Making a Bushcraft Axe
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
In this video I show you my step by step processes of modifying a half hatchet/riggers hatchet into a lighter and more ergonomic bushcrafting axe. I use a straight handle, repurposed from an old double bit, to give this one a tomahawk style throwing handle. It’s turns out really well and we have a good time getting together with some friend to celebrate my birthday with an evening of axe throwing. We hope you enjoy.
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They are "Carpenter's Hatchets." They are very useful tools if you learned "Old Scool Carperntry." A "Roofer's Hatchet" is completely different style which is very useful for adjust cedar shakes. "Carpenter's Hatchets are useful for trimming studs and rafters. Adjusting doors to fit etc. When I was a youngster back in the 1950's all of the "Old Carpenters carried a Hatchet in the hammer loop of their Bibs. They used them for sinking nails but also trimming wood. 2x4's were real 2"x4" in those days. Rough lumber. I vegan learning carpentry with those "old time tools."
@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy
2 жыл бұрын
Would love to hear your story!
@rebelyell2741
Жыл бұрын
I’ve got a 1857 Germantown head. Carpenters hatchet. I just cold blued and rehandled it . It’s my absolute favorite. I’ve had it since 1980. When I started in the scouts from my grandfather.
@black_dragon-carpentry
Жыл бұрын
That's an old box hatchet... Or crate hammer. The hex head gave it away. Rigging axe round hammer head hardened for nail driving 28oz. Plus Roofers hatcher square head with shingle stop holes hardened for driving nails. 16 - 20oz Box hatchet \ crate hammer hex head smooth or light waffling only hardened slightly more than a regular hatchet various weights usually 32 oz and less I cut my teeth same as you rigging axe framing.
@ChauncyFatsack
Жыл бұрын
what about 2x6s and gypsum lath hammers or horse shoe cawk hammers? i bet ur not that old lol
@lewispage1433
Жыл бұрын
My grampa, a former carpenter has one and I use one for bushcraft that was an old family friend's. I've been taught they can also be called cowboy killers
Wow a restoration KZreadr who doesn’t just turn their axes into mirrors, and uses them👍👍
thankfully i found this. no mirror polishing, no painting, no huge head modifications but attention to details like the wedge and all the chamfering.
Love the screwdriver chisel to remove the wedges , let's not fool each other , everyone does this . Lol Nice job dude .
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
3 жыл бұрын
Lol. It’s true
Bruh, turning that $15 HF grinder into a small bench grinder with a jig is pure genius
@BarbEricNinja
3 жыл бұрын
Right?
This may sound strange, but I'm really happy to see that a big chunk of your tools are from harbor freight. Its nice to see that someone can make/restore something really nice without 20k worth of woodworking tools
@chupe182
5 жыл бұрын
At first I was like...that grinder....then i saw the blue anvil... and was like....oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh coool. I feel like I can do things on a budget now
@sammidwood404
4 жыл бұрын
I concur. I'm a proffessional bladesmith and a close 85 percent of my electric tools are from the dump or from harbour freight and i make almost 200 becks a blade in my little town so good on him hes doing a great job what minimalist tools
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
4 жыл бұрын
Warren, thanks for the comment. I agree, HF tools are tools. They are as good as any other, which is only what the user imparts to them. I’m sure we would all love to have a 100,000 dollar shop with all the best tools, but craftsmanship is in the hand of the maker, no mater the tool used. Thanks again!
@ronalddunne3413
4 жыл бұрын
@Hoosier Hell Hawk Harbor Freight is red chinese and a BIG no-no post Wuhan Virus... Should be driven from the country!
@tannenherz
3 жыл бұрын
@Hoosier76 Yes, perhaps some parts are from Germany :-)
Gotta hand it to you brother. A few things I truly appreciate about your videos are that you do not need to own a machine shop to do what you are doing, you give very straightforward explanations, and you have innovative ideas that usually include something regular people have laying around their shed or garage.
This has to be the most beautiful and instructive video about a hatchet or axe restoration ! You seldom see people push the love for detail and chamfer the part of the handle that sticks out of the head. Hats off !
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Samuel. I find the Art lies in the craftsmanship when making a tool. (Not trying to sound cliché but that the exact reason I named the channel that)
Thanks for the tip about marking the depth on the wedge. Beautiful work.
