tool handle repairs

[LindaLancaster]

Hi everyone,

We have an Estwing hammer and an Estwing Joiners Axe (like a hatchet) which both have handles covered in rings of leather. The leather has now perished and is falling apart, so these 2 tools are more or less unusable. They are both so nicely balanced and well-made that we would like to get the handles fixed. My husband thinks the company would mend them (though presumably with modern materiasl, not leather) but we have no idea how to find out. Do any of you very knowledgeable people know?

Linda

 

[david and julie]

Have you considered a local old fashioned cobblers?

They will often have a go at leather products other than shoes.

 

[chappers]

Estwing still make their tools with a choice of either rubber or leather handles, the main problem I see with returning them to the manufacturer is that they are made in the USA and I doubt it would be cost effective to get them repaired that way, esp[ecially bearing in mind that B&Q are now selling estwing hammers for £25 maybe you would be better off finding a leatherworker who may be able to sort them out if you are that attached to them.

 

[LindaLancaster]

Thankyou both for your replies. Apparently Estwing doesn't do repairs any more, and it would have been way too expensive to send them anyway. We used to have a little old cobbler who could have done it, but he closed down a few years ago. We've decided to have a bash at fixing them ourselves instead.

Thanks again

Linda

 

[oilman]

I found old saddles to be a good source of leather at a good price.

 

[Warehousewomble]

I think to get a nice tight leather fitting, it should be laced or sewn onto the handle when the leather is wet, then the leather shrinks when it dries giving a shrink wrap tight fit. Thats how they do it on some sword handles, I would assume it is the same principle.