Thanks! I have a hatchet head that I have had for fifty years. The handle has rotted away. With the treatment and care which you described and showed, I expect that the next handle will last another hundred years, and that I will be able to give it to my great-grandchild.
Hello, Mr. Wright; I have 2 hewing hatchets & from the little experience I have I offer this info. A hewing hatchet or broad axe is designed to be used a bit differently than the usual kind. You already know about the blade offset, the edge out of line w/ the handle. But many hewers will also have another offset, so the handle is above the poll. With that offset the hand will be above the work when the edge strikes the work. Both offsets can work together, in effect allowing a reduction in the offset from the handle center line. It is supposed to make a broad axe/hewing hatchet easier to use & reduce fatigue. I have experimented w/ adjusting the handle offset & less offset does help me. Since many times a hewer works a horizontal work piece the secondary offset helps keep the hand from striking the work. Its not as useful for chopping vertical work but it depends on the work. Just wanted to share this, hopefully helpful. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
I had a chance to by one of these axe heads today but not knowing what it was I passed. I may go back for it as this does seem like a fun little project to pursue. Thanks for the video.
Great video. Funny I found this, this summer I made a few handles out of some old growth live oak that was windfallen. And one is wearing a Plumb broad axe 😀 There is more to the world of tool handles than Hickory and Ash. Oak works great
One detail about this type of hand axe. You can use it as either a right-bevel or left bevel by mounting the head with the other side up. My grandfather would just flip the head and work In the other direction.
I winced every time you nearly chopped your ankle. Raise the log to knee height and then chop on the far side of where you're standing. That way you'll preserve your legs and feet.
I prefer a longer handle as I have found the added head speed aids the cut and the distance my hand is away seems to build my confidence and I'm actually more accurate. Wonderful tool if you've done a series of depth cuts or chops, hack to the line in a hurry.
Great handle, I enjoy making them myself. My single bevel hatchet has a straight handle, and I usually use it for hewing with the work vertical on a chopping block. I have a single bevel axe with 28" straight handle, for hewing beams, but haven't done much of that. How do you like the hatchet with the angled handle?
Perfect for me. I recently acquired a carpenters ax but the handle was straight. I wondered if an offset handle was carved or steamed or what. Your solution, using a blank with a natural bend, was right on. "Duh". I always over think things. Thanks.
I like that you painted inside the carving was wondering when we were going to see it happen. Will say that I was kind of sad it wasn't the wood by wright blue that we are used to. Looked good but doesn't really stand out after the finish.
Okay, so I watched a Townsend video not too long ago where he explained that single bevel axes were used more like chisels. He demonstrated how one might drive it with a mallet rather than swing it like an axe.
Really useful ! I have two to do - a conventional axe and a lump hammer - so your general "handle" comments are very useful ! Interesting that you use a wooden wedge - in the UK we're ( still ) on the metal ones. Are wooden wedges "the norm" in Canada, or is this your admirably inventive way of doing things ? Yes, another really useful video - thanks for making it ! PS The neighbours must get a good deal of entertainment from what happens on your front grass "...Oh he's chopping bits out of a log now, and she's filming him,,," HA HA
If someone years from now were to say thus whatever was made by the "Wood by Wright" and it did not have Celtic Weave on it somewhere, i would call them a lier.
I have something made by James that doesn't have a Celtic weave on it. Wonder if that will bring down the value and collect ability of in the future....
Could you talk more about the shape of the handle? e.g. How much is the offset? How long is it? How wide is it? How thick is it? I realize one should make it comfortable for the user, but I’m guessing there are “rules of thumb” that can help a first timer. Thanks for a great video.
To be honest there really are no straightforward rules of thumb when it comes to hatchet handles. There are hundreds and hundreds of designs and shapes. everyone has a slightly different desire and there's a bunch of different traditions and methods. Usually the best suggestion I can give you is go to Google images and download a bunch of the pictures and print them out. Just have them on the bench as a reference when you start shaping it out.
Never seen one of these before, didn't know hewing (or broad) axes came in hatchet size... but of course they do. Broad hatchet sounds like an oxymoron. I've got a big broad axe head been meaning to handle for a long time but I don't have any conveniently shaped wood been drying for years, looks like I'll wait some more.
