So I picked up this hatchet a while back and it needed some work. I studied up on how to put a new handle on but still kinda messed it up. I have seen a few tricks on this site that I wish I would have seen before attempting it. Looks like I might have overworked the bottom of the eye. I got this link family handle and it needed a lot of material removed for it to fit. Is super tight around the sides of Handle but has a bit of a gap at the bottom of the eye towards the blade striking end. I guess my question is what to do about it if anything. Fill it with some type of glue ? Try and get another wedge in there ? Let me know what you think. This was almost a practice run for a norlund camper and full size CM that I’d rather not mess up.
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Stanley hatchet
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Hickory n steel
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Hickory n steel
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I don't think the gap will be a big deal with this riggers axe, but it wouldn't be hard to fill it with a scrap of wood.
Btw I see you've got a Norlund sitting there on your bench, they fetch good money on the bay for some reason.
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cause they have the old wranglerstar seal of approval
Pretty sure that wasn't a rigging axe handle. But if it suits you all is good.
After you drive a wedge in that gap bees wax will hide your mistake and keep the moisture out.
That little axe is in good shape. Still has a sharp waffle face for the most part. It hasn't seen much at all. Probably broke the handle early on using the nail notch. Love finding them like that.
After you drive a wedge in that gap bees wax will hide your mistake and keep the moisture out.
That little axe is in good shape. Still has a sharp waffle face for the most part. It hasn't seen much at all. Probably broke the handle early on using the nail notch. Love finding them like that.
Yes I realized that after I hung it / oops /makes sense having a straighter handle to use both ways - I’ll probably just use it as a hatchet tho and it was more of a practice run for the norlund which I just hung yest. I have more questions too. The Handle was from beaver tooth co for the norlund and it has a waxy finish - what do I do with it to maintain handle. leave it ? Sand and oil ?. What’s the difference between a riggers hatchet and a shingle or roofers hatchet ?Pretty sure that wasn't a rigging axe handle. But if it suits you all is good.
After you drive a wedge in that gap bees wax will hide your mistake and keep the moisture out.
That little axe is in good shape. Still has a sharp waffle face for the most part. It hasn't seen much at all. Probably broke the handle early on using the nail notch. Love finding them like that.
Hickory n steel
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The wranglerstar seal of approval is just because he did a video on one talking about how great it was, which may have contributed to how much people are foolishly willing to pay for these decent at best heads. ( They're not garbage, but much better vintage steel can be had for less )
Now as far as a riggers axe vs a shinglers roofing hatchet there's lots of difference.
A shinglers roofing hatchet has a narrow head and typically holes or a slot that has a particular roofing use which I can't remember.
Then there's what you're probably thinking of which is just a general carpentry half hatchet.
Those are the ones that look similar to what you have but with a poll that's small and octagonal.
This riggers axe you have is something originally designed for the construction of oil riggs If i remember correctly.
They have a framing hammer for a poll and are often used as a framing hammer due to their 28oz head weight and great balance.
In fact the first California framing hammers came from guys removing the cutting bits from riggers axes and welding on rip claws.
As far as the waxy coating you can just sand it off and oil the handle with blo like normal or you can warm the handle up then oil it, because beeswax mixed with blo is a common handle treatment anyways.