Kessler

First, I appreciate your input and advice tremendously. I live in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida and have seen a farrier truck or two in the area. Maybe I could ask him if he could and would do it for me. I don't want to put much $$ in this project as the hatchets aren't special, but I would like them to work as intended too. I think I'll temporarily affix handles to these two and try cutting a metal coathanger on a 2x4. If it cuts with no problem, no nicks or indentations, I should be good to go? And IF it does mess up the edge, I will put both in a campfire trying to heat the cutting portion of the hatchet hotter than the rest until it is (red hot?) and then quench in used cooking oil (I have half a drum of this) that is heated to about 140F. Then once cool, wipe down and heat in my kitchen oven at 350 for an hour and let cool naturally? Am I on the right track here or should I change my way of thinking? Red hot ok in the fire or something a little different? Thanks again!!

Totally new, so please forgive my ignorance. I have two older hatchet heads that have been in a fire and were somewhat battered up too, but I have cleaned them up and sharpened and they look great. My worry is, since they were in a fire, how do I know if they are still tempered w/o putting on new handles and cutting a tree? Can I re-temper these? I haven't a forge, but can I heat these in a kitchen oven or maybe in an outside wood "campfire" and quench? I haven't coal, but can I use charcoal? I just hate to put new handles on these hatchet heads and find out they are not tempered or have lost their temper. Any help is appreciated as I am lost....thanks!