Walters Hatchets

H

halfaxe

Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
1,016
I have carried a hatchet with me every day in the field as a forester for over 30 years. I use it for cutting pickets, corner posts, firewood for lunch, checking for tree soundness and other tasks. I've also had an interest in vintage tools for a long time and I'm constantly looking for the best old tools. For me, Walters Axe company hatchets are 3 out of my top 5 favorite vintage hatchets. The other 2 favorites are a True Temper Tomahawk and a Collins Legitimus. Out of the running is my old Plumb scout hatchet that was also my dads scout hatchet. Although it's a sentimental favorite, I never liked the nail puller notch.

I think Walters hatchets just had superior design and execution. They seemed to take an interest in hatchets and had many models. I like the narrow bits and slim handles with the round knob ends. Small to large the handles are 11, 13, 15, 17 inches. The 17 inch is really a house or hunter axe and is 2 pounds.

DSC00933_zpsfb2c7bf0.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

DSC00932_zpsfe1af2c7.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

The Midget came with a nice double stitched sheath and is a much better tool than the Vaughn Mini which I've used.

DSC00929_zps9e1869eb.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

DSC00927_zpsf469e8de.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

I like the Hudson bay style notch. The 15 inch handle can do a lot of work with such a light head.

DSC00926_zpsf11814f9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

This last one is in my collection and never used, It has the original price sticker of $12.95. I think it is from the 60's approximately. The yellow paint on the handle contains something to make it grip better with a slight roughness. Anyway no other point to this thread except to say I love old Walters hatchets. Any other Walters axe or hatchets out there?
 
Half Axe, I think that would be a reverse of what a Hudson bay would be. A much better design I think. Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like narrow bits with a high centerline.
Sadly I own no Walters hatchets. From what I can see they look great.
Sorry I don't have any Walters to add, but thank you for posting these.
 
Exactly Garry3, narrow bits with a high centerline. I don't think Walters are too common in the USA Square Peg, but worth searching out if you want a good hatchet.
 
I've got four. Lovely axes, I can try to get some pictures up. Axes though, Haven't run across a hatchet yet.
 
I have only one smallish Walter Black Diamond hatchet head waiting to be worked and rehandled. That 15"ish Scout handle looks nice. I had an old very slim handle set aside for that head but now think I might go the route of the Scout.

Nice collection!

Bill
 
I don't own a full size Walters axe but that picture of yours Coop shows what I mean by superior design in Walters axe products. That subtle rounded poll along with the convexed cheeks makes for a beautiful axe.
 
Thanks for your insight, good to hear an informed opinion from where the rubber meets the road.
I converted the $12.95 price tag from the 60's hatchet to 2013 dollars. Wow, it would cost $95.13 in today money. I wonder what other hatchets were selling for at that time when gasoline was 27cents a gallon.
Could Walters have been the "boutique" hatchet of the day?
 


Here's mine. The left one is around 3 1/4 pound I think. The middle is about 2 pounds, and the rightmost handled one is a little under 3 I think. The one without a handle is a nice little one, around 2 pounds I think, but the temper is fouled up. Any ideas on where I could be the bit re worked by a smith or what have you? I have a few others as well, like a really nice Emerson Stevens that needs the same thing.
 
Last edited:
My old double bit, I thought it was a cruiser when I first got it but the handle is too long and the bits are pretty worn, it's about 2.5lbs. The real treat was the super thin original handle, I wish they were all like that these days.
You can barely make out the mark where I gave it a pass with a dremel wire wheel.

64664_10151269026808470_2059616740_n.jpg
 
Visitor I don't know about boutique. I think there was still a lot of axe company competition then. I remember buying record albums for $5 in the 60's also a pair of Levis were about $5. Walters went out of business in the early 70's so it could be one of the last ones.

You sure make nice handles G. That selection shows a wide potential range of Walters axes. Walters seemed to deviate from standard patterns to have their own style.

I like finding old axes like that Liam, especially with an old slim handle. That still looks like it has lots of life left. You saved it just in time.
 
Yeah the handle is quite different. I think one of the edges can be profiled out enough to be decent, and one edge will be left thick for chopping. Haven't seen many db Walters around. Could you imagine buying these new at your local hardware store? :)
 
halfaxe said:
You sure make nice handles G. That selection shows a wide potential range of Walters axes. Walters seemed to deviate from standard patterns to have their own style.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Two of the three ain't quite done-- I just wanted to snap a pic for this thread. Yes, All the walters I see are a bit unique. I like that about them, as well as most of the north eastern companies. Rixford made a lot of distinctly unique axes as well, as did all the the maine companies. That's why I like them all compared to the more rudimentary axes from the big manufactures (good as they were nonetheless).
 
Visitor I don't know about boutique. I think there was still a lot of axe company competition then. I remember buying record albums for $5 in the 60's also a pair of Levis were about $5. Walters went out of business in the early 70's so it could be one of the last ones.
Click to expand...
Do you remember what the other hatchets cost at that time? Seems pretty expensive to me, competition would have kept prices down. Global competition has drastically effected todays marketplace. Now- most commonly available hatchets cost less that half (equivalent) of the Walters you have.
Even current US made like Eastwing sell for around $50- about the cost of a pair of Levi's today.
And that hatchet went for twice that back in the day.
 
A Visitor said:
Do you remember what the other hatchets cost at that time?...
Click to expand...

In 1966, new Craftsman hatchets were advertised at $3.99 (regular price $5.69).
In 1974, new True Temper hatchets were advertised at $7.99 (regular price $9.99).
In 1981, new Norlund hatchets were advertised at $6.47 (regular price $8.59).

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C9YzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XOsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4949,3684641&dq=craftsman+hatchet&hl=en
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5MJaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LVgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1986,2036970&dq=true+temper+hatchet&hl=en
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=10tPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CY8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2361,7631684&dq=norlund+hatchet&hl=en
 
G-pig said:


The one without a handle is a nice little one, around 2 pounds I think, but the temper is fouled up. Any ideas on where I could be the bit re worked by a smith or what have you? I have a few others as well, like a really nice Emerson Stevens that needs the same thing.
Click to expand...


Maybe you should start heat treating your own. I just heat treated my first axe last week. Seems to have turned out well but I won't know for sure until I get it hung and give it some use. I'll tell more about that when it's finished.

There must be some good smiths up there in Maine. Seek them out.
 
Square_peg said:
Maybe you should start heat treating your own. I just heat treated my first axe last week. Seems to have turned out well but I won't know for sure until I get it hung and give it some use. I'll tell more about that when it's finished.

There must be some good smiths up there in Maine. Seek them out.
Click to expand...

Look forward to hearing about that, pegsy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top