Sheet Metal Hatchet Sheath???? Is it a good idea??

jeremy1517

jeremy1517

Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
1,036
I have an old, unique hatchet that I need a sheath for:

axe.jpg

My family owns a heating and AC company and I have plenty of access to scrap sheet metal. I was thinking about making a sheath for the hatchet out of sheet metal. My thought is to cut strip of metal and fold it over the blade edge of the hatchet, I'm thinking of having about two inches of metal on each side of the blade. Then I will cut the metal to shape and use little pop rivets where needed. My thought was to put duck tape or something on the outside and edges. I would probably use a paracord strap. I'm thinking of ideas for this.

Do you all think using metal as a sheath would be bad or harm the edge?

Several thoughts I've had were to put duck tape on both sides of the metal. I've also thought about using adheasive and gluing fabric to the inside of the sheath so the axe never touches metal.

What do you think, is using metal a stupid idea. I'm just thinking that it would be free.
 
If you're worried epoxy a rubber strip into it, no blade damage.

You can look up Pulaski covers to get an idea of what the metal covers look like.

Great idea, it's not new, I preferred the metal covers over the crappy plastic ones.
 
I've used copper tubing to line my sheaths in the past. I think metal sheaths or even better, metal-lined sheaths are a great idea. You won't find metal harder than most good axe or hatchet blades, so the metal lining will wear out faster and not damage the edge of the blade. Excellent protection though. Probably can't be beat for safety. It sounds like you have the skills to come up w/ an excellent design. A leather or fabric exterior conforms to the body better. I would limit the metal to protecting the softer material. I thought my cper tubing was good. It sounds like you've put a lot more thought into it.
 
Neat idea. Post a picture or two if you decide to make it.

Edge protectors are not so much to protect the edge but to protect other stuff from the edge.
 
Do I need anything on the inside of the metal sheath? I want to cover the outside so it's not all shinny.

The only reason I would put anything on the inside is to protect the hatchet, but I don't think sheet metal will hurt it.

I'm thinking about spraying the outside of the sheath with some of the textured Rustolium spray paint.
 
You could use a softer material (rubber) to support the area behind the edge. Make the rubber thicker about 1/4" away from the edge, it would prevent the edge from making it all the way into the sheath. It's just an idea, but it's worth consideration.
Good luck, and show pics when you make it.
 
You could put some rubber inner tube to use inside a sheet metal sheath. Anchor it by sandwiching it with rivets along the sharp edge side. Use another strap of it to secure the sheath over the axe.
 
That's how my father used to make his axe sheaths fold over a piece of sheet metal and attach a spring to hold it on never had any problems with the edges .
 
Bo T said:
Neat idea. Post a picture or two if you decide to make it.

Edge protectors are not so much to protect the edge but to protect other stuff from the edge.
Click to expand...

Bo T is right. You don't need to protect the axe edge. It should be very hard. Protect the rest of the sheath from the axe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top