Hatchet Maintenance

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Apr 29, 2006
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OK, I have a backpacking trip coming up so I pulled out my GF Wildlife Hatchet.

Gaak! :eek: :eek:

The thing was dull, minor chips, and light rust to the head and edge.
Gouges and blood stains to the wood handle.
A dried out sheath to boot.

Last used on a very large Whitetail last Fall, before that, a couple of camping trips... yep, she was done rode hard and put away wet. :thumbdn:

So, I hit the head with some steel wool, sandpaper, and my DMT 10x4 Fine/X Fine plate.
The handle went through two courses of sandpaper.

After everything was cleaned off I applied a combo of mineral oil and Antiquax to the hatchet and wax only to the sheath.
A fresh paracord lanyard got put on as well.

Now it is sharp as sheet and great looking again. :D
Man, I LOVE these things (have a Mini too).

Two questions then:

There is still a decent gouge out of the wood behind the heel on the handle.
To help prevent future damage there I would like to wrap the top two inches or so with paracord or wire.

What do you guys suggest on a how to for this mod?
First choice being not using a tack into the handle to start and finish the wrap but I realize it may be necessary.
Also, I am not concerned about changing the balance.

Next, although the wedge is tight and the haft fills the eye as well as when I got it new, should I do a preventive soak of the head ?

Thanks for any info, much appreciated!

:)
 
Last edited:
Do you know how to whip the end of a rope? You can do the same thing which would prevent the need for a tack of any sort. Both ends of the cord are pulled inside the wrap, keeping them tight and wrapped away.

Try a google or youtube search if you don't already know how.

EDITED to add:
check out the diagram about 1/3 of the way down this page:
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/knots.htm
 
siguy said:
Do you know how to whip the end of a rope? You can do the same thing which would prevent the need for a tack of any sort. Both ends of the cord are pulled inside the wrap, keeping them tight and wrapped away.

Try a google or youtube search if you don't already know how.

EDITED to add:
check out the diagram about 1/3 of the way down this page:
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/knots.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! :thumbup:

I will try that knot, looks simple enough.
Maybe something sticky underneath the paracord to help keep it from creeping?

How about soaking the head in water?
 
rather than a cord-wrap, i would put some wood glue in the dented/scratched areas. it will harden up and then you can sand off any excess.

I wouldnt soak the head at all untill it becomes a problem. soaking it will cause the wood to expand, and then contract. This could actually cause the head to come loose. I think soaking the head is only a method for a temporary fix if, say, you are out in the woods and the head is getting loose, then you could soak it in the creek and then the hatchet should tighten up for long enough to get you through the trip.

however, if you are worried about the handle filling the eye, direct some boiled liseed oill into the eye/haft area then the wood should absorb the oil and things should get a little tighter. I did this to tighten up a stick tang knife and it worked well, so i would assume that is would work for an axe.
 
Thanks for the help so far. :)

I am going to hold off on soaking the head.

Does anyone have pics of their ax/hatchet wrapped at the neck?
Just trying to cushion and prevent damage from glancing blows.
 
maybe get a thick peiceof bike innertube. would be pretty easy, and you wouldnt need to worrt about tying it off.
 
Some guys put on a wrap of friction tape before cord wrapping.

You may want to ask about cord wrapping on the axe/tomahawk forum. i have seen a lot of tomahawks with cord wrap under the head.
 
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