Great craftsmanship with a relaxed, non-tactical attitude. And recovering something beautiful from junk headed for a landfill is just damn cool.
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching Aaron!
Another trick for marking compound (@16:35) is to hold it above a lit candle. The smoke that comes off about 4 inches above the flame works wonderfully for marking compound.
Thanks for the inspiration. Just finished mine this evening.
Great repurpose, I've modified a few diff tools, and Come across the same type you converted frequently, probably have a couple, if not I'll be picking a couple up to convert. Thanks for the great video...
Tip: instead of using a pencil, use a candle. The soot is perfect for marking. An old gunsmithing trick. Thanks for posting.
Appreciate your video - great to see old tools brought back to life
My Father who is now 81 use to carry a Carpenters Half Hatchet when he was a boy. He made cabins in the woods, and bushcraft with one. He swears by them over a regular hatchet. I like them as well.
I remember my Dad having that Stanley framing axe in his bags when I was a kid. It never felt right, it looks like you fixed the design.
I love that you keep in the parts where you have to troubleshoot on the fly. That’s how life happens. It’s very helpful.
Got this half hatchet, belonged to my Dad. Cut many sticks of kindling with that hatchet. Dad made a handle for it, and his Mother's double bladed axe, several years before his passing in '89. Yep! I do treasure them both.
It's pitch black outside, it's pouring down with rain and we're in lockdown. That was a very pleasant way of spending 35.18 on an otherwise boring evening. Thanks.
I've always been intimidated about the strength of metal and how to work with it, but you make it look relatively easy and achievable. Thanks for these videos. They are awesome!
those small angle grinders are one the most versatile tools you can own..i like the bench holder you made for yours
I have broken more axe handles than most folks have seen. Now I know why. I've been sawing to deep. Thank you for great content. Been fixing them wrong for 50 plus years😁
I did the same with an old, rusty half-hatchet I found when I was fifteen, except I couldn't shorten the hammer head. It had the narrowed, faceted rebate seen on claw hammers, & wouldn't have worked if shortened, so I left it alone. Used it for years, until, while chopping a limb at a bankside camp & fishing spot, the handle split, the head flew off, & sailed about thirty yards out into the middle of the river. But it did great service all the time I had it.
Never saw such a video before ,even with my endly supply of old axes here in Norway. Have a 300 year old log house I have been rebuilding for years. Axes and me are no strangers.You did a great job. I learned a lot and got some great ideas.
Love the project, explanations and videography. Thanks for sharing, what is obviously, your passion!
Beautiful job, beautiful work!! So nice to see a craftsman at work. Thanks for sharing and letting us watch. Beautiful!!
in two minutes into your vid and I've subscribed. I love your explanations and your attitude. You have a nice and calm channel and I really appreciate that.
@richardbhyde7186
5 жыл бұрын
Nice work! For your information, those are shingling hatchets which we used to shingle all buildings before asphalt shingles were introduced. Some times the shingles came in bundles sawed or split to size but some times the carpenter split each shingle from a block of wood and applied it to the roof. Western red cedar was a favorite for shingles but many other rot resistant local woods were used as well. Just thought you might like to know what those tools were originally designed for. Thanks once again for the great video. Dick Hyde
@greggkemp5985
4 жыл бұрын
Same thought here. I can even forgive him for using a screwdriver in that fashion. :)
@jamesdavis705
4 жыл бұрын
compition axes
@michaelmaker8169
4 жыл бұрын
@@richardbhyde7186 they were used to cut to width, weren't they?
@tannenherz
3 жыл бұрын
High, i'ver thought the same. Now i will see other videos from him. Kindly Fiete
Looks good! 👍 you did a great job, thanks for sharing! I think I might try to make one for myself , you made look easy.
I just found your channel and immediately knew I was gonna love it. Love the axe!! Keep up the awesome work!!
Here I am,watching you again.This whole process is relaxing me./ mental therapy?/ Don't laugh! Thanks.
@springof-wf8vy
3 жыл бұрын
My friend I second that emotion. 😂
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks guys! It’s my pleasure.
I love hatchets and axes too. Agree with a lot of comments about your abilities and attention to detail. Learned a lot. Love the finished product.
