January 22, 2015

A New Handle For My Old Hatchet

It's not that I'm terribly strong, perhaps the handle on my hatchet was just old, but I finally broke it. Just splintered off where it inserts into the hatchet head.

Old handle, broke clean off

I thought "oh no" but Dan said "no problem". He went to the firewood cutting pile, pulled out a stout hickory limb, and made me a new one.

This is actually the remains of the limb. Dan is not
always one to wait on me while I go get the camera.

He cut and shaped it, even woodburned a grip on it for me.

Ready to be sharpened and put to work once again. 

It feels comfortable in the hand and is heavier than the old one. This is a good thing for tools, because lightweight tools and equipment require more muscle power. He could have bought a replacement handle, but we're finding that replacement handles are becoming more lightweight as well. So nice to be able to make a sturdy one from what's on hand.

26 comments:

Dawn said...

Its a terrible feeling when a favorite tool breaks like losing an old friend, my garden fork handle broke right in the sleeve bit, its on the list to be repaired I have had that fork for a long time.
Your new handle looks great another few pennies saved :-)

Tuesday said...

I am impressed!!!! Beautiful and so much more meaningful.

We received a hatchet from Santa and it's proving to be a very effective tool. Good things do come in small packages!

Unknown said...

Oh my, this Dan of yours is getting some serious skill under his belt. I think he needs an extra helping of desert tonight. Dont let him leave the perimeter of the property and if he does, put a lead on him so you can pull him away from any husband hunting minx. This one is worth stealing. (you know im joking, dont you).

Farmer Barb said...

Right ON!!!

Mama Mess said...

That is beautiful! Homemade is ALWAYS better! I have to say I'm kinda glad you broke it!��

Ed said...

I haven't bought a handle in years that I was happy with. I've got old oak and hickory handles older than me that are still in great shape and have outlasted several others that I have bought in the last decade! I've got good handles now on my axes, hammers and mauls but I really need a nice one for my garden hoe. I may have to try making one myself but the length of the handle kind of intimidates me.

Debby Riddle said...

Very handy dude! I would have loved to watch him do that! I'm sending my grape hoe down, :)

Karen@ onthebanksofsaltcreek.com said...

Excellent. I love it when we don't need the store! Good job hubby.

Frank and Fern said...

Isn't is a blessing to have a husband that can fix things? I really appreciate Frank's ability to problem solve and fix things in ways I would never think of.

Fern

PioneerPreppy said...

Nice. And a very good skill to have too!!

Simply Handmade Farmhouse said...

Great Job! ~ I love anything that is hand made. Have a nice day.

Renee Nefe said...

can he make me a new handle for my pressure cooker? ;) I should go order that...it's been sitting on the counter for several months now. sigh

Great job on the hatchet. I agree that the new isn't better anymore.

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

I love my old tools, and when the handle breaks we generally fix ours tool. Dan did an excellent job fixing your hatchet.

If you went to the hardware store and bought a new hatchet to replace this broken one. I guarantee you wouldn't find a better quality tool. Thumbs up on fixing the hatchet.



Mama Pea said...

I'd have to add that the handle grip is the icing on the cake!

This reminds me of my grandpa. I doubt he had a tool that wasn't one-of-a-kind because he fixed and repaired everything!

Mark said...

Once again, Dan is proving to be a handy guy. The checkering on the handle is really a beautiful and functional added touch. That homemade handle kind of epitomizes the whole homesteading ideal we're all striving towards. Well done!

DFW said...

That husband of yours is truly talented.

Susan said...

He's a darn handy guy to have around! I really like the grip design. I agree that, if it is at all possible, it's much better to make your own replacements. The quality of tools now is very poor.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Good for Dan!! My daddy would have done the same thing.

Leigh said...

What happened to my day?!?!? It has flown by and here are all these wonderful comments to my post. Every one is appreciated and I'll be making return blog visits soon!

Sarah said...

Go Dan! Glad he fixed you up right away! Now is Dan like my dad and did he hang on to the old handle "just in case"? We always tease my dad about that but several years ago the handle broke off my mom's recliner. My dad had an old hammer handle and attached that using this mega strong epoxy....good as new!

Bill said...

Good for Dan! I'm so envious of skills like that. My hatchet handle broke off recently too. But I can't imagine trying to make a new one.

Bill said...

Good for Dan! I'm so envious of skills like that. My hatchet handle broke off recently too. But I can't imagine trying to make a new one.

Anonymous said...

This is one reason I miss having my "woodworker" Joe around, but, Tom is getting pretty good at this kind of stuff too. Way to go Dan!

http://caffeinatedhomestead.weebly.com/

Unknown said...

Okay you two are just freaking awesome! Love that you made your own replacement and it looks great too!

Harry Flashman said...

There's an old joke about the axe that had ten new handles and two new heads during it's lifetime.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

He did a great job making the new handle. It is always such a good feeling to be able to fix things and not have to go buy new. Nancy