Does anyone have opinions on full tang hatchets? I have some wide flat steel that came from an old concrete saw blade and wanted to make a full tang hatchet out of it. Do I need full handles that run the length to make it stiff enough just below the head? Also, is it a good idea to make stuff this size with a double bit? I'm planning on an overall length of about 18 inches, with blade edges in the 5-6 inch range, maybe 4.5". I have to sketch it out and see which one I like better. The steel thickness is about 1/8 to 5/32 inchr range. I had it hardness tested and its in the 45 to 50 range. I'll have to ask the guy that did the testing again, as I keep forgetting to write it down. I dont do much camping, but between this and my M2 puukko, I should be set for cutting gear.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Some Hatchet/Small Axe Questions
- Thread starter me2
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Messages
- 854
1/8 is a little thin for a hatchet...what kind of steel?
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Messages
- 221
the old western hatchets were flat stock like that. if you have the means to do it, go for it and let us know how it goes. sounds like it would be very packable and light. and a chopping beast too. give er a go and let us know. good luck
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2005
- Messages
- 3,516
I made a few of these from an old saw blade, cut with a plasma torch. (not mine, I wish!)
I made 4, the steel is 1/8'', but one I chopped with and it snapped off at the shaft, just under the head. I guess I need to temper them a bit in the oven, but they need a bit more cleaning up first. The weight and balance seems pretty decent on them right now, without handles.
I made 4, the steel is 1/8'', but one I chopped with and it snapped off at the shaft, just under the head. I guess I need to temper them a bit in the oven, but they need a bit more cleaning up first. The weight and balance seems pretty decent on them right now, without handles.