Turning an axe into a hatchet

[PapaDave]

So, I've got a couple old axes that I've picked up at garage sales over the past couple years. One has a relatively short handle and the blade has been ground down in a........uh, less than stellar manner.
I was thinking of cutting the handle down and regrinding the blade. It might be a little top heavy, but I could always get another handle for it if it doesn't work.
I'd like to use it as a kindling maker.
Has anyone done this?
Like I need another project.....

 

[pen]

I'd try it, why not.

pen

 

[firefighterjake]

Yup . . . pretty much did exactly what you described with an ax that had a chunk of metal missing from it . . . and for the same purpose -- to split kindling. Old ax head attached to a hatchet handle which I used to split up kindling. The head recently came off though (my own fault) as I didn't really secure it as well as I should have with a wedge . . . and technically I should grind the head a bit more than I did to give it a better shape.

 

[Thistle]

Sure. One of the first antique tools I bought over 30 yrs ago was a larger ancient claw hatchet with 1 broken claw found at local garage sale.No maker's name on the beast,but the cutting edge is excellent high carbon steel.The hammer part not so good haha. Used a slow speed metal cutting bandsaw to remove the remaining claw,touched it up with angle grinder & 120 grit belt to use the poll as hammerhead occasionally. Still use it as my main kindling splitter.

 

[midwestcoast]

How about just re-grind the head first & then cut the handle down a bit at a time 'till the balance is good?
I really don't like hatchets that are too top heavy for kindling-ing. Would rather just choke-up on a full-sized axe.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Go for it Dave.

 

[katwillny]

Give it a shot and post pics. I get inspiration from this sites. lol

 

[tfdchief]

Sounds like a good idea. Pics when you are done.

 

[BobUrban]

I pick up old axe heads from time to time at yard sales and fleas markets. Usually on the super cheap because no one wants to repurpose them. I use them as splitting wedges for kindling and bow staves because I have more control of the split. I just put it into the round and hammer on it with a small sledge. Having a short handle on it hakes this real easy because you can hold the small round in position and hammer away. I forge my own little kindling hawks from 100+ year old wrought with a hardenable carbon steel(5160) buisiness edge forge welded in. Usually a piece of old lawnmower blade because it takes a nice edge but is not to brittle so it can survive the rigors of chopping.

 

[PapaDave]

[quote="midwestcoast, post: 1106780, member: 11676"]How about just re-grind the head first & then cut the handle down a bit at a time 'till the balance is good?
I really don't like hatchets that are too top heavy for kindling-ing. Would rather just choke-up on a full-sized axe.[/quote]


This was my first thought. The head is still pretty heavy (for a hatchet), even though it's been ground quite a bit.
I'll have to put up a couple pics. I'll take a tape with me.

 

[osagebow]

Nice hawk BobUrban! ....I've re-handled a few and cut one down bit by bit to gey the balance decent, good luck with it, Papadave.
I like little roofing hatchets with the hammer end.I need to get some more tho, my boys like them also, and I haven't a clue where my pair is. Gonna hit the yard sales this weekend and and paint them blaze orange. (paint the new hatchets, not the boys)