Recommendation? Help with Estwing Purchase?

Minnesota Man

Minnesota Man

Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
848
Hey fellas, I enjoy axes, hatches, and especially 'hawks. My main addiction is knives as to I'm more knowledgeable. That being said my local gun show has a guy selling an Estwing hatchet with a small poll, American made, stacked leather (semi- dry but salvageable handle scales), full metal construction, NO sheath and a fairly uneven grind.

I have some ability to fix her up with files and a lansky puck. I don't have the proper electric grinding equipment or skill. I have a WSKEO and a blade grinding attachment but don't trust myself with this old piece.
My two questions are.
A: Do you guys know the intended use of such a tool?

B: I'm pretty sure I know the answer. ..... is something like that worth the asking price of 15$?
Tomorrow is the last day of the show and usually guys sell stuff much cheaper so they don't have to load it back up.

I know it's only 15$ but money is tight and I'm already kicking myself for walking away.
Any thoughts besides "shit what's 15$?

BTW: couldn't take pics without promoting an unauthorized dealer.
 
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Eh, I personally don't think the steel is that great but I love the look of them. I even have an Estwing trim hammer with the stacked leather handle.
If I were you and had the tools and the ability to bring her back to life, I think she'd make a nice winter project.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
Eh, I personally don't think the steel is that great but I love the look of them. I even have an Estwing trim hammer with the stacked leather handle.
If I were you and had the tools and the ability to bring her back to life, I think she'd make a nice winter project.
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Any idea on steel used? You know (generally) what the intended use is? And what I'm describing?

Thank you for time!
 
I dont know the steel used in the hatchet, but their hammers are top notch, I run a construction company and thats all we have used since i was young. Eastwing makes good stuff.

To me I'd buy new as they are only $35-50. Unless of course its special in some way.
 
Boxer .45 said:
I dont know the steel used in the hatchet, but their hammers are top notch, I run a construction company and thats all we have used since i was young. Eastwing makes good stuff.

To me I'd buy new as they are only $35-50. Unless of course its special in some way.
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Thanks, as far as I know it isn't special. To me personally it's a piece on a vendors table. It's defiantly old but old doesn't mean valuable. And that's not my goal. Can I buy one new with leather stacked handle? I've with zero effort only seen the common rubber(?) handled.
 
Google Eastwing Hatchet and it should come up, may have to click on for sale tab at top. Prices range $35-60 and can be found at most hardware stores that carry Eastwing products like Ace or HDepot/Lowes.
 
JJ's right, they sell them every day. I just wonder if it's older and has better steel than the ones made today.
I still think it'd be a good winter project. Try to knock him down to ten bucks. Last day of the sale and he might not want to pack it home.
 
Uncle Timbo said:
JJ's right, they sell them every day. I just wonder if it's older and has better steel than the ones made today.
I still think it'd be a good winter project. Try to knock him down to ten bucks. Last day of the sale and he might not want to pack it home.
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The show is at my local American Legion. After I made my rounds I was having a beer (4-5) and was telling my older buddy about my mixed feelings and he went and talked to the vendor. He felt like he'd knock the price down. He buys, sells, and trades with the best of them (not knife stuff, doesn't get my passion). The dealer wouldn't even go to 12$

The show for today ended at 5 at 5:06 I went back to see if the dude was there. He left. I don't want to kick myself in the ass tomorrow...
 
The steel used in Estwing hatchets is 1060. They were run on the soft side. My edge kept curling, during use so what I did was gave it a long cryogenic treatment. Which brought the hardness up. Then set the edge bevel at 21-22*. Then thinned the face. This hatchet is now working for me. DM
 
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They are nice in that they are indestructable. Like Boxer.45 stated, their hammer are sweet as well. I worked on a 3 man crew building pole barns back in the 70's. I rocked a 28oz Estwing with a waffle head. I was driving 60 penny ring shaft nails.
But like I said, I have a 16oz Estwing trim hammer with the stacked leather handle. I just love stacked leather handles.

 
The metal handles tend to transmit more shock the hand than wood handles do. And Estwing's hatchets tend to be a bit on the slim side making them fine for specific fine tasks but not very good for general duty hatchet work.

All Estwing's stuff is tough as nails - really well made.


Minnesota Man said:
and a fairly uneven grind.
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This suggests a well worn old tool. If you feel like fixing it up and have the time on your hands then offer to buy it at a discounted price.

And I should ask, what do you want it for? Maybe we can suggest something better.
 
I really don't need it and I own a few other hatchets but.... I generally pick up something at our local shows and the hatchet felt like it was calling to me.

I am aware that not a ton of money is involved. I'm really trying to figure out what it's intended use is?

It is a well used tool for sure yet, I can most likely bring it back to life.
 
Square_peg said:
The metal handles tend to transmit more shock the hand than wood handles do.
Click to expand...

While this is true. The leather does reduce the vibration a good per cent and helps with the pounding. The tool is so dependable
it makes it worth having. Then after correcting the face it will perform much better. DM
 
I think we all knew that I'd go back when the show opened. Here's what I came back with.......
 
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