Craftsman hatchet now in service

[OilyRascal]

Today I cut a white oak and split wood the first half of the day.  I found myself inspired to finish this project in queue.  The head came from Dimwittedmoose as part of a trade - the handle from a stand of hickory I'd cut in the last 6 months.  My first handle to do on my own.  My wife wants to know why I keep sneezing all evening.  I need better sanding tools.  I think I learned much of fitting it into the head - what NOT to do.  I "thought" I had it cut down enough and when I started beating it through that commitment part on the very end - I splintered 3/16-1/4 on the end on either side at the head.  I tried to make the best of it, but you can see the flaws nonetheless.

Craftsman
Weighing 2lbs 12oz
18" in length
4-1/2" blade

[Papaw]

Looks better than I could do!

[scottg]

Excellent side ax and just brilliant for a first handle!! Way to go!

Scrapers, you need a spokeshave and some scrapers.
  90% of the work done long before the sandpaper comes out, with no dust.
  And much much faster to boot.
yours Scott

[Nolatoolguy]

Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?

[OilyRascal]

Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?

No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Nice Work Oily!  Great Circa 1927 logo.

[Branson]

No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.

Time for Mr. Drawknife and Mr. Spokeshave!  Mr. Scraper could help, too.  But you did a very creditable job with this handle.  First view, I took it as a (good) factory made.  Very fine side ax!

[OilyRascal]

Time for Mr. Drawknife and Mr. Spokeshave!  Mr. Scraper could help, too.  But you did a very creditable job with this handle.  First view, I took it as a (good) factory made.  Very fine side ax!

I tried the drawknife for two rounds.  I finally had to throw those on the grill and call them practice.  I gave it a go with a longer rasp.  Tried a 1-1/2" chisel nice and sharp after I had it rounded over.  I took much material in all the wrong places with all of them.  Had a very hard time transitioning from grip to belly to throat getting the lines I wanted.....particularly in trying to align the grain in those transition areas.  Finally decided it was time to work in much smaller takes of wood.....knowing it'd take more time than needed - but it was a Sunday afternoon sitting around shooting the bull.   

My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"

[lbgradwell]

My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"

And from a practical perspective he may have been right. But we know that's not the point, don't we? ;)

A very nice job and an excellent old axe-head.

[Nolatoolguy]

Looks pretty good to me.

Did you do it all by hand or cut the rough shape with a bandsaw or something?

No power tools.  Pocket knife, hand saw, thumb plane, a small rasp, and some worn out sandpaper off the belt sander.

Very impresive :)

[scottg]

I tried the drawknife for two rounds.  I finally had to throw those on the grill and call them practice.

Next time turn the drawknife upside down.

With the bevel down, you now have leverage to --stop-- the cutting easy.

Because the bevel is down, the handles will be more at an angle to the work and a straight back pull wants to stop instead of dig in. 
So you have to actually lean them forward to get a cut at all.

  Much more controllable.   Much safer!! 
Try it
  yours Scott

[OilyRascal]

Next time turn the drawknife upside down.

I will do just that.  Thanks!

[rustynbent]

My father finally has enough at one point and says "your desire for perfection has you fighting work; battling an enjoyable effort.  Its a hatchet handle, son"

And from a practical perspective he may have been right. But we know that's not the point, don't we? ;)

A very nice job and an excellent old axe-head.

Never a more true statement here. Great job on the handle and your commitment to excellent.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Oily's nice axe handle inspired me to take a swing at handlecraft. ( I'm not sure just how many puns are in that last statement considering that I made the handle from an old baseball bat)  Anyway, here is my first effort using a lathe, a rasp and sandpaper. Stain and Galoot Mix are the next step.

[OilyRascal]

I like it.  A lot!