Fiskars hatchet (my way)

[Walking-dead]

New 20" 7075 aluminum handle I made today. It will be black hard anodized soon too.

[JohnnyMayhem]

That's really nice! How long did it take for you to turn that out?

[Chase The hero]

DO. WANT.

[Tendrax]

Very slick. I'm a fan of wood handled axes and hawks personally, but I still have to admit that looks very nice. Let us know how the aluminum handle deals with the rigors of use.

I'm definitely intrigued.

[jitterypillow]

Looks badass. I worry about how much punishment the aluminum will take, and how much it'll ring your bell when you use it. Metal handles tend to reverberate like a son of a bitch.

Hope it works even half as good as it looks, 'cause then it'd work great!

[azrael99]

i would love to see a "X" shape grip grooved inside that handle to help grip.

that a amazing handle. i wonder how it would react to the stress of extended time hits.

[Walking-dead]

How it will hold up? I'm pretty sure it will hold up longer than a piece of hickory. Its all held together with 3 grade 8 bolts now. It actually don't vibrate any more than a wood handle does and the cool factor is priceless.

[foxx]

It is cool, for sure, but bring some gloves when it's cold outside.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Have you considered doing a plasdip on the handle? You know, to held with the grip and the temperature issues.

[mough]

Very cool, but needs some blue phone cord.


Actually nix that. Spray on bedliner!

[Walking-dead]

Gonna anodize it and probably a para cord wrap on the grip too.

[Penzanse]

Holy Mother of Hand Grenades! I do like! I would get one of those bumpers for the shaft. Leather wrap for grip not plasti-dip. The dip gives good grip but it does not hold up too well. What is the weight?

[SmallFry]

Holy Mother of Hand Grenades! I do like! I would get one of those bumpers for the shaft. Leather wrap for grip not plasti-dip. The dip gives good grip but it does not hold up too well. What is the weight?

Plasti dip does just fine if you mix it with epoxy. 80/20 or so iirc shoud do it...

[mough]

How much would you charge to have one of those handles made?

[scottiej]

I'm not sure on the details, but I think there's something about grade 8 not being well suited for sheer strength. Something about being harder but more brittle. Grade 5 might be the way to go, but again, I'm no materials engineer.

[44Dave]

When in doubt use grade 5. They resist shearing forces a little better than grade 8.

[Confucius]

3 grade 8 bolts (what diameter? 1/4 in?) in double shear should hold up just fine. Although if I were shelling out the cash for that much 7075, I'd probably splurge a bit and pick up some stainless AN bolts...



Speaking of big chunks of 7075, have you/is it heat treated?

[Kutter_0311]

Cool, yet in need of upgrades/tweaking as stated...

What happened to the original handle?

I have a few, but none has seen hard use, so I'd like to know in advance of any failures.

[Walking-dead]

I'll try to answer the last few questions here.

I've had several requests for the handles and I'm thinking about $100.00 area for a 6061 T6 version.

The 7075 I used is T6 the length of the handle is with the grain of the material to maximize strength and 7075 has a hell of a memory so repetitive abuse will not bend it. I didn't have to buy the material so that's the reason for the overkill on the material. 6061 would suffice if I built another.

Grade 8 bolts have a hell of a good sheer strength at about 85,000 psi. Although I am looking into buying or making some titanium bolts and nuts instead.

There was nothing wrong with the original handle but I have the resources and ability so why not.

Hope I answered everything if not just let me know.

[Turtlewolf]

What did you use to remove the original handle? I'm just curious as many detractors of this style of hatchet insist that they can't be rehafted in the field, personaly I'm a fan of them (I'm on a limb about this version, but I won't detract from your creativity or the fact that although I don't like it dosen't mean it isn't interesting) and have been for years.
Cheers

[Walking-dead]

To get the old handle off I warmed it up with a torch. I wasn't real worried about the original handle failing but I just wanted something different.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Damn fine job there. Can't wait for a more extensive field report. And 550 cord.

[Turtlewolf]

To get the old handle off I warmed it up with a torch. I wasn't real worried about the original handle failing but I just wanted something different.

So it got soft like kydex with an application of heat? I don't blame you for wanting different, like I said just because it isn't my cup of tea dosen't mean you don't deserve bonus points for originality and effort. That thing is neat and i too look forward to a field report.
Cheers

[Storm Crow]

I meant to comment a while back. I like what you've done here. I would want the edges rounded all the way up to the head and I am curious how the vibration when chopping would feel to me. Beautiful work.