What did you rehang today?

jblyttle · May 27, 2019

Yankee Josh said:
Hopefully you will all forgive me for another long(ish) post. I think I've got a new favorite...

I've been saving this haft for over a year. I was told a guy's mother used to use this with a washboard to clean clothes. I'm not sure if i believe that? Here's a couple of the haft. What do you guys think? Just a home made handle or a washboard stick?

There was no kerf and the swell was definitely shaped for being held only one way.

I find Diamond eyes are more difficult to get seated. But they sure do offer a secure hang. I've got hours in re-profiling and hanging this one. It's nothing new to spend many hours on one(every one really) but it adds to my feeling of pride in a job well done. I just used this axe and the handle feels welded to it.

This axe is an old Snow & Neally. It used to say OUR BEST and then under that the company name and location.
After filing and honing it weighs #3-5.4oz. #4-5.1oz with 32" hickory helve. I may reshape the swell because it's a little uncomfortable swinging the keen bit as it is now. But i think it's neat the way it is for now. Thanks for checking it out!

That's a beauty.

A17 · May 27, 2019

I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

Curt Hal · May 28, 2019

Just finished this cruiser. 27.5 in long, altogether 2lbs 15 oz on an octagonal House Handle. Nice old Craftsman - likely 1960’s?

cityofthesouth · May 28, 2019

A17 said:
I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

Interesting. I just got a Council Hudson Bay to try the same thing.

Brian Rust · May 28, 2019

A17 said:
I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

Looks like you did a great job!! I think that looks awesome!

jblyttle · May 28, 2019

A17 said:
I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

Best Chinese Hatchet that I've ever seen

Yankee Josh · May 29, 2019

Here's the little guy hung.

That was a piece of red oak I was practicing on. It works very well. Damn sharp I'll tell you that! Have a great evening!

Miller '72 · May 29, 2019

A17 said:
I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

Just awesome A17

You will probably reach for this guy more than most your others.
Excellent creativity and execution.

Yankee Josh · May 29, 2019

A17 said:
I modified and hung the China hatchet today. As I figure I'll never find a jersey hatchet in the wild I decided to modify one I had. I put it on a nice sapwood/heartwood 18 inch Link hatchet handle that was modified to accept the smaller eye. No before or progress pics on the handle, sorry.

I second what Miller said! That is a great job and very cool all wrapped up into one. It came out great! How is the temper on it after all the cutting you did? Can you temper it now?

Miller '72 · May 29, 2019

Yankee Josh said:
I second what Miller said! That is a great job and very cool all wrapped up into one. It came out great! How is the temper on it after all the cutting you did? Can you temper it now?

I wondered that too, but was assuming you perhaps made quick short cuts and grinds with a bucket or splash ladle at the ready

A17 · May 29, 2019

I soaked it with a hose frequently and never had any signs of overheating that I know of. The temper seemed fine when I filed the bit so I won't worry about it. Most of the cutting was in short bursts with changing angles and such and near the poll so it never got too hot.
P.S. I am reaching for it more than my (formerly?) favorite hatchet already.

Miller '72 · May 29, 2019

A17 said:
I soaked it with a hose frequently and never had any signs of overheating that I know of. The temper seemed fine when I filed the bit so I won't worry about it. Most of the cutting was in short bursts with changing angles and such and near the poll so it never got too hot.
P.S. I am reaching for it more than my (formerly?) favorite hatchet already.

Way to go man!

Fmont · May 30, 2019

A17 that's really cool, and now I'd call it American made!

jblyttle · May 30, 2019

This is a 1.5lb Wetterlings head that I got from Miller '72 in a trade. I'm sure there was a Connie head involved in there somewhere... I'd love to be able to make handles like this, but I'm not at that level yet. I bought it for $10 from a local guy that makes them.

IMG_20190530_083823 by Justin Lyttle, on

IMG_20190530_083958 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190530_084015 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190530_084109 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190530_084039 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190530_084044 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190530_083937 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

Fmont · May 30, 2019

That's a really great looking combo. Very nice hang, that's an absolute beaut.

ithinkverydeeply · May 30, 2019

jblyttle said:
This is a 1.5lb Wetterlings head that I got from Miller '72 in a trade. I'm sure there was a Connie head involved in there somewhere... I'd love to be able to make handles like this, but I'm not at that level yet. I bought it for $10 from a local guy that makes them.

IMG_20190530_083823 by Justin Lyttle, on
IMG_20190530_083958 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20190530_084015 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20190530_084109 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20190530_084039 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20190530_084044 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20190530_083937 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

What a bargain for such a lovely handle!

jblyttle · Jun 1, 2019

A friend of a friend gave me an old head on broken handle to rehang for him. He uses axes (splitting) but isn't "into" them like we are. Just a tool. The head turned out to be a 1915 E&S Jersey. I asked him if I could trade or buy it and set him up with another, but he has had it for 30 years and likes it. I let it go. I put it on a good quality 36" Ames True Temper handle from Lowe's with perfect grain. It should serve him. I did take the varnish off and oil it at least, although that probably wouldn't have mattered to him. I could not let a nice E&S go out on a varnished handle with store stickers on it. I also put a decent edge on it for him. I didn't want to let it go, although if I kept it I would have used different handle.

IMG_20190601_160210 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190601_160221 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190601_160254 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190601_160316 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

IMG_20190601_160301 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

Square_peg · Jun 1, 2019

If he's had it for 30 years and not messed up the toe then he's the right person to own it.

jblyttle · Jun 1, 2019

Square_peg said:
If he's had it for 30 years and not messed up the toe then he's the right person to own it.

I think that's it has been years since he used it, as the very edge was the same rusty dull color as the poll. It certainly hasn't seen 30 solid years of regular use, but your point is well taken.

Brian Rust · Jun 2, 2019

I recently found a Council Tool Railsplitter at a yard sale so I picked it up. I was pretty unimpressed with the fit and finish. I know this is their “lower end” model but still. So I took the head off thinned down the shoulder and then secured it with a walnut wedge! I think it turned out good and it is not going anywhere now. Thanks for lookin!