>>1593274This became my new hobby this year,
Ash or Oak. Don't use a soft wood.
Long grain that runs from the top to the bottom is essential.
You want the handle to nicely fit into the eye of the head, and sit in place without being wedged so you can hold it upside down.
Whilst upside down, you strike the bottom of the haft, opposite end of the head. The head will leap up onto the haft and really snugly lock itself on. Then you hammer the wedge in to open up the slit and lock it in place.
Make sure you use a good wedge to really open the top that goes into the head to really lock it in place.
Resin the head onto the haft.
Impregnate the head with resin and oil the rest of the haft.
This is the first hatchet I made.
