Handle for a carving hatchet

Post by **nemo** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 8:01 pm

Handle time for my carving hatchet. The eye is really large (1 7/8 x 7/8) for a small 1.5 pound/800g head. So a stock handle does not exist, I need to kustom make one. I have a 13" Louisville Slugger ash billet from the Hillerich & Bradsby factory. Beautiful straight grain and being a round billet I can make it perfectly vertical. Let's see if I can find a working handle in it.......

Post by **rustynuts** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:24 pm

Plant that baby maple and grow your own handles.

Post by **nemo** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:54 pm

rustynuts wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:24 pm
Plant that baby maple and grow your own handles.

Already have 2 big silver maples in the back yard, not even good for fire wood.

Post by **irishrob** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:50 am

I’ve got some ash if you need some

Post by **nemo** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 1:15 pm

irishrob wrote:I’ve got some ash if you need some
E57FBD51-B59B-44C7-AB28-C13BA5817964.jpeg

Might take you up on that.

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Post by **nemo** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 1:18 pm

Here’s the progress so far. I have the blank roughed out in a handle shape. Yea, I hit the easy button and used the band saw.

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Post by **nemo** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:41 pm

I give up for the evening, sweating my ass off out here and my hands are giving out. About half way on the handle and going on pretty straight.

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Post by **nemo** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:12 pm

FUCK!
Noticed some hairline cracks in the handle. Oh well, fire wood for next season.

So on to the next billet. This is a ash chunk I bought from a local sawyer.

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Post by **nemo** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:13 pm

Easier when you’ve done it before and have a pattern.

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Post by **Gunsmokin** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:27 pm

I’ve got a couple chunks of wood that might make a nice handle. Hit me up if you want to swing by and pick any up. I’ll text you a couple pics.

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Post by **nemo** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:11 pm

Almost on, about another 1/4” or so. The fitment is really tight.

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Post by **guncrank1** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:05 pm

Glue and pins is your friend with wood cracks

Post by **Gunsmokin** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:44 pm

Gunsmokin wrote:I’ve got a couple chunks of wood that might make a nice handle. Hit me up if you want to swing by and pick any up. I’ll text you a couple pics.

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Nemo, check your inbox. Sent you a few pics.

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Post by **nemo** » Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:14 pm

Well the main part of the handle is roughed in at 3/4” x 1.25”, still need to finalize the shape of the shoulder and pommel. Those designs are hinging on if I want to do an oval or octagon shaped handle. Oval - easy and feels good. Octagon - PITA to keep consistent but really fits the hand.

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Post by **nemo** » Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:42 pm

Damn near close to being done. Still need to fair the curves, decide on pommel shape and finish sand. Then last fit on the head and cut kerf and wedge it home.

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Post by **nemo** » Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:44 pm

DONE!

Overall quite pleased how it turned out. Not so much with the pommel but I can kustom it after I use it for a while. Finished right at 13” (33cm) which is spot on for good balance. Still need to stone and strop the bevel.

Oh, and of course make a sheath.

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Post by **nemo** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 5:07 pm

Carving axe sheath…......well the design.

Post by **nemo** » Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:38 pm

Here’s the real start

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Post by **nemo** » Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:16 pm

Well it meets all the requirements to be called a sheath. Version 2.03 is gonna be a winner.

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Post by **nemo** » Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:37 pm

Finish sanding, burnishing and dying tomorrow.

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Post by **nemo** » Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:37 pm

Dyed, stitch grooves and holes.

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Post by **nemo** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:24 pm

And we’re calling this project DONE!

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Post by **Gunsmokin** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:50 pm

nemo wrote:And we’re calling this project DONE!

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Looks good

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Post by **Niceguy** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:54 pm

Very cool!

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