Summer 2018 in France in the Loire river my GF found an old hatchet head. I love how it's shaped and when I have some time I'd like to try and give it a new life. Brush up the steel a bit, and rehandle the thing. First step: removing the rust. 4 hours soaking in vinegar 10 hours soak and steelbrushing it clean Makersmark became readable again: Goldenberg 86 Wow it's pretty already next step: make a handle out of this piece of ash(?) wood from an old shovel So far this part was done in 2018.
The current COVID19 lockdown gives me some time to work on it again. Here's the first bit of handle shaping I did. to be continued
Next step in my hatchet restoration project.. Made a wedge from oak (took me a few to get on right with a hand saw) Made a saw cut in the top, put the head on, hammered in the wedge with a drop of glue. (exiting moment). Cut the wedge off, the result made me very exited so far Nu to put an edge on this thing... First attempt to an edge, need to refine it some more but I'm please with it so far, it was a massive reprofiling/sharpening job. Hurray for diamond stones To be continued
Made a sheath for it today. First time working with thick leather like this. cut out leather punching holes Stiched fitting Wet formed the top to stay folded This side had the nicest stitches Now to finish the edges a bit nicer and stain it with oil and then wax it. pleased so far
Thanks man. Yes I was thrilled when on a stop during a canoe trip this thing was found in the mud. Took me some time to get the job done but I sure learned a lot doing it and I'm very please with the outcome.
