[OP]
Member
My father in-law gave me these hatchets. I am not sure about the broad hatchet, the the carpenters hatchet was his fathers. His father was a carpenter and carried his large toolbox on the train into Chicago every day.
i will clean these up, replace the handles, and add them to my tools!
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Contributor
Always good to see rusty old tools being cleaned up and put to work.
Contributor
The first hatchet looks like a hewing head. These will have a bevel on only one side unless a bevel was added to the back. There is usually a slight curvature to the 'flat' back at the edge.
A quick consult with Dr. Google indicates a carpenters axe/hatchet being somewhat like a hewing axe/hatchet but with a flat instead of curved backside. Everyone needs at least one of every type, no?
The second hatchet looks like what some call a shingling hatchet. Hammer head for driving roofing nails. The sharp edge if for splitting wooden shake shingles and