Estwing Leather Handle Restoration (step by step)

Rebuilding the leather handle on my ‘73 hatchet.

[@fflife6730]

This makes me feel a lot better about taking on this task for my first time. Not saying you make it look easy. But easier than I was expecting. Thanks!

[@billhenry6085]

Sure thing - good luck!

[@eastfarthing69]

Great video. Obviously not a simple project. I like that you did not use epoxy when putting the leather strips in place. I am not sure why others use epoxy, but Estwing did not. I have an old hammer of my father's. I am inspired by your excellent video. Kudos.

[@aprilnichols2806]

Melt the wax in with a hairdryer or heat gun. Then buff. Also wetting the leather helps during sanding

[@billhenry6085]

Thanks - will try this!

[@williamclark1633]

Ive restored several Estwing leather gripped tools. Your final results are very nice. One thing i do is I apply "ShoeGoo" between the washers. Gives it a lot of stability for long lasting use. Also, i dip the sanded handles in laquer. Anyway, keep up the great work!

[@billhenry6085]

Great tip! Thanks for the info!

[@terrybest8973]

Looks good bud

[@billhenry6085]

Thanks Terry!

[@kenporter5022]

Nice job! I have one that needs a handle. I’ll try your method! FYI Amazon is much cheaper for leather. Thanks!

[@billhenry6085]

Thanks Ken!

[@zeroone1695]

Great video. Maybe cut the length of leather in stripes and then cut disc shapes. Just a thought. Really enjoyed it.

[@billhenry6085]

Great idea -thanks for the tip!

[@aprilnichols2806]

Use a hairdryer to melt the wax into the leather.

[@billhenry6085]

Great idea - thanks!

[@patrickomalley7460]

Great job and video

[@billhenry6085]

Thanks!

[@alliwantedisapepsi1492]

Hey, nice build. thanks.

[@billhenry6085]

Thanks!

[@padraigohuard1961]

Great job. It looks like I have one leather piece missing on my 80s hatchet. Gap of about 1/8 inch on n the end just before end plate. Not sure if the leather is dried out and shrunk or one is actually missing. How did you get the peens off and did you use the originals and just flatten them again?

[@billhenry6085]

I was able to file down the outside of the peens and finally pry off the end cap. I compressed some of the final leather pieces by hitting them with hammer to make sure I had enough room to get the end metal piece back on and still be able to peen the ends again.

[@joekulcher9935]

really nice looking job. Question, what did you use for the white and dark spacer rings? I'm working on one now and the old ones have disintegrated.

[@billhenry6085]

They were the original rings, I was lucky that they were still intact. They are plastic so you might be able to McGiver some from PVC?

[@billhenry6085]

Another thought is to cut some rings out of plastic cutting boards and drill out the centers. You could then sand down the outside along with the leather.