Another forgotten tool , the Carpenters Hatchet

[formariz 11,988]

Also pretty much totally forgotten today, is the Carpenters Hatchet. Built unlike other hatchets it features the obvious hammer end. It is however the edge end that makes it an incredibly efficient tool. It is much thinner in section and usually beautifully balanced. It is also handled differently since it is used in a different manner usually choking it or even handling the blade. Essentially it is more of an adze than a hatchet and used as such. Here it is used many times as a combination carving tool and draw knife. It is kept razor sharp. I have a different bevel on each side since I am right handed and use it on much as stated before. It is an elegant tool that is very useful in all aspects of carpentry. There was a time when it was a common tool in a carpenters tool box. Today of course most have never even seen one much less use them. 
 

 Elegant and light

 

Designed to fit one’s hand upfront

 

Thin well balanced head

 

Well tempered edge like a good chisel

 

   Will take a razor edge and keep it

works like an adze

 

can be used like a carving tool or drawknife

one of my favorite tools

Edited February 7, 2022 by formariz

[WHNJ701 4,165]

My wife's grandfather's, we called them shingle hammers.  

[formariz 11,988]

9 minutes ago, jabelman said:

My wife's grandfather's, we called them shingle hammers.  

Yes, similar but a usually a little different in cross section. Usually a heavier blade not tapering so much. As time went on newer models became substantially different losing some of the earlier features that had made them so useful for some of the originally intended tasks. Like everything else .

[WHNJ701 4,165]

They do come in handy, there's a few others in the garden sheds

[OutdoorEnvy 1,589]

That is an awesome carpenter's hatchet farmariz!  You have it in tip top shape too!  I love old hand tools!  Don't get me started on them...but here is a nice Plumb carpenter's head I need to get a handle for soon.  It was pretty dirty but cleaned up nice and looks hardly used!  It is sharp and ready for a handle!  Used to you could get wooden handles at the hardware store for about anything, now you have to order most of them.

 

The head in the pic is on my C-100 project tractor so technically fits in with the forum here  

 

 

 

[midpack 903]

I just used one yesterday... to chop a channel in ice to drain water... lol

 

I DID carefully dry and oil it afterward!   

[formariz 11,988]

@jabelman@OutdoorEnvy, Good to see others using them. It’s a great tool. It’s one of my favorite tools. Love making long chamfers and Lamb’s tongues with them. 
 

 The handles are easy to make. Not as contoured as a usual hatchet since it is used differently. 

[formariz 11,988]

You can see the difference here from the early original versions. Much thicker cross section . By then mostly roofers used them and split shingles by striking shingle on face amongst other uses. Early versions are much more like an adze blade having less than half of the weight. The newer version is too heavy in cross section to be used like that.

[OutdoorEnvy 1,589]

So what's the head weight on yours @formariz? is it 1lb or under?  Mine is 1.5lbs and isn't as slim profiled as yours.  Profile on yours looks great though...maybe you should send me yours and after a few years of use I'll have my own opinion

[stevasaurus 22,882]

I knew I had one of those.  Shows more use then Cas's.  I think it was my Grandfathers.  Has Collins & CO on the blade.

 

 

 

 

 

[Southern_Secret 463]

I'v always called them a framing hatchet, but that's all I use when building structures. It has not and never will be forgotten around my homestead.

[formariz 11,988]

5 minutes ago, OutdoorEnvy said:

So what's the head weight on yours @formariz? is it 1lb or under?  Mine is 1.5lbs and isn't as slim profiled as yours.  Profile on yours looks great though...maybe you should send me yours and after a few years of use I'll have my own opinion

One pound including handle. Haha, This one will never leave here. It’s been loved and well used all of its life. It’s actually very hard to find one like this . 

  Got to always hide it when grandchildren are here. An accident with it will not be minor. Even I have to be careful with it. 
 

 

 

[formariz 11,988]

6 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

I knew I had one of those.  Shows more use then Cas's.  I think it was my Grandfathers.  Has Collins & CO on the blade.

 

 

 

 

 

WOW. I actually never seen one worn to the nail slot like that. That guy really worked a lot.

[formariz 11,988]

10 minutes ago, Southern_Secret said:

I'v always called them a framing hatchet, but that's all I use when building structures. It has not and never will be forgotten around my homestead.

Everyone calls them something different depending on its main use, but they all are Carpenters hatchets . If one does any timber framing it is indispensable from adjusting tenons , making pegs, running chamfers, lambs tongues etc, etc. it can take the place of several other tools .

[stevasaurus 22,882]

Cas, I just noticed mine and yours have the same regular hammer head, not like the others shown.  Mine is also thinner then the others, but not quite as thin as yours.  It is also really sharp, even with some minor nicks in the blade.  

[Pullstart 63,109]

I’ve got one of those.  I’ve never realized what it’s design is for!

[formariz 11,988]

31 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

Cas, I just noticed mine and yours have the same regular hammer head, not like the others shown.  Mine is also thinner then the others, but not quite as thin as yours.  It is also really sharp, even with some minor nicks in the blade.  

Older ones will have the hammer head shape like that and of course be thinner. Later they became heavier with a thick cross section . The nice smooth shapes like where to rest ones finger became less pronounced. A lot easier to produce and as times went on the usage changed.

[formariz 11,988]

13 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I’ve got one of those.  I’ve never realized what it’s design is for!

Great to see them all coming out now. Keep it out and use it. Handiest of tools. Even when splitting wood it is good to have on hand to separate stubborn stringy pieces like when splitting elm.

[Pullstart 63,109]

I do know that I need a new handle on it.  It has about umpteen nails as wedges, maybe some screws, other wooden wedges, etc… and it’s still loose!  I kept it in the basement at the old house, next to the wood stove for splitting little kindling.  It’s nowhere near razor sharp!

[formariz 11,988]

19 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I do know that I need a new handle on it.  It has about umpteen nails as wedges, maybe some screws, other wooden wedges, etc… and it’s still loose!  I kept it in the basement at the old house, next to the wood stove for splitting little kindling.  It’s nowhere near razor sharp!

 Properly making but more importantly installing a handle on a tool so it stays for the life of tool is also sort of a lost art. Lots to know and understand in that subject. Fitting and correct wedging are critical. If done correctly should never get loose. The looseness is also created many times through negligence and improper use of tool. Additional wedges, nails and submerging in water are all mistakes that will just prolong the misery of using a tool in that condition. It is altogether dangerous. 
 After fitting a handle I always melt wax onto end sealing it. Perhaps I’ll do a “making and fitting handles thread?”

[Kenneth R Cluley 535]

I've got my Grandfather's on my bench right now. Use it all the time and consider myself lucky to have it. Think of him every time I use it. 

[Skwerl58 711]

Great tool! Dad gave me his last year and I had to redo the handle after years of use. I took the handle out and trimmed it up and reinstalled it. Fits great just little shorter. I get my new handles from a company by the name of House Handle that produces handles for about anything. Good quality and price.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

There is or used to be a dude on eBay that sold odd ball unfinished hickory handles.  I think he has business that makes nice ones but  he was selling the "seconds" handles in lots of 5, 10 etc... , He would send a mix of different sizes.  Cheap too.  I bought a bunch to fix up the various heads I picked up.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,987]

1 hour ago, formariz said:

Perhaps I’ll do a “making and fitting handles thread?”

I for one would appreciate that. Periodic issue with Dad’s and Grandpa’s old tools…

Edited February 8, 2022 by SylvanLakeWH

[tunahead72 2,439]

3 hours ago, formariz said:

 ... Perhaps I’ll do a “making and fitting handles thread?” ...

 

Yes, please!