New Here - Couple Free Hatchets

I

Idkx

Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
34
Hello All, I am 100% new here (and to the hobby). Today I got a couple hatchets from my In Laws that were hanging in the garage of a house they recently purchased.

The Claw one says True Temper Rustless, the other I cant see any markings right off..Tomorrow I'll look again.

Any suggestions on what to do with these? (Would be appreciated). Just want to make sure I dont mess up lol. I'd like to try and restore them.

Thank you!

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Those are nice. Never heard of a True Temper Rustless before, that one might require something different. I'd start by cutting off the handles and driving out the piece that remains in the eye, using a large bolt or something as a drift. Normally a soak in white vinegar for a few days will remove/loosen the rust but I'd defer to someone else about whether doing that to a Rustless tool would be wise, not sure if it's made of stainless or had some kind of coating. Anyway after cleaning them up you can rehandle them and sharpen up. I'll look forward to more pictures as you progress.
 
Thanks Vintage! I'll try and get some better pictures up today. Looking forward to this, thank you for the advice.

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Unless that just says PLUMB maybe.. saw something similar while searching.. just not in same spot on head.
 
Update 1- I have removed the handle from the Unknown guy. I've spent a good 35 mins trying to get the eye cleared. It looks like along the way they drove nails down in there to tighten it up. Almost looks like staples too.. I'm having to drill, hammer, and needle nose little pieces at a time. Taking forever but maybe it will eventually break loose or allow me to get a good grip on some pieces.

Will post pics once its out.
 
I wouldn't use vinegar, it will remove the rust but they will turn an ugly shade of gray and all the years of patina will be gone. A liberal coating of WD40 and let it sit overnight. A brass brush attached to your drill will remove the rust and preserve patina as long as you don't get too aggressive.
Let's see some pictures when you are done, that's a nice true temper:thumbsup:
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A smashed thumb, broken hand from pulling and my pliers slipping off making the back of my hand meet the end of one of my clamps, and a bit of cursing later:

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She is clear:

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To me it does look like this, still cant make out the marking but same place and shape as this one:

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I do have a brass wire wheel/drill attachment somewhere. Should I run it over a bit and see what it looks like?
 
Mm seems to scratch, or is that normal? Just hit it enough to knock the rust off, hardly any pressure:
Just tested a spot on bottom side
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Definitely a Plumb. WD40 and very little pressure won't scratch it, those marks on the bottom may be left over from the manufacturering process. Test it on the bit or poll.

Idkx said:
Awesome! Thanks Everyone, I did a quick scrub down and this is where it's at currently:

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Click to expand...
 
Spot on Rockman, it seems it was just that spot. I am holding off until I can run to town to get a new brush(this ones worn pretty good) and some wd40. Unless PB blaster will work just the same?

Thanks Guys
 
PB blaster will work. Looking forward to seeing them cleaned up, both are quality old hatchets :thumbsup:
 
Thank you, they have another hanging higher up. I'm gonna try and get it too lol. They offered it but I didnt want to take all of em at once. It looks more like a tomahawk. Also has a ton of old wood working tools. I'll try and get some pics next time I go over.
 
Maybe clean one up, put a new handle on it and give it back to them as a keepsake. Sounds like fun going through the old tools and picking some out for yourself. Thanks for sharing.
 
I had actually thought about that! What's the best place to find some handle material? Hickory I'm guessing. Not sure If HD/Lowes Carries that... a 2x2 and a ton of elbow should hopefully do lol
 
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