Need some advice on materials..

G

Ghostin

Joined
Jun 11, 2020
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3
A few years back I bought this small survival / camping hatchet. It's made out of 440 steel and it's about 10 in Long. It wasn't very expensive but it was a cool little hatchet. I figured it would be pretty cool to make my a couple of these for my daughters who like to camp and hike.

I already basically have the template but I'm having a hard time locating the right size of steel plate. I need something roughly 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick. I'm leaning on trying something at quarter inch think just for a little bit extra weight. I also need it to be about 4 in wide and about 12 in Long in order for me to make the template. Should I stay with a 440 steel or is there something that would be more appropriate? and where would be the best place to acquire it?

Anyhelp you can give is much appreciated.
 
A car leaf spring would work great.

I suggest buying a couple of real hatchets though as what you're wanting to copy is really nothing more than a hatchet shaped knife and especially in this size range will not preform even remotely as well as a real hatchet.

I would probably check out the new Council tools flying fox, or seems to be great size smaller hatchet, it will absolutely blow this thing out of the water.
 
Ghostin said:
A few years back I bought this small survival / camping hatchet. It's made out of 440 steel and it's about 10 in Long. It wasn't very expensive but it was a cool little hatchet. I figured it would be pretty cool to make my a couple of these for my daughters who like to camp and hike.

I already basically have the template but I'm having a hard time locating the right size of steel plate. I need something roughly 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick. I'm leaning on trying something at quarter inch think just for a little bit extra weight. I also need it to be about 4 in wide and about 12 in Long in order for me to make the template. Should I stay with a 440 steel or is there something that would be more appropriate? and where would be the best place to acquire it?

Anyhelp you can give is much appreciated.
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It would be cool for your girls to have something their Dad made. But I agree with HnS about the effectiveness of this style hatchet/knife.

Why not restore a couple of cool vintage hatches for them?
 
Jarod Todd Heat treating is able to cut steel to a pattern, it would be worth looking there. Look up custom knife blanks or message him with questions. He was working on a hawk design at one point, you may be able to get one of those still. His username here is @JTknives. He has some 80CRV2 in 0.264" thickness that would work well for this project if you carry on with it. You can have it cut and heat treated and ready to finish right from him at reasonable prices, IMO.

https://www.jarodtodd.com/
 
Hello,

I agree that something that Papa made will be "super cool" , but I also agree with the other posters that suggest a commercial offering.

My suggestion will be for the little Gerber Back-Pax , I have found it to be very good , and it does not cost an arm and a leg.

Keep well.

Cheers.
 
I have seen plate steel at big box farm stores. Some place like Tractor Supply, Rural King, Lowes or Home Depot may have have enough to do what you want without enduring shipping costs. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
 
Peck Price said:
I have seen plate steel at big box farm stores. Some place like Tractor Supply, Rural King, Lowes or Home Depot may have have enough to do what you want without enduring shipping costs. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
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What you see is mild steel.
You can theoretically case harden it, but beyond that it is not suitable for blade making.
 
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