife is half of a set of Burgon & Ball sheep shears acquired in a trade. B & B has been in business since 1730 in Sheffeild England. This pair was cracked in the center so I finished cutting them apart, added a handle from another broken knife and a little pewter and rawhide wrap holds it all together. The patent # stamped on the blade dates back to 1830 and they are still working on the same pat. If it works, leave it alone. Sheath is leather from an old leather traveling bag, the hang up kind. Stitched in linen with a twisted fringe welt. I hardened the leather by using an medieval technique called “cuirboilli” or water hardening.

The hatchet is a Stanley, 3 bucks from the flea market and was only the head. I found the haft in the barn, fit it, scorched it, scraped it, waxed it and added the rawhide wrap. No stain. The head was in good shape, all that was done was steel wooling with bluing and oil and cleaning up the bevels. Leather is same as Sheep Shear Knife, no dye on either. The water hardening turned it this color. Both were treated with Beeswax.

Could not find a model today, old smoothbore works

It's been a long winter but these "Wintertime Blues" projects have been fun.....Randy

 

[Pipeman]

Hey Randy, nice lookin set. I like your style very much. Do you wet your fringe when you twist it? I call them Rasta fringes ;-)
I know what you mean about wintertime blues. Some good lookin work comes out of it at times.

Best regards

Robin

 

[church&son]

Thanks Robin, the “cuirboilli” technique involves 180 degree water and rapid dehydration, so I twisted the Rasta fringes(I like that) as they dried......Randy

 

[Pipeman]

I really like the sheep shear knife too. I'll have to come out of hibernation soon and get to my junk and antique store sources. Someone gave me tree big millsaw blades probably L7 I think, lots of blades and hawks in them. Another friend has a plazma cutter so I'm hoping to go wild shortly ;-))

Best regards

Robin

 

[Loosearrow]

Very interesting. I like the primitive look.

 

[Dusty One]

Great looking work....Thanks for all the photos....The knife was a great idea....

 

[church&son]

Thanks Gentlemen, The "Wintertime Blues" series has been a good way to keep partial sanity during the short daylight hours, go to work and back in the dark, no power at the forge, so remodeling old stuff and sheath work keeps me from turning the remainder of my brain to jelly watching TV.
I thought this combo might be heavy and awkward so I wore it Sun. afternoon while piddling at the forge, it was comfortable and very useful. I chopped some charcoal with the hatchet, cut down some vines and cut a hide out of the frame with the blade, the chisel grind takes some getting used to but I was very impressed with the combo. I believe I will add a small hatchet to the back of my shooting bag...........Randy

 

[Loosearrow]

This set started when I saw a man at a local Renaissance with his hatchet in a pistol holster. Didn’t fit very well and he had cut off the bottom for the handle but it stuck in my mind. So one night I started stitching up a "Hatchet Holster". Then I thought of adding a blade but making the sheath removable from the hatchet in case you just needed it.

This Knife is half of a set of Burgon & Ball sheep shears acquired in a trade. B & B has been in business since 1730 in Sheffeild England. This pair was cracked in the center so I finished cutting them apart, added a handle from another broken knife and a little pewter and rawhide wrap holds it all together. The patent # stamped on the blade dates back to 1830 and they are still working on the same pat. If it works, leave it alone. Sheath is leather from an old leather traveling bag, the hang up kind. Stitched in linen with a twisted fringe welt. I hardened the leather by using an medieval technique called “cuirboilli” or water hardening.

The hatchet is a Stanley, 3 bucks from the flea market and was only the head. I found the haft in the barn, fit it, scorched it, scraped it, waxed it and added the rawhide wrap. No stain. The head was in good shape, all that was done was steel wooling with bluing and oil and cleaning up the bevels. Leather is same as Sheep Shear Knife, no dye on either. The water hardening turned it this color. Both were treated with Beeswax.

Could not find a model today, old smoothbore works

It's been a long winter but these "Wintertime Blues" projects have been fun.....Randy

The sheath for the hatchet would be interesting for a hawk. Did you sew in a welt? I have actually used sheep shears like that in New Mexico as a kid. No electricity available where I grew up. The shears can make some nasty cuts on the sheep if you are not careful. How do you like the edge holding on the shear knife? Did you have to temper the steel on the blade? I put a new handle on an old Western hunters axe this fall, replaced it with wood. Your axe sheath style would work great. Maybe sew in a small sheath on the side for a small knife. It would look like a primitive trapper butchering package. Nice Regards

 

[church&son]

Did you sew in a welt?

Yes, the welt is only about 3/8 " wide,just enough to protect the stitching. On the knife sheath the welt is the fringe,

How do you like the edge holding on the shear knife? Did you have to temper the steel on the blade?

The chisel grind takes some getting used to but I like it. I carry a "Kiridashi" in my pocket at work to cut cardboard and shipping tape. No, I done nothing to the blade except clean it up some and sharpen with a stone, scary sharp.

Maybe sew in a small sheath on the side for a small knife. It would look like a primitive trapper butchering package

I have started on another that will have a skinner, butcher and 'hawk together with a fire starter bag. Thanks.....Randy