Handles for Plumb hatchet?

S

Survivormind

Joined
Dec 18, 2012
Messages
399
Hello All,

I just recently acquired two vintage Plumb hatchets and need to handle one of them for sure. I've searched through the forums for a link about this and couldn't find anything so I figured I would ask you pros out there.

Here is a pic of the two....


I was thinking, based on the dimensions and length of the other hatchet, that I would put a 14" or 15" handle on this one.

So I'm down for just about any suggestions. I really don't know where to get a decent handle or whether or not the eyes on hatchets are standardized as far as the sizing goes. Can I pretty much purchase any handle? Has anyone else put handles on old Plumb hatchets like these before? Also, if anyone knows of a thread that would point me in the right direction, a link would be awesome.

Thanks!

Survivormind
 
I would recommend house handle (.com). While I dont have the exact same hatchet as you the handle I bought needed to be shaved down alot to fit. I will say though I bought an 18" handle not 14-15" so that could have been the problem.
 
I'll second the House Handle option and will add Tennessee Hickory as well. I buy them through J. Hollywood Edge Co. Eye's are pretty much universal in size as far as I know, but you should expect to do some rasping to achieve optimal fit no matter who you buy from. If you don't want to order a handle, most hardware stores around me carry Link handles, which are hit and miss, but with a handle this short, I wouldn't be super concerned with perfection.
Hope this helps. Others will have much more insight.
 
I'd use the one with the handle to carve a handle for the other one. If you want to replace the old handle, use the new handle you carved with the old one to carve another to replace the old one with. :cool:

Yeah, 14" is fine. These are good little tools, I have a plumb scout hatchet and its great. If you can find any Oak, Locust, Hard Maple, Ash, Hickory, even Beech or Birch, you can make a handle that will work fine in an hour or two. its great to know how to do. Dont worry about imperfections, your body will adjust to a difference lickity split.
 
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Thanks for the good info, guys.

G-pig, thanks for all of the recommendations on that other thread. I've had to move up my time frame to begin this homesteading project so I've lost about 6 weeks of time that I was going to use to prepare. We leave in 51 days! I don't know that I have the time to carve a new one myself although I love that idea and may do that for the handled one once I get out there.

BTW, I might be getting my hands on a 54" Disston...I'll keep you posted.
 
There's some dumba$$ bidding up the price on one on Ebay. One should learn to keep their bids till the end of the offer.
 
Double Ott said:
There's some dumba$$ bidding up the price on one on Ebay. One should learn to keep their bids till the end of the offer.
Click to expand...

I've got a bid on one but I put it on there 4 days ago. Hopefully no one will outbid me. I'll keep you guys posted.
 
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