Modifying fiskars hatchet handle?

E

Elgatodeacero

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
3,033
I use a GB wildlife hatchet which is a beautiful tool, and I recently
Bought a Fiskars x7 as a spare hatchet. The x7 is very nice for 30 bucks.

However, the end of the handle on the Fiskars is too large and has too much flare which impedes easy use of the hatchet.

I am thinking of melting the end of the handle with a Heat gun or in boiling water so I can reshape.

Has anyone tried this?

Thx.
 
hum, usually a big flare on the handle is what people are seeking... as okto, im curious to know what for application you require a handle with no flare.
 
Hi,

Any use that require or benefits from gripping near the end of the handle.

It's not an issue of wanting no flare, just compare the handle flare in a GB Wildlife hatchet to an x7 and it will
Be obvious.

I take it neither of the commenters have reshape an x7 flare.

This is a personal preference, so please keep posts on topic.

Thx.
 
This is a personal preference, so please keep posts on topic.
Click to expand...


The Guys are asking questions so they are able to help with alternative ideas
And I for one would like to see pictures after you have done with this project
 
Sparky415 said:
The Guys are asking questions so they are able to help with alternative ideas
And I for one would like to see pictures after you have done with this project
Click to expand...

+1 on the pics. Before and after pics would be great. Thanks
 
This is a strange request and would also like to see pictures.
I've never seen this done but I do have an X-7 and looking at it, maybe one could cut off the end, insert a piece of wood inside the handle securing it somehow, then shape it the way you want it.

Maybe if you find yourself an older model then it might fit your needs better, it has a different end to it.
 
I had considered shortening my x7 handle. I was finding the knob catching on the loop on my Carhartt pants.
Potential for modification surely exists...
 
Try taking a file or rasp (or grinder if you're impatient) to the butt end of one of these hatchets to 'soften-out' or trim the corners. For all you know the handles are solid. Integral head plasti-haft jobbies (nevermind that these aren't crafted in China or India) are entirely disposable consumer goods and maybe this ought to be read as a sign to raise your standards.
 
Marbat, great pics - its like handle flare is a style and bigger bell bottoms are coming back!

The old fiskars has a very GB like handle flare, the newer x7 flare is just getting out of control....

Im going to use a heat gun, boiling, and then the ultimate tool - the Dremel! in that order.

The handle is definitely hollow, but the orange grippy part may delaminate on me.....

I have a larger fiskars ax that has survived 10 years of abuse and neglect, so i know these are good quality.

I will report back by the next full moon.
 
Last edited:
300Six said:
... Integral head plasti-haft jobbies (nevermind that these aren't crafted in China or India) are entirely disposable consumer goods and maybe this ought to be read as a sign to raise your standards.
Click to expand...

Well, this sums up my toughts right there...
 
Anyone that says Fiskars axes are poor quality has never used one, they are made in Finland and are extremely durable but reasonably priced. I also have Grandfors Bruks axes, and they are not 4x better than Fiskars.

if you have never modified a Fiskars ax handle please do not feel compelled to add your 2 cents, especially if you have no experience with the product in question.
 
Yeah, don't mind those two...they either way too high or very drunk and seem to be looking for an online fight...that's the feeling I got from them two anyway.
 
marbat said:
Yeah, don't mind those two...they either way too high or very drunk and seem to be looking for an online fight...that's the feeling I got from them two anyway.
Click to expand...

I dunno. I didn't think suggesting to reshape the handle via a rasp or grinder was an inebriated comment, nor was suggesting the purchase of an axe that physically can be altered/customized/re-hung.
 
marbat said:
Yeah, don't mind those two...they either way too high or very drunk and seem to be looking for an online fight...that's the feeling I got from them two anyway.
Click to expand...

It seems to me that a post by someone "either way too high or very drunk" would be obvious. Bad grammar, misspelling, etc. I'd have to be a mind reader to determine their intent.

Bob

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ

What are the rules of BladeForums.com?
This site's been open since late 1998, so we've seen quite a range of behaviors here... but by and large our membership has been self policing and well behaved. We'd like to keep it that way, as such, here are some helpful guidelines on how you should act while you are here.

First & foremost, remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself, in other words, BE NICE. When you are polite to people, they will tend to be polite back to you.

Posting rules
Image Rules
Rules for Selling, Trading & Advertising on BladeForums.com
Warnings, Infractions and Bannings
Where can I find the BladeForums.com Subscriber & User Agreement?
 
300Six said:
I dunno. I didn't think suggesting to reshape the handle via a rasp or grinder was an inebriated comment, nor was suggesting the purchase of an axe that physically can be altered/customized/re-hung.
Click to expand...

The handles are hollow, not solid as you conjectured, but you could certainly grind down the knob from the end to reduce its size. However, they're very good quality as far as modern, widely available, budget-friendly axes go. While I've heard of one or two people managing to break handles on them, it's not easy by any means, and the company replaced them right away. They're sort of the "Glock" version of an Estwing with better geometry.
 
Alright! I apologize, I take it back, I was in the wrong to assume things. Also wish to apologize for the bad grammar and whatever else.
 
only modification i have seen on the Fiskars was done by Old Jimbo. he reshaped the cutting edge bevel.
google Old Jimbo
buzz
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
They're sort of the "Glock" version of an Estwing with better geometry.
Click to expand...
I like that analogy! Every rent-a-cop and bona-fide cop in n. America now carries a Glock and these can be emptied at targets almost akin to working a machine gun but I'll bet 'dying art' traditional armourers never see them. Police and security firm budgets likely toss these out and buy new every 5,000 rounds or 5 years (or so) rather than being bothered trying to maintain or fix them.
Some of the old police issue Webleys, Colts and Smith & Wesson revolvers I have seen over the years look to have reliably served for the lifetime career of the officer to which it had been issued. Unlikely anyone will ever be able to say that about a hi-tech polymer plastic pistol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top