leather handle refurbish

[doc henderson]

I am not a knife maker.  i have a new hatchet eastwing, that I bought a few years back with a HD gift card.  My neighbor Jimmy gave me a box of old stuff he did not want and in it was an identical hatchet like mine, and i have given it to my son William.  we have cleaned and polished up the metal, was going to try to re-finish the handle.  is it a good idea?  how do you do it?  we engraved his name and number on the sheath.  i assume saddle soap would do well on the sheath.  seems like the handle is covered in varnish ect.  figured i would have him cover the metal with paste wax.



 



 



 



 

he used it after sharpening to chop out a 5 inch root near a rain pipe we were working on.  he even got a blister, good for a doctors kid!

[Bruno of NH]

When I first got into carpentry work I used estwing hammers with handles like that.
I believe it's spar varnish on the handle.
I moved on to wooden handles better on my wrist and shoulder. 

[lxskllr]

I typically use olive oil on leather washer handles, but mine have been unfinished. I'd be tempted to use it on the Estwing. It'll darken the leather, coverage will be incomplete due to the existing finish, and it'll have to be periodically reapplied, but I think over time it'll have a nicer feel in-hand, and gain a customized patina. It likely won't be as pretty as the original finish, but I think it would be more functional. If olive oil is used, it should be stored away from mouse access. I hear they chew olive oil treated leather, but I personally haven't had a problem.

edit:
BTW, if you go with oil, there's no going back. It'll be permanently darkened, and you'll be committed to maintaining the oil finish, so if you consider it, consider it carefully.

[Old Greenhorn]

These are nice tools that cna last a lifetime. I have one around here somewhere, but I have about 15 hand axes so I lose track of where they all are. It's called a washer handle, and this one is hard varnished. You can sand it off, smooth sand any mis-matches between the washers and then re-varnish if you like. The failure point on these is the butt cap. I believe this one is peened over rivets, correct? Make sure those are tight and ther is no wobble in the washers, if so, you need to fix that first. If it's tight, you are good. The washer material itself can vary, usually leather, but I have seen wood used to0 and thi might be wood, I can't tell. i have also seen rubber used on sheath knives for washers. Select a finish suitable to the material. 
 For the sheath, clean with saddle soap as you have done, then apply neatsfoot oil and allow to dry overnight. Wipe off any excess and you are good to go. Re-apply the neatsfoot il once a year or so, or anytime the leather looks dry. Don't overdo it or the leather will get too soft and the rivets might start pulling out.
 I like the thin edge on these axes, good for trimming work. They take a bite easy. No so good for chip removal because of the thin bit. He shoud enjoy that ax for a long time.

[Southside]

Ahem... I believe you have a pergola to build so there is no time to be playing around with that silly hatchet!!   :D  Will he be using that on the chickens you will need in order to finish said pergola in time for the party?    ;D

[doc henderson]

we live just inside the city limits and are allowed 1 chicken for every 2,000 sq. feet with out a building on it.  We had a dozen back when the kids were younger.  none now but one strays in the yard, I sure it will come in handy.   :D  

[doc henderson]

I may carefully try a little mineral spirits to get the adhesive from the sticker off.  more to just clean it,  but not make it sticky.  could sand it with fine paper.  or goo b gone,

[Old Greenhorn]

Hey Doc! I stumbled on this today, a different approach. FYI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH50sJKiYY8

[doc henderson]

for now I used goof off and took the oil and dirt off the leather.  the rectangle area where the sticker was applies and left the adhesive was the biggest eye sore for me.  i will check out further ideas for general knowledge.  

[florida]

I would sand the handle with 150 grit sandpaper which is what they do at the factory. Follow that witha dip in varnish.

[lxskllr]

For your consideration...




The knife/sheath on the left was treated with olive oil(more than once), and has been on my side every work day for the last three five years. I lost it in the woods Friday, and consider it so essential, I ordered a replacement Friday. I found the old knife today, and also got the new one which is shown on the right.

edit:
Had the knife longer than I remembered. Time flies when you're getting old  :^D