I found a Plumb Boy Scout Hatchet head in a box of spare parts and garage junk I picked up at a garage sale. Some pitting and its lost its edge but most of all its lost its handle. I’m going to clean it up and carve a new handle. Trying to decide on two species for the stick...got a nice chunk of 60 year old red oak seasoned for 4 years OR a nice bit of walnut heartwood. no i don’t have any hickory available... Your wise and knowledgeable input on the project welcome.
That's going to be a nice hatchet! Personally, I would go with the Oak handle. Walnut would look cool, but if the dark color is all your looking for, you could burn in the wood before coating with mineral oil or boiled linseed oil. My maul head is a plumb and that's my go to maul. My handle on that is sq sst tube that I welded to the head with hex stock going through the head and handle, but I wouldn't suggest that for yours.
If it is going to be a user, I would go with oak. Walnut for a display piece. We have a nice restoration thread that is collecting dust. Feel free to add to it. Welcome to FHC. Lots of good folks here. Edged tool restorations
