So I have this 1 3/4-pound hatchet head made by Collins. When I went to sharpen it, I found a real good, hardened edge. I was going to put an Elm handle on it but found out that the Elm is too brittle when dry and does not hold up well. I had a piece of oak shelving that was 3/4-inch think and glued to halves together to get the thickness that I wanted. I could tell the Oak was much tougher when carving the handle out. I used a piece from an old belt I had here and an old boot shoelace for the guard. I like finding a new use for what I already have.