Was going through my toolbox and found...

[neffarious]

An Estwing hatchet! It was my dad's or granddad's, not sure. I moved it into my tool set when my father passed and until recently (read this weekend) forgot it was there. I am borrowing someone elses' picture but it looks exactly like this:



I took my DMT plate and put an edge on it to 1000 grit. It was almost shaving sharp. I need advice though as I have never used a hatchet as a tool before. I primarily want to split small firewood and smoking wood. I tried to split a small piece of pecan and failed miserably. I have used a full axe before and it worked a lot easier. I put it on a 12x12" stone. it was a relatively small diameter piece. It's something that could be batoned, but since I now have a hatchet, I wanted to use it. Any advice?

 

[MeanBeaver]

I used to have one just like it. Love those estwing hatchets. Be very vigilant about caring for the leather. That's what killed mine, was the leather handle rotting away. However, I bought it used, and already pretty bad off. If you keep the leather in shape it should last a lifetime.

 

[fishiker]

When using it concentrate more on accuracy than power. On smaller pieces you may find it easier to "stick" the hatchet with an easy swing then swing the wood and hatchet together. The Eastwing is a classic that will serve you well for many years. You may get better answers here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/768-Axe-Tomahawk-amp-Hatchet-Forum

 

[neffarious]

Thanks!