This reminds me of This Old House, but more relatable for me personally. Subbed
Thanks for these 35 minutes ! It was a pleasure to watch you working on the hatchet. I have an old Klauenbeil (German, translates to Claw hatchet) and now I know what to do with it.
Found a Norland Hachette in the bottom of my fathers toobox thats been sitting in my garage for 35-40 years. You have inspired me to clean up the hachette and hang a handle. I only have hand tools so it takes me a little longer to get it in shape. But watching your video keeps me going. Thank you!
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
3 жыл бұрын
You got this.
Absolutely beautiful axe!
You have a good eye for angles! I can see you have had a lot of time on a bastard to a key file. keep showing us cool stuff please!
Excellent job! Nothing feels better in your hand than a tool you've built or customized! I really enjoyed watching and look forward to more!
All around superb, superb, superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are my motivation for making metal recycling videos. Glad to see the result after completion
Shinglers hatchet. I did not modify the profile, but did add a longer handle.....20" Has been my long handled trappers hatchet for 45 years... 🤠. Nice work.
I’m enough of a craftsman to know that you’re a very talented craftsman who knows his way around the shop and you’re articulate too! Good job, man!
That was a fun video. Loved the customizing of the hatchet. And the friends and family fun. Very cool
I REALLY LIKE THE TIME AND ENERGY YOU PUT IN A PROGET. YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE AX IS GOOD TO. I LIKE BUYING OLD HEADS AND PUTTING HANDLES IN THEM. ENJOYED WATCHING.
Great to watch your very accomplished work. It is great to see your generation celebrate the practice of repairing and rebuilding vs.a throw-away mentality. Loved the video. Subbed.
I have a hatchet just like your original, I love what you did with it. Good job! 👍🏻
Good wholesome fun. Lots of love and care went into that axe.
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
2 жыл бұрын
Yes. Cheers SK!
Love the high level of craftsmanship you display... *Subscribed*
I have been looking for this exact restore/mod. I haven’t watched it all yet but thank you for this!!!!! Liked and subbed off your first video!
Just found your Art!.... Thank you for a super video AND the peace of mind to know there are other TAS-maniac (tool acquisition syndrome) craftsmen ! this Re-purpose will be great for a Carving Hatchet that works well as a throwing axe (if evildoers steal my carved Spoons!) Look forward to discovering all your Videos!...Thank you Again. Brian
Really enjoyed this. Many thanks for sharing!
I love the great detail and effort you put into your work. Love your axes.
Alcohol and sharp cutting tools ,my kind of party looks like y'all had alot of fun.I really enjoy watching your videos I've learned alot from them.Please keep them coming.
I've seen a lot of axe hanging videos. This is the best. Thanks! OBTW: I like what you did with the head too.
I really like cradle for the grinder, very simple, I will attempt to make one and make sure I get a grinder with a switch that locks the trigger on. Outstanding video , thank you.
love the modification to that carpenters hatchet, appreciate the HF tools
Sweet axe! I'm looking for an old carpenters hatchet with the broad face and the hammer pole on the back to play around with. I'll run across one at an Antique Store sooner or later. You do great work! Thanks for sharing!
Very very nice video. The only bad part is seeing the beautiful art you've created getting smudged in the dirt and that gnarly bullseye. Your great presentation has inspired me to go right into my workshop and work on some axes I've scrounged over the years. Thanks a million and carry on.
@brandon_montero
4 жыл бұрын
I think it gives it character
Enjoyed the build and watchin y'all have fun after!
Dude you need your own tv show along side the wood Wright shop and this old house
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
3 жыл бұрын
Let's do it.
You've got skills... great restoration ~~so cool to watch, definitely have a new found appreciation for half hatchet
Great level of attention to detail. Professional editing and commentary, what more could you ask for? So satisfying
I like to take old junk tools and turn them into other things and I as yourself love axes grew up using them, I find a lot of them at junk shops and auctions very cheap and modify them. Great video thank you very much for your ideas and time.
I have watched 3 of your videos so far and have learned so much. You explain things very well. Thank you so much.
This video is MINT!!! Love the restoration work. Bringing old tools back to life. Great job man. Can't wait to go through your other videos to pick up tips.
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Bold!
That grinder jig tho! Lol OSHA approved!
