restoring hatchet

kokoek9 · Mar 15, 2016

Hi I have an old leather handled hatchet. The handle has dirt and paint spatters allover it, my question is if I sand it off I will also sand of the shine. Is there a way to reseal the handle. any other suggestions

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/whitedeer/hat1_zpsfkxsrekc.jpg

Coastiekevink · Mar 16, 2016

David Martin · Mar 16, 2016

That is an Estwing hatchet. It should handle some sanding. Start with maybe 200 grit paper and once you get it cleaned up and smooth apply your finish oil. It should look fine. DM

Lieblad · Mar 16, 2016

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300Six · Mar 16, 2016

True that the Estwing company lacquers the handles but the material abrades, cracks, chips and ultimately peels off. Myself am a fan of oils which soak in and thereby keep leather from drying out and/or absorbing moisture and your handle is still in relatively good shape so you won't have to take it apart or do anything rash. But, non-drying oils tend to leave a slippery non-dry surface so I don't think I'd advise that here.
One thing about time-tested genuine (not the urethane-based stuff) Spar Varnish is it dries and retains some flex to it and maybe that is something to consider as a coating once you've cleaned and sanded the leather. The end result would look similar to the original Estwing coating. Re-coating and touch-ups are normal procedures and I've used spar varnish for years on canoe paddles and marine decking and trim.

BTW your forum handle translates in Dutch to 'cuckoo'. I have a buddy with last name Paauw which is 'peacock' in Dutch.

kokoek9 · Mar 16, 2016

thanks for your advice that is what I will do. I thought it might be an Estwing I don't like to use oil on leather because over the long haul it can cause leather deterioration. I have a product called snow seal, it is a paste that has to be heated in, it is beeswax and silicone. I send picture when I am done

300Six · Mar 16, 2016

kokoek9 said:
I thought it might be an Estwing I don't like to use oil on leather because over the long haul it can cause leather deterioration. I have a product called snow seal, it is a paste that has to be heated in, it is beeswax and silicone. I send picture when I am done

If you wire brush the handle end cap this will tell you whether it's an Estwing or not; name and weight will be on there. I do recall Craftsman goods also having stacked leather handles at one time. Snow Seal has been around for decades and used for waterproofing leather boots. It'll darken the leather for sure and require regular re-application. Spar Varnish on the other hand will colour much like the OEM product and it won't be slippery.

Grimalkin · Mar 17, 2016

kokoek9 said:
thanks for your advice that is what I will do. I thought it might be an Estwing I don't like to use oil on leather because over the long haul it can cause leather deterioration. I have a product called snow seal, it is a paste that has to be heated in, it is beeswax and silicone. I send picture when I am done

I juse use straight beeswax into my leather sheaths. Makes them wax hardened and 100% waterproof.

cityofthesouth · Mar 17, 2016

I'd also think you could use a wax concoction. Might be able to get it to buff on a wheel - maybe no shiny but nice and smooth anyway.

kokoek9 · Mar 18, 2016

Hi here are some update pics, got the handle sanded, I think the dark ares are stains, I don't want to over sand. it is an Estwing 14oz. does Estwing make other tools than hammers and hatchets, all I have ever seen are striking tools

David Martin · Mar 18, 2016

You have it looking good. All you need now is to treat the leather. DM

kokoek9 · Mar 18, 2016

thanks

kokoek9 · Mar 20, 2016

my hatchet is done, I don't want it like new because it is a user but I got it cleaned up and put a couple coats of Sno Seal on the handle thanks for your encouragement and help

halfaxe · Mar 21, 2016

That came out great.

SC T100 · Mar 21, 2016

Looks great! I have a rusty Estwing with no handle at all as the leather was mostly missing and completely rotted. I've been looking at handle restorations as well, and I've seen where a heat gun and beeswax has been used to saturate and protect the leather as well. That and Sno-Seal, which is mostly beeswax from my understanding.

kokoek9 · Mar 21, 2016

thanks