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Small hatchet from Lowes
- Thread starter sodak
- Start date
You don’t have a hatchet?? It’s such a relief to hear you finally do. Crisis narrowly averted, don’t be without one again.
I sharpen my hatchets (note the plural, nowhere near down to my last one) with a bastard file. Figure out a clamping method to hold it firmly horizontal, mine includes some angle iron in a vise.
Then split some kindling and scratch that thing up!
Parker
I sharpen my hatchets (note the plural, nowhere near down to my last one) with a bastard file. Figure out a clamping method to hold it firmly horizontal, mine includes some angle iron in a vise.
Then split some kindling and scratch that thing up!
Parker
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 26,251
I'm gonna' hazard a guess that it's an epoxied head. Those sorts of collars are usually to create a seal to prevent drip-through when epoxying the eye.
Hickory n steel
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2016
- Messages
- 21,151
Hopefully it proves to be decent enough.
If you're not happy with this buy the Vaughan & Bushnell camp hatchet for about the same price, it's American made and the steel is great.
If you're not happy with this buy the Vaughan & Bushnell camp hatchet for about the same price, it's American made and the steel is great.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 2,275
Well, Seems like you were in need and now are able to relax the search a bit, figure out what you really like. Maybe you’ll never look farther or maybe you will.
I’d sand that varnish off the head and bring it to about 600 grit with the orbit sander and then sharpen it. That clear finish heats up as you chop and will weld the head into a log if you try to split it. It also makes for much more friction. Sanding to almost mirror polish helps with friction considerably.
I normally sharpen with an 8” file. Not sure the cut, finer than a bastard I think though. Anyways the way I sharpen is to set with my foot on my knee. Right foot on left knee. And using my boot heel for a rest, file it. Sounds odd. But it is much easier than trying to clamp it because you have to repeatedly flip it to remove the burr.
Of course I have a handle on my file. Never use a file without a handle for safety and control. A piece of wood with a hole in it for the tang is what I use. Simple.
I’d sand that varnish off the head and bring it to about 600 grit with the orbit sander and then sharpen it. That clear finish heats up as you chop and will weld the head into a log if you try to split it. It also makes for much more friction. Sanding to almost mirror polish helps with friction considerably.
I normally sharpen with an 8” file. Not sure the cut, finer than a bastard I think though. Anyways the way I sharpen is to set with my foot on my knee. Right foot on left knee. And using my boot heel for a rest, file it. Sounds odd. But it is much easier than trying to clamp it because you have to repeatedly flip it to remove the burr.
Of course I have a handle on my file. Never use a file without a handle for safety and control. A piece of wood with a hole in it for the tang is what I use. Simple.
How is the bit? Is it crazy thick? I've seen some hardware store axes that look more like crowbars than axes. I hope you don't have to do a lot of filing.