Forging a Hatchet

This advanced course uses the various skills learned in intermediate classes to forge the classic outdoors tool, a hatchet! Using the punch and drift method, participants will work in pairs with a sledgehammer to punch a hole in a 1” x 1.5” x 4” piece of material. We’ll shape the hatchet face by hand and a power hammer, grind the cutting edge, and finish with a heat treat. All participants will leave with their own handmade hatchet. Handles will be provided, and participants are allowed to stay after class to add the handle.

The Forging a Hammer class is a prerequisite for this course. We will not demonstrate punching a hole or installing the handle of the hatchet to maximize class time and to focus on the new techniques unique to this project. This is a longer class and a larger piece of metal so make sure you feel comfortable with the fundamentals learned in hammer making and are ready for four hours of hammerwork.