@grimcat27
4 жыл бұрын
Saftey third.
I have just done the same, but left the hammer poll length but slimmed it down by tapering it so it still had a hardened tip. Looks wicked! Thanks for the idea. Working on 4 more now!
Very clean the way he does it...
I have been watching you-tubes for months as I get into tool referb and knife making. Yours is the first I have written to. Your work is beautiful and seems to be achievable. I see many of the tools I've been collecting in your shop. The techniques you use seem to be things I can develop with practice. Thank you for your work I will be watching. 62 and starting!!
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and the kind words. Our goal was to make a channel that could teach and encourage people to make things. I love hearing from viewers who have been encouraged. Please send pics of the work you do and I’ll try to get them up on the channel.
@gateway8833
5 жыл бұрын
Grant Parlier Hay, 62 isn’t old.
@markforrestsm
5 жыл бұрын
@Grant Parlier Never too "old" to learn something new!
@markforrestsm
5 жыл бұрын
Respect Robert! Enjoy yourself..
@barneyrumpus2581
4 жыл бұрын
@Grant Parlier . Your old what??
Great job. I just did the same thing with a new "carpenter's hatchet". I chose to make my "camp hatchet" more of a bearded style so I can use it more easily for carving and "hanging on a limb". You lost the heat treatment on the hammer side when you cut if off. I am not saying that is wrong, it is just a choice. The pattern of heat treatment became obvious on mine when I "antiqued" it with a mustard treatment (three times, thin, and fully dry between treatments). The antiquing on the heat treated steel is different on the front heat treated edge (about an inch) and on the hammer side (about 5/8 of an inch). The entire hatchet is not heat treated the same, it is softer. You did great. I like mine of course.
@erikona-chan1443
4 жыл бұрын
Vcxybbuf
I really liked your grinder support / brace. The wooden jig aids a simple and effective solution for grinding scenarios.
Time to look for a yardsale ax. Very satisfying watching this. Well done!
As a fellow axe restorer, I see the results of experience in your work -- patience and attention to detail; not rushing the grinding; cooling the metal repeatedly so you don't ruin the temper; taking the time to size the kerf and wedge perfectly (very satisfying); marking the depth of the wedge (great tip) -- excellent work and a pleasure to watch. These kinds of videos are how I relax. Everyone is always in such a rush these days... you get criticized for long videos because people have short attention spans -- ridiculous. Mastery in any craft takes long hours and years of patient pursuit. Nothing worth knowing is learned in 60 seconds. The one piece of the handle debate I don't see mentioned is the bit about there being a necessary performance balance needed between handle shape and the weight of the head. All the best old school loggers' axes had thin handles because a certain amount of flex is crucial to the power of the swing and the resilience of the handle on impact. Wood type and grain alignment are also key. Too hard / too thick in the handle gets brittle and is actually more likely to break. That said, that'is all more important for full length felling axes than it is for hatchets and hybrids under 20". You're not going to need much flex in a tool that short. It's also a function of how big your hands are. You look like a good sized dude, so I'm sure that handle fits your hand nicely. For my own part, I hit the bare wood that's going inside the eye of the axe with a very light rub of linseed oil before I drive it home -- just on the outside, as you want the kerf cut and wedge dry so the glue takes hold. The best part by far is the beer drinkin' buddy axe tossing contest at the end. Loved it when you all threw at once and not one stuck. ;-) The process of building it is reward unto itself and you can't be afraid to risk a little damage -- USE the damn things -- that's what they're for! You got a new sub from me -- keep up the quality work.
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this great comment. You hit the nail right on the head!
@coymckenzie4903
4 жыл бұрын
I bet im one of the few ppl who ever read this whole thing and its great I want to get started on axe restoration and forging but i dont post vids on you tube all i have is the tik tok app btw i think your comment is one of the best and most true comments here
@richardbrown8113
4 жыл бұрын
I was sad when it was over. I wanted to see more....I think I have watched every video now
@QuantumMechanic_88
4 жыл бұрын
BS - Take a perfectly good AMERICAN made hatchet and ruin it with the "bushcraft" syndrome .
@jimsparks2580
3 жыл бұрын
you need to cool the metal better, just pour a little water on it. and you should not have cut the original cutting grind.
