OutdoorEnvy 1,397 #1 Posted August 13, 2022 Well my sons' name is Jack. And I have called him "Hatchet Jack" since he was born...most of you know the great movie that's from. He turned 10 last month and will be hitting the deer woods for the first time. I didn't carry a hatchet with me in the woods till I was almost 20 and couldn't believe I didn't start sooner. So the plan was to have him one when he hits the woods...and be fitting for his nickname! This won't be sharp yet as I'm not confident he won't lose a finger so the edge is not sharp. It's almost as sharp as a soup spoon. So no worries there. So a couple years ago I came across this old Sweden hatchet at an antique store and put it away for him. So the time is now. It's just a basic 1.25lb head. The steel is good quality and knew it would clean up nice. Here's the start Rust removed and edge cleaned up. But not sharp For handle fitting I do like to bring the head to the shoulder and thin it down. Most of the ones today are way too thick. This one turned out nice and got it where I like it with the draw knife and a rasp. I fully sand and take it to 1000 grit. I find it gets less splintering and is more comfortable for choking up on. Found a nice dark hickory handle for it. You can afford to wait out a nice one when you have a couple years to plan for it. that's the fit we're looking for! Wedge set it nice with lots of curling. Then let a couple rounds of boiled linseed oil soak in and wiped it clean. Turned out pretty nice! Should last him his whole life. We'll get it sharpened up when he's ready. But for now it should clear out a sitting spot against a tree just fine and help with other camp chores. I've lost an axe sheath before so thought a bright colored one would be better to start out with. Had some yellow leather from a scrap pile so we decided that would do the trick! thanks for looking! 3 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #2 Posted August 13, 2022 Very nice. Nice handle. Sandvik makes really high quality tools. Something he will treasure through out his life. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,936 #4 Posted August 13, 2022 Beautiful work there! Nice to see folks making something instead of buying it. A wonderful and practical gift worth every second. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,529 #5 Posted August 13, 2022 Perfect! “Lull Dife, Lort Shife” - Toad, from The Scavengers by Michael Perry dull knife, short life 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,981 #6 Posted August 13, 2022 Better hid your files. A that age I could sharpen one enough to be dangerous 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #7 Posted August 15, 2022 On 8/12/2022 at 11:45 PM, OutdoorEnvy said: So a couple years ago I came across this old Sweden hatchet at an antique store and put it away for him Anyone can on the spur of the moment decide to go out and buy a gift for a loved one. Nowadays even just get a gift card. Those however are in reality meaningless. The act however of thinking of it so far ahead and making or taking something from essentially nothing and with one’s hands and effort create that special gift is something special. It’s not only a gift for him but more importantly than that it is your legacy that he is getting and an example for his own life. For you I don’t have to specify what it means because you already know. Well done. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
