HOME | DD
CuSmith โ Experimental Hatchet
Published: 2013-01-22 20:16:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 12906; Favourites: 192; Downloads: 78
Redirect to original
Description
This is a sort of prototype of a hatchet design I've had kicking around in my head forever now. Apparently I'm not the first one to try out this kind of shape though. The first thing one of the guys I work with said when he saw what I was doing was "oh yeah, I've made one of those." I don't remember exactly how I responded, but I'm sure it was with something indignant. This started out as a huge chunk of 1-1/2" (that's one and a half inches) round 1050 steel. Approximately 3 hours to forge, and maybe 6 or so for finishing. Handle is dyed curly maple with brass pins. Approximately 16-1/2" from tip to handle end.Related content
Comments: 25
It looks like a kukri with an overbite, but good work none the less.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
How does it cut? I read the comments but don't think I saw any reply on how it functions. Regardless, it's pretty bad ass.ย
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
I haven't tried to cut with it yet, it is pretty hefty though. I suspect it works well on wood and the like. And thanks!
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
Puts me in mind of some tribal weapon... I think from southern Asia...
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Yeah, this has a lot of similarities to Asian designs, there's also a lot of African weapons that have interesting shapes like this.
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Right! Now that you mention it, I think it was Africa I was thinking of.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
I guess it's kinda heavy - but that is a very impressive weapon. At worst - it's a big hunk of metal with a handle, smash -- Then axe head to hack and chop,
but best of all is the hook on the end - idk if the inside of that could be made sharp , but then it can be used to "rake" - slit "something, or someone" wide open - nasty.
Guess it can be tossed too - , but it remind me ofย a Machete / Bill (ie. english billmen) / Hatchet all in one.ย
I notice someone say "historical" .. just because no one wrote about it, or no surviving pieces exist, doesn't mean it never happened. If someone can think of it , it could have been made
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
I cut myself at least twice on the little hook you're talking about... no need to sharpen the inside edge.
This could certainly be thrown, but I would make sure to practice with a similarly weighted piece before tossing this around.
This shape is somewhat related to a lot of eastern styles... there are quite a few malaysian, indian, even javanese designs that have a very flowing yet severe look to them. This is not historical in the sense that I was not trying to reproduce a specific item, but you could say it is a modern sister piece to many different historical influences.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
DUDE! I HAD THIS SAME IDEA! Great hatchet, much lovelier than i could ever achieve
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Whoa, thanks! I've seen a few bladey / axey things that were similarly shaped over the years, and I thought I'd put my own spin on it.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
hmm historically acurate no.. but its a zombieslayer for shure. and great for throwing(sorry dude i tried it before too) but for throwing i wouldnt use that beautyful handle
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Oh, I had no delusions of making a piece that had any kind of historical basis with this one. This would be a great thrower, but I would definitely fear for the handle. I may make another with a cord wrapped handle for just such an occasion though...
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
I saw this on facebook and was in love with it!
I love every moment of this piece! Would this prototype be good for throwing? If it is, I would very much be interested in a) testing it out and b) potentially commissioning a set of 6 or so hatchets for throwing, if you were interested.
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Hey, thanks Mink!
I haven't tried throwing it, but when I finished the handle it just felt like it wanted to be chucked. If I had made this specifically to be thrown, I probably would have gone with a different type of handle; the wood I used is really nice and I would cry if it got effed up from a bad throw.
As for making a set, I would absolutely love to do that. Would you want them all to be identical, or do a little variation? I originally drew up a couple different heads and even then, the final piece turned out to be not quite what I was going for. I might even post a picture of the sketch just to give you an idea.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
This is very similar to something called a "Knatchet" (knife + hatchet) that was designed by a member of BladeForums a couple years ago, and is currently being made by JK Handmade Knives. I've made a few sheaths for them: [link] . I definitely like this forged version, though--it has a lot of character!
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Hey, nice sheath! How do they form those if not by forging, just stock removal?
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Thanks! That particular maker uses stock removal to make all of his blades, the Knatchet included, although another maker that I know (Mark Wohlwend) has forged a few. Having had some introductory bladesmithing training, myself, on top of doing tons of research on the topic, I am not terribly fond of the wastefulness of stock removal, even if the results can still be great.
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Yeah, grinding something well is kind of an art in itself, but coming from a forging background I just can't bring myself to justify the huge loss of material.
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Yeah, I'm with you on that one
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
Has an extended kukri feel. high carbon leaf spring??
๐: 0 โฉ: 1
Yeah, a few people have pointed out that it looks like a kukri with a big cutout along the lower edge. This was a purchased bar of 1050 to start, I don't use old leaf springs for big stuff because they tend to have microscopic stress cracks that can cause some serious failure during use. Little knives are OK, but anything that gets swung is no good.
๐: 0 โฉ: 0
I've already cut myself. Twice. And thanks.
๐: 0 โฉ: 1