What to do with an Estwing hatchet?

[willseeyalater]

Years ago I brought one home from a garage sale for cheap. The leather stack washers were dry rotted, I used it as is for years then finally cut them off they were getting so bad. What do you do with one to give it a new or modified grip? Right now it is duct tape over wrapped with shoe lace cord. Not pretty but works better than nothing. I see the end plate is held on with two peened over pins but those look integral to the handle so I don't want to cut them off. Anyone done this job with something better?

 

[scruffuk]

Years ago I brought one home from a garage sale for cheap. The leather stack washers were dry rotted, I used it as is for years then finally cut them off they were getting so bad. What do you do with one to give it a new or modified grip? Right now it is duct tape over wrapped with shoe lace cord. Not pretty but works better than nothing. I see the end plate is held on with two peened over pins but those look integral to the handle so I don't want to cut them off. Anyone done this job with something better?

A few ways I can think of would be:

- use scales and 'liners' to clad the handle.
- use a jute style wrap on the handle, fixed with epoxy. I've seen several knife makers on here use this technique and it looks cool, if a little apocalyptic. Rick Marchland and Tai Goo are two such makers who's work might help to look at, if you are uncertain.
- leather could be used to wrap, as above or to be sewn, whilst wet around some premade wooden 'scales' to hold it all together.

Best of luck with it, however you choose to tackle it.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'd carve two wooden halves for the grip that encapsulate the tang then epoxy them in place, wind with thin cord, then stitch leather over it. Re-peen the rivets to make a snug compression fit.

 

[kvaughn]

I wrapped mine with 550 chute cord. Comfortable,adjustable to fit and the cord can come in very handy. Mine stays in my pickup emergency box.--KV

 

[screened porch]

I have repaired burst leather washer handles like this by making leather washers, cutting them and stacking them with the cuts on alternating sides, and epoxying. Too much work for a whole new handle though.

I like the epoxied cord wrap, with or without some sort of filler for the hollows of the tang. I think you'll find you can drill another hole in that tang pretty easily, if that will help.

 

[willseeyalater]

Thanks, some good ideas. I am thinking of doing a combo. by using jute twine and epoxy to build up a core around the handle frame then let that harden and do a paracord outer wrap. I thought of using wood to do scales but it involves more time than I wanted to put into it. It is a nice hatchet for the few dollars I have into it.