started cleaning up a hatchet today - BIG SURPRISE!

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
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I found this unmarked hatchet at the flea market for $3 and tested it with a file, it skated on the edge and bit good further back. Haft was broken inside the head, but I my try something out with it.

The before is untouched, "barn fresh" condition. Sorry about the crappy pic...

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And this is after a couple of hours with some 220 emory paper, a small rubber sanding block and TONS of elbow grease! I started off with the brass wire wheel to get the paint and rust off, then re profiled the edge to remove the chips with the #150 stone on the bench grinder. Used a very large coarse cut file to smooth out the face of the poll and get rid of most of the mushrooming. All corners are chamfered.

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The head weighs 1lb 6.65oz. This weight should make a good chopper, it has nice thin bevels and decent edge geometry at the moment. I will finalize the edge last. I may etch some designs into the head, add some paint here and there, just have fun with it. I like doing stuff like this.

I will update periodically with more photos as I progress. Then I will put in the "hawk and knife combo" thread, even though it ain't a 'hawk.


Cheers
-Xander
 
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Pipeman said:
Great looking head, love the profile, nice clean up job Xander.

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

Yeah I too liked the shape, and for $3 how can I go wrong?! I just picked up a new haft today for $5.49 at my local ACE. When I was in there I noticed they sell Collins axes and hatchets. they have a nice little 1.25lbs camp hatchet and a double bit 3.5lbs axe. reasonable $$$ too.

I am going to get back to sanding on this one here in a bit, got some ideas to make it all snazzy!


-Xander
 
Thanx guys! Tonight after the wife and child go to bed I'll get back to sanding. Now if I can just find my headphones.


-Xander
 
HELP!!!! WHY DID I DECIDE TO HAND SAND A HATCHET?! Ok, I know I am my own worst enemy. But someone could of warned me!

Alright, progress update. Working on 500# now. I think this is as far as ill take it, maybe some 1um diamond paste on the edge, but that's not that big of a deal.

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I have been touching up the edge bevels with a fine stone to keep the transition nice and sharp as I sand, but don't worry the cutting edge isn't sharp yet. Thank god for cafiene, I don't think I would have the energy to finish this otherwise...


-Xander

Sand, sand, sand...


Still sanding...
 
Well guys, I sure got a big surprise when I started to get a smooth finish on this hatchet. It has a hamon! I guess now ill keep sanding then polish and etch to really make it pop. Original plan was to get a perfect 500# finish which would be easy to touch up, but now looks like I am going to go all the way to 2500# and polish. I was a little skeptical about it being a hamon but the guys over in shop talk confirmed it is a hamon. This thing sure will be pretty when I get it done!

Not the best pic of it so far, but you can see it there. It has nice activity on both sides.

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Now I just have to decide on some fancy handle treatments to match it! I'm thinking a light walnut stain, tru-oil finish and some strategic stippling for grip. Maybe a brass butt cap or a skeletonized grip cap inletted like on fine rifle stocks. I have been looking at som of the fancy hawk handles, but those are all frontier style, I am thinking more like a fine rifle. Make sense?

I now have new motivation for hand sanding! Back at it, sand, sand, sand.


-Xander
 
What an Amazing find! A hamon on a hatchet that seems almost to good to be true. I know you already stated that it was umarked but you should definetly do some research into the origins of this hatchet, i bet not to many were made of this quality when it was made. Do you have any idea of the date of birth for this hatchet?

Also just an idea for the handle, i cant remember where i saw this but i have seen a few hatchets with dark walnut with a silver wire inlay. the silver wire has great contrast and can be used to create great designs. You can also use 18ct gold wire as well.
 
snorkem said:
What an Amazing find! A hamon on a hatchet that seems almost to good to be true. I know you already stated that it was umarked but you should definetly do some research into the origins of this hatchet, i bet not to many were made of this quality when it was made. Do you have any idea of the date of birth for this hatchet?

Also just an idea for the handle, i cant remember where i saw this but i have seen a few hatchets with dark walnut with a silver wire inlay. the silver wire has great contrast and can be used to create great designs. You can also use 18ct gold wire as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah I am pretty stoked about it! I did look the head over several times and there were no marking visible. My best bet to find out who made it is from the shape and color of paint on the head. It is not old, I think less than 10 years for sure and likely less than 5 years. The haft still had a paper safety warning label on it. The edge was in good shape, never sharpened and only had a couple small chips which I ground out.

I was going back and forth with doing wire inlay, but it is more traditional to frontier style. I may still do it, like I said I'm on the fence. I might do some pique work, maybe a brass but plate on the haft, or I might just order an extra cut out grip cap for my latest rifle build and put matching ones on each. I am thinking more along the lines of presentation type embelishment. I may put this with a knife I am making for my father as a woodsmans presentation set. The knife will have a hamon as well, hopefully.

Well now I know why a blade with a hamon is so expensive, it takes a boatload of labor!


-Xander
 
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