This morning I got up early and worked on the hatchet before I have to head to the airport.
I sanded down and wire brushed the rust.
The handle was interesting because it had that curve in it when I bought it. I had to bob the tail a bit to get rid of a huge chip out. It took quite a bit of chisel work to get the handle fit just right. I was going to leave a bit sticking out but my saw work went wrong! I just sanded it flat.
This is the finished project with Red Mahogany stain and boiled linseed oil in natural light. The edge is a shallow convex and just the very edge sharpened up so it dry shaves easily. I will say that this bit was hard as heck. I gave up on filing the cheeks and just used my belt sander and kept it cool. The file would barely cut it.
It feels great in my hand. Still pretty ugly but it will get more use and appreciation in this life than it did in the other. I can't wait until next weekend to take it out and try it!
The over all length is 12.5". The handle sticks out 10.75" inches. The over all weight is 1lb 5.6oz.