Harbor Freight Bushcrafting Hatchet Mod!

$20 Fireman’s Hatchet modified to a bushcraft axe!
#bushcraft #asmr #harborfreight #bushcrafting #camping #adventure #mods #mod #budget #hack #axe #ax #hatchet #camp #tools #firebox #fireboxstove #diy #doityourself #fireman #harborfreighttools

[@johnburnett5377]

Every time I walk into Harbor Freight, I have thought about doing exactly that. Glad someone finally did it.

[@pugdiddy100]

I have the same axe in my bedroom closet. It still has the spike because a fireman showed me how to open or go through a door. The closet is our Tornado shelter and the axe may help us dig out.

[@glennunderwood4690]

I bought their ax a couple of years ago, it was actually sharp right off the rack , it's a goodun...got their splitter too, nothing wrong with either one..😎

[@albuu1846]

That looks awesome!

[@m005kennedy]

The spike you cut off looks perfect for digging in hard or frozen soil.

[@carnivorecamping8992]

Yes, I can certainly see why some people would want to keep it. I wanted a hammer/mallet on the end instead.

[@jamesmcdaniel5094]

@@carnivorecamping8992 Strike with the side of your axe.

[@RockmanDash]

@@jamesmcdaniel5094 The handle is weak that way. assuming your grain is oriented right. At at harbor freight it might be strong that way.

[@brandon01776]

When you realize that there was an axe almost exactly like what you turned the one you bought into and for 10 $ less right behind it lol 🤣 you could have just re handled it and reprofiled it to your preferences that seemed like wasted money and time 🤔

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

I don't know why you would remove the spike. Trim it down and make it a leverage tool like a miniature Peavey.

[@carnivorecamping8992]

Not a bad idea, but this way I have a hammer/sledge.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

True, it does depend on what you use it for. But cutting the spike seems an extra step

[@billnyethesciencedenier1516]

Cutting off the spike reduced the counter weight. Does it still swing without drifting?

[@carnivorecamping8992]

I’m certainly no expert but I haven’t experienced any issues with drifting.

[@pgreenberg66]

Using that grinder with those hoodie drawstrings dangling like that is a recipe for disaster.

[@carnivorecamping8992]

Eh, the power is literally in my hands. If it grabbed my string, I’d immediately let go of the switch and it’d stop.

[@pgreenberg66]

@carnivorecamping8992 you don't really think your reflexes are quicker than 1000 rpms do you ?

[@heathers.7755]

are the steel and heat treat on that $20 axe actually worth all this effort though?

[@carnivorecamping8992]

In my opinion, yes. It was a fun project. You can see the hamon line during the video after adding the apple cider patina. That shows that the blade area was hardened properly.

[@justicar5]

Modern steels, even on cheap axes, are so much better than pre 20th century steels, that it almost always is worth doing a project like this

[@heathers.7755]

Nice. Good shit then. :3

[@escapetherace1943]

I own a HF hatchet and processed two entire trees with it (60 year old trees) before resharpening and it only had a couple tiny rolls.... I like them, it came dull as sin out of box but nothing a file couldn't fix in 10 minutes

[@hunterbarrett5182]

Or grab the other one thats better

[@RustyClam]

The steel is too soft.