Hi, James, I found this video as I am making several handles for axes, hatchets, etc for a friend and one of his hatchet heads is more or less a twin of the one in this video. Coincidentally you are using a Millers Falls #1 spokeshave. One of these arrived in my mail today. This brings me to my question: how the heck do you sharpen it? My best guess is that you flatten the outer surface and then sharpen the small inner bevel in some way. Any advice? Thanks, Stu
Wood By Wright How 2 I had wanted to do the offset handle like yours, but wasn’t sure of how to attempt it. You have given me some good food for thought.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo 😅 sorry. I will explain it a Bit more: Found a 45€ Stubai Carpenters Hatchet with left or right single bevel on Amazon. Until know i didn't have luck to get an old (single bevel hewing hatchet ) one cheap here in europe / germany. The stubai ones are available with 800g or 900g head weight. What is the more preferred weight? Not for carpentry more for Wood prepare for small furniture, woodturning prepare... Better a smaller light weight or the heavier one? OK ist IS only 100g..😂
Lol I like that one. For small ones like this no. They would have had a short handle. I have a larger head I will put a longer Handel on at some point.
Curious to see how the "perfectly flat" on the back, straight edge works out. Reading this blog by Peter Follansbee he expresses a preference for a slightly convex profile. front, back and edge, to facilitate popping out the chips. pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/the-endless-look-at-hewing-hatchets/ Also my first exposure to these was one of Richard Maquire's videos where he used it to quickly remove material from the side of a board rather than sawing it off. This will most likely be my usage too, so I am thinking the cranked handle won't be necessary for me.
Hey, I know you did a collaboration with Rex Krueger a while ago and I really enjoyed it. He just put out a video on making an "instant shave-horse" from a pipe clamp and some scraps. I imagine you want to build a traditional one, but for a quick solution it seems to work really well. The video is here if you want to take a look: ua-cam.com/video/FDvGxa_kDaE/v-deo.html I love the work that you do, keep it up!
so that is a "Hewing" hatchet head, it's used for turning Round logs into Square logs. they come in left and right sided and whichever side that is You should have that foot up on top of the log and let the hatchet fall to your side so it swinges lower than your foot, along the side of the log. than you wont be striking towards your leg as you were. a little longer handle would be better. I bought a Bearded Hewing head few years ago and made a quarter cut Ash handle.
oh and ya got the right idea with the handle being towards the outside but it should still be Straight and not bent like a golf club, When you cut the end that fits inside the head, don't put it in the center, instead the inside"flat" edge should be paralell with the side of the handle at about 3/16ths of an inch, so offset where the head sits on the handle to one side.
A Hachet doesn’t need a bent handle You won’t be hewing a log with it It’s for roughly shaping wood In a large broad axe yes you don’t wanna bang your knuckles
Thanks! I have a hatchet head that I have had for fifty years. The handle has rotted away. With the treatment and care which you described and showed, I expect that the next handle will last another hundred years, and that I will be able to give it to my great-grandchild.
Hello, Mr. Wright;
I have 2 hewing hatchets & from the little experience I have I offer this info.
A hewing hatchet or broad axe is designed to be used a bit differently than the usual kind.
You already know about the blade offset, the edge out of line w/ the handle.
But many hewers will also have another offset, so the handle is above the poll.
With that offset the hand will be above the work when the edge strikes the work.
Both offsets can work together, in effect allowing a reduction in the offset from the handle center line.
It is supposed to make a broad axe/hewing hatchet easier to use & reduce fatigue.
I have experimented w/ adjusting the handle offset & less offset does help me.
Since many times a hewer works a horizontal work piece the secondary offset helps keep the hand from striking the work.
Its not as useful for chopping vertical work but it depends on the work.
Just wanted to share this, hopefully helpful.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
This is a great video I love how you only use hand tools
6:12 Its like a drummer twirling his sticks while rocking out on the drums 😃
I had a chance to by one of these axe heads today but not knowing what it was I passed. I may go back for it as this does seem like a fun little project to pursue. Thanks for the video.
Great video. Funny I found this, this summer I made a few handles out of some old growth live oak that was windfallen. And one is wearing a Plumb broad axe 😀
There is more to the world of tool handles than Hickory and Ash. Oak works great
I personally love an oak Handel. They look great!
One detail about this type of hand axe. You can use it as either a right-bevel or left bevel by mounting the head with the other side up. My grandfather would just flip the head and work
In the other direction.
I winced every time you nearly chopped your ankle. Raise the log to knee height and then chop on the far side of where you're standing. That way you'll preserve your legs and feet.
