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Craftsman Axes
- Thread starter Adair
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Hickory n steel
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Yes ! The craftsman hatchet is made by Vaughan ( as well as their hammers and riggers , roofing, and shingling axes/hatchets ) and it's well worth the 17$ imho as long as you pick the best one ( but keep in mind it's a project axe because they come dull with thick clear coat on the head ). Last month my grandma bought one for kindling and I worked it over for her ( filing it gave me confidence in the steel ) now I have no doubt that my brother should have no problem making the kindling and it should last a long time ( she told me that I would eventually end up with it ) at most hardware stores mexican Colin's and truer hatchets cost about the same, so getting American steel for the same price you can't beat it.
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The current Craftsman axes (apart from the all-steel hatchet) might be made in China or elsewhere, like some Vaughan axes are now imported.
Oh, that's too bad. I'll check out what they have at Sears Roebuck. Perhaps it will give the origin on the label.
Hickory n steel
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No the Vaughan/craftsman hatchets are absolutely made here in the USA ( it's their full sized axes that are imported ) my grandma bought one, and I spent the day working it over. I'm not sure now, but I know Vaughan was using 1085 . either way my Vaughan sub zero has decent steel in it ( I bought it a few months ago ) and the other seemed decent while filling well, so I say go for it.
I forgot to mention that at my Sears the heads were a little rough , a couple had big dings in the top like they had banged against each other during forging. but It wasn't enough to affect the tool. And I don't think it's to common. I don't see any of these things on Vaughan tools, and since craftsman offers theirs for cheaper I think they may allow Vaughan to skimp a little in the finishing process or build them a little more hastily in order to keep their prices lower. But I've only seen the deformities on a couple things the one time, so I don't think it'll be an issue. Anyway that's why I said you may need to pick the best one. If you do go and spend the 17$ on a craftsman hatchet I'd like to see what you get and how your project turns out.
Well, I went to Sears Roebuck and they did indeed have the hatchet. They also had a Carpenter's Hatchet, also branded Craftsman and with a wood handle. I chose the Camp Hatchet, the best one of the lot as far as I could tell. Most were pretty banged up, just like you say, Hickory 'n Steel. Mine has passable grain orientation on the handle. The handle is varnished to a nice brown--I don't really feel the need to strip it and re-coat with linseed oil. I used a Nicholson Mill Bastard file, then several passes with both sides of the Lansky puck, to sharpen the edge, which was dullish. I didn't get it to hair-shaving sharpness but it feels pretty sharp---paper just split cleanly on the blade. The point on the beard is scary sharp---it probably bites deep. (Is that a good thing or not?) The sharpening process didn't take long. Now, I have to test it outside, which I won't be able to do for a week or so. For a hatchet that cost $17.99, it looks okay, but of course the real test is yet to come. Who knows if the handle will crack after a few chops, or the head loosen. If it is functional for a little light camp work, I'll be satisfied. Just something to put in my pack for a hike or a day camp. I don't intend to do anything major with it. Oh, and there were a bunch of cheap pleather (?) sheaths left over from some of the all-steel Craftsman Sports hatchets (which were otherwise sold out). They let me have one for this hatchet--it fits okay with a slight modification at the back (taking out a weak snap and replacing it with some paracord---not great or pretty, but it works).
Hickory n steel
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Can you post a pic of it ? Even if the grain isn't perfect it probably won't matter too much for a hatchet, and if the heel or toe is too thin it could chip at some point but judging by my experience with the craftsman I'm assuming that it's not actually thin enough to be a problem.