We used rig axes framing back in 70s early 80s. Main use for chopping out door plates and bent nail. Waffle the head you'll hqve a good nail driver.
modifying the heads is a brilliant idea. I had two pretty boring kind of beaten up heads lying around and immediately took the angle grinder to it. Thanks for the tips - you never stop learning!
Love that box for the angle grinder!
"You can always cut off more wood but you can never put it back on" this could have saved me 2 hours of searching for the board stretcher in one of my first jobs.
@DerKooze
4 жыл бұрын
Chris Sproles ... and it is for this reason I chose blacksmithing. I can almost always forge weld on more steel!
@robertfitzgerald8647
3 жыл бұрын
Everybody knows the board stretcher is right next to the striped paint Sherlock
@mytchroy1821
3 жыл бұрын
My grandfather made me look for the board stretcher while working in his wood shop with him as a kid, classic woodworking bit, brought back memories.
@bumstudios8817
3 жыл бұрын
@@mytchroy1821 ever been snipe hunting lol
@henryburke8426
3 жыл бұрын
As I new hire I was sent off for black/yellow safety spray paint; said sure, as soon as you can get me a fallopian tube bender,.. Got a raise @nd a ton of knowledge from that "crazy old man"!
Beautiful job. Broke my heart to see you throwing it though!
@darwingraves308
4 жыл бұрын
if you can make it, you can fix it 😉
That turned out great! Fun choice for the handle.
Great way to give new life to old forgotten tools! I subscribed a few minutes in, the moment I saw that clever tabletop angle grinder rig. I run a 2x72 belt grinder and sometimes you just need to nibble away at those funky angles and inside radii. I’ll be installing one of those rigs on my workbench this weekend! Thanks for the great videos, you’ve got a lot to offer
A person that shows that much attention to detail is also showing respect to the project at hand. sub...like...bell
The nails in the handle where to measure from the top of the eye down to each nail that measures different size logs most of the time for fireplaces in woodstoves
Mad Skills. Beautiful Shop.
That came out really nice. Great job and thanks for sharing your videos.
Great video, the explanation of everything you did is so far out in front of other Channels of this nature. Lookin forward to the other's you have. Small pile of roofing hammers, hmm what should I do. New sub and thanks for sharing this with us. 🇺🇸
Kudos to the person running the camera
@TheArtofCraftsmanship
5 жыл бұрын
My brother was pumped to see this comment. Thanks!
Love this project. I have a half hatchet on an 18" handle as a camp axe and wish I had seen this video before hanging it.
You are a true craftsman. Most folks have lost these skills. It ain't easy. Half hatchet, never heard them called that. Thank you for a great video. You seem to have a bunch of nice tools. I can build a 31" airboat propeller with a jigsaw and a wood rasp. Don't need all that fancy stuff. Nice axe. Proper.
A knifemaking friend made me two little hatchets dang near identical to yours for wood bowmaking. Wonderful little tools, they're easy to control for fine wood removal but can really hog off the excess wood on a stave.
@noctismortis7349
5 жыл бұрын
would also be nice for handles for hammers and other hatchets (:
Beer and Tomahawk throwing..my kind of party !
A beer in one hand, throwing axe in the other. What could go wrong?!? 🤣 Great video. I have an old, double edge axe, probably 50 yrs old, plus, I've wanted to refinish. Picked up some great tips from you. Thanks for sharing. Roger
Another great project and perfect results.
I appreciate your use of Harbor Freight tools. Proves that you don't have to be a tool snob to get wonderful results. Love your videos!
Love it. I do the same with old axes and hatchets. Usually pick them up at flea markets. My favorite is a old plumb boys axe.
You did a great job.👍 lot's of work you put in to axe
You guys are having way too much fun, I'm jealous. Good job on your camp axe.
First off, I almost never have a palm swell or fawns foot at the end of my small - medium axes. Its never been a problem! And good god, art of craftsmanship is an understatement. Fantastic instructions! Super creative ideas! Your videos are quite the wealth of knowledge!
I want a basement like this! Greetings from Germany! :-) Nice work. Take care.
I really like how you shaped the hammer head. Looks really well thought out. Thanks for sharing 👍.
Love the grinder holder for the bench. Nice job on the axe.. very nice