Apparently he used to be 8 feet tall.....
Ya the camera angle made it look like my leg was in line. One of the hard parts of shooting video.
I prefer a longer handle as I have found the added head speed aids the cut and the distance my hand is away seems to build my confidence and I'm actually more accurate. Wonderful tool if you've done a series of depth cuts or chops, hack to the line in a hurry.
Woo new video! Update: My plane iron home heat treat worked!
Congrats on first. Glad to hear it came out well!
6:36 Again one of those moments when you think to yourself: Why didn't I have that idea?! Instead I ruined my fingertips on the beltsander. XoD
Lol. Got to love 2 side tape!
I made one for a hammer with a knife just taking my time with it in my hands ^^
Watched the first WBW version of this and wondered why you made the handle cockeyed... but as usual you have a reason. Love the handle - great job.
Lol that is what I am here for!
Very nice!
Great looking ax
Great handle, I enjoy making them myself. My single bevel hatchet has a straight handle, and I usually use it for hewing with the work vertical on a chopping block. I have a single bevel axe with 28" straight handle, for hewing beams, but haven't done much of that. How do you like the hatchet with the angled handle?
Perfect for me. I recently acquired a carpenters ax but the handle was straight. I wondered if an offset handle was carved or steamed or what. Your solution, using a blank with a natural bend, was right on. "Duh". I always over think things. Thanks.
Glad I could help john. some of them were steamed, but most just use a bend in a branch. it is nice to keep the natural structure.
Great job!! Transition turned out awesome!
Thanks!
Maybe another Daniel Boon in our presence, all you need is a raccoon cap!
Thank you for wearing wooden shoes. That is awesome!
Best shop shoes you could ask for.
I like that you painted inside the carving was wondering when we were going to see it happen. Will say that I was kind of sad it wasn't the wood by wright blue that we are used to. Looked good but doesn't really stand out after the finish.
Great video James! Thank You.
I like the tape trick. Fun video
Okay, so I watched a Townsend video not too long ago where he explained that single bevel axes were used more like chisels. He demonstrated how one might drive it with a mallet rather than swing it like an axe.
True. They had many different uses in timber framing. That would be very common for the small ones like this one.
I wanted to axe you a few questions. But, the pun got the best of me.
Lol nice.
I just made my own axe handle, which bent as it dried and stumbled upon your video. Was worried about the bend but maybe it's not so bad :)
Very cool!
Nicely done ✅
Looks good. Was thinking lamp black for the carving
I was thinking a black colour/color as well, then it occurred to me he could also try wood burning the already carved pattern
Really useful ! I have two to do - a conventional axe and a lump hammer - so your general "handle" comments are very useful ! Interesting that you use a wooden wedge - in the UK we're ( still ) on the metal ones. Are wooden wedges "the norm" in Canada, or is this your admirably inventive way of doing things ? Yes, another really useful video - thanks for making it ! PS The neighbours must get a good deal of entertainment from what happens on your front grass "...Oh he's chopping bits out of a log now, and she's filming him,,," HA HA
It is also coming here to do a wooden wedge like that then a small steel wedge across the wooden one
If someone years from now were to say thus whatever was made by the "Wood by Wright" and it did not have Celtic Weave on it somewhere, i would call them a lier.
Lol.
I have something made by James that doesn't have a Celtic weave on it. Wonder if that will bring down the value and collect ability of in the future....
I keep telling myself I'm going to make a shave horse
Lol. I have that saying too.
Black or darkgreen for your line paint
If you want to see those "primitive" tools used take a look at mr. Chickadee. Timber frame post and beam,
Love his channel. We talked a wile ago about doing a colab, but never got it.
Could you talk more about the shape of the handle? e.g. How much is the offset? How long is it? How wide is it? How thick is it? I realize one should make it comfortable for the user, but I’m guessing there are “rules of thumb” that can help a first timer. Thanks for a great video.
To be honest there really are no straightforward rules of thumb when it comes to hatchet handles. There are hundreds and hundreds of designs and shapes. everyone has a slightly different desire and there's a bunch of different traditions and methods. Usually the best suggestion I can give you is go to Google images and download a bunch of the pictures and print them out. Just have them on the bench as a reference when you start shaping it out.
Never seen one of these before, didn't know hewing (or broad) axes came in hatchet size... but of course they do. Broad hatchet sounds like an oxymoron. I've got a big broad axe head been meaning to handle for a long time but I don't have any conveniently shaped wood been drying for years, looks like I'll wait some more.
