Refurb of my True Temp Tomahawk Hatchet

jeremy1517 · Mar 30, 2014

Earlier, I started a thread about what I should do with my True Temper Tomahawk Hatchet.

What should I do to refinish or refurbish the hatchet?

I have a premium 14" handle from Handle house but I'm hesitant to put it on. The reason is I love how thin the original handle is on the hatched. The Tommy has it's original handle and I can still see the writing "True Temper, Fire hardened" on it. A previous owner must have miss hit and there are nicks just under the head on the handle. On the bottom of the handle there is a little chunk missing from one corner. It kinda bothers me but not bad. The head is in good shape. No pitting. No nicks in the edge. It needs to be sharpened.

I would like to use the hatchet, unless it is highly collectable.

What refurb do I need to do? Sand the handle and add blo? Should I mess with the head or just sharpen it?

What do you all think?

Bo T · Mar 30, 2014

I bought one in about the same shape that yours is for $10 a couple of years ago. I do not think these are especially collectable in this condition. This hatchet is a great kindling hatchet. If you need a heavier one perhaps you can trade for or pick up a larger head that would work for your premium handle?

Joe L. Bachs · Mar 31, 2014

I just sold one one the big auction site for +$50, the collectibility/value of these and the tommy axes seems to be growing lately.

Windwhistler · Mar 31, 2014

I found after reading these forums that I was using three True Tempers. One Perfect Jersey Felling Axe, One Kelly, Charleston WV, Boys axe and one 1960's vintage hatchet. I am not retiring any of them. They were dad's and I used them all my life. I do plan to be more careful about root cutting etc and buy a decent but probably not American made felling axe for the more damaging but still necessary tasks. I have just rehung the Perfect Jersey and would have done it better had I known what I had. Anyway, I'd use him but maybe be more conscious of what you have.

Square_peg · Mar 31, 2014

I find that these are nice heads with good metal and heat treat but that the stock handles are too short for the relatively heavy hatchet head. I think the head is about 1.75-2.0 pounds because of that substantial poll. Good weight for a house axe. It just needs a bit longer handle, like 17"-19".

That handle is good enough that I would normally save it. I'm torn between keeping it original and making it a better tool with a longer handle. You decide, or flip a coin.

If you decide to keep it together then I would still rehang it. It's obviously slipped a bit. Do you know how to remove the wedge without harming the haft? As for finish, I wouldn't sand it (spot sanding OK). You'd lose the stamp. Just give it a few coats of tung oil or BLO. I'd use tung on that because the haft appears to be pretty sound already. It just needs to be sealed. Or you could give it some BLO first and then seal it with tung. BLO is better at penetrating and rejuvenating. Tung is better at sealing and protecting.

jeremy1517 · Mar 31, 2014

I will probably rehang it with a longer handle. I can't see, to find good handles at my local hardware stores. I've ordered from Handle House several times but I'm not happy with them right now. I ordered a premium 18" axe handle three weeks ago and called today because I hadn't received it. They told me they haven't cut it yet.

I need to weigh the head. It doesn't see, to weigh 1.75 - 2 lbs but I'm probably wrong. I like how slim the head is.

Square_peg · Apr 2, 2014

I have found some decent 19" house axe handles at Do-It-Best Hdwe. The eye is larger than you need but you can shave it down.

WarnerB · Apr 3, 2014

A lot of times you'll find that choosing a handle for a "tomahawk" or hatchet-size axe head is hit or miss. I suggest getting a good handheld rasp to shape your handles how you want them. Most of the handles from House Handle need to be slightly reshaped, and a rasp is a good tool for that.
I'd go with a 18" to 20" handle depending on the weight of the axe head. But the length lies on the kind of balance you're going for. A lot of it is trial and error. Expect to junk a few new handles in order to get the hang of your personal preference for length and balance.

EDIT: it's hard to tell how big that head is. If it's smaller than I think it is, you should keep the handle short like a hatchet (14" or so). But if it's big/heavy enough to be a camp axe, shoot for a 23"-25" handle.