Nice. I have one as well I am waiting on. Some day!
Hi, James, I found this video as I am making several handles for axes, hatchets, etc for a friend and one of his hatchet heads is more or less a twin of the one in this video. Coincidentally you are using a Millers Falls #1 spokeshave. One of these arrived in my mail today. This brings me to my question: how the heck do you sharpen it? My best guess is that you flatten the outer surface and then sharpen the small inner bevel in some way. Any advice? Thanks, Stu
Here is a video on that. ua-cam.com/video/K17X9a7JxVQ/v-deo.html it is a live video, but this should take you to that point in the video.
Nice axe!
I also have a single bevel hatchet like yours, wish I had seen this video before putting a new straight handle on. Guess there is always next time.
there is no issue with that. just does not shear down the face as well.
Wood By Wright How 2 I had wanted to do the offset handle like yours, but wasn’t sure of how to attempt it. You have given me some good food for thought.
beautiful job!
what would you estimate is the degrees that you bent the handle?
5-10 degrees. Enough so that when the head is flat on the bench and I grab the handle mt nickels don't touch the bench
@@WoodByWrightHowTo thanks!
What head weight should a single bevel hatchet have ? 800g or 900g ?
That's a good way to start an argument.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo 😅 sorry. I will explain it a Bit more: Found a 45€ Stubai Carpenters Hatchet with left or right single bevel on Amazon.
Until know i didn't have luck to get an old (single bevel hewing hatchet ) one cheap here in europe / germany. The stubai ones are available with 800g or 900g head weight. What is the more preferred weight? Not for carpentry more for Wood prepare for small furniture, woodturning prepare...
Better a smaller light weight or the heavier one? OK ist IS only 100g..😂
2:49: a cigare smokeshave?! Hahaha
And wouldn't you want a longer handle so you could stand whilst working?
Lol I like that one. For small ones like this no. They would have had a short handle. I have a larger head I will put a longer Handel on at some point.
Great VT but please stand on the other side of the log if you like your current height 😝
Lol wish I changed the camera angle. It made my leg look like it was online with the hatchet.
I never realised hewing hatchets have bent handles.
Some do some don't.
Pity the grain runs the wrong way, but very nice handle.
@Wood By Wright How 2: 05:12 Is this a Shinto rasp?
Yes.
Curious to see how the "perfectly flat" on the back, straight edge works out. Reading this blog by Peter Follansbee he expresses a preference for a slightly convex profile. front, back and edge, to facilitate popping out the chips. pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/the-endless-look-at-hewing-hatchets/ Also my first exposure to these was one of Richard Maquire's videos where he used it to quickly remove material from the side of a board rather than sawing it off. This will most likely be my usage too, so I am thinking the cranked handle won't be necessary for me.
07:52 How do you avoid dinging the chisel while doing this?
Just don't have enough force to hurt it. But if I do I can sharpen it. Only 30 seconds to a minute needed.
...with care.
@@allanhundeby1675 LOL
Exceptional work! Is it an Elwell axe?
Hey, I know you did a collaboration with Rex Krueger a while ago and I really enjoyed it. He just put out a video on making an "instant shave-horse" from a pipe clamp and some scraps. I imagine you want to build a traditional one, but for a quick solution it seems to work really well. The video is here if you want to take a look: ua-cam.com/video/FDvGxa_kDaE/v-deo.html
I love the work that you do, keep it up!
Yep. I saw that one. It works well for a lot of the uses you would need a shave horse for.
so that is a "Hewing" hatchet head, it's used for turning Round logs into Square logs. they come in left and right sided and whichever side that is You should have that foot up on top of the log and let the hatchet fall to your side so it swinges lower than your foot, along the side of the log. than you wont be striking towards your leg as you were. a little longer handle would be better. I bought a Bearded Hewing head few years ago and made a quarter cut Ash handle.
oh and ya got the right idea with the handle being towards the outside but it should still be Straight and not bent like a golf club, When you cut the end that fits inside the head, don't put it in the center, instead the inside"flat" edge should be paralell with the side of the handle at about 3/16ths of an inch, so offset where the head sits on the handle to one side.
A Hachet doesn’t need a bent handle
You won’t be hewing a log with it
It’s for roughly shaping wood
In a large broad axe yes you don’t wanna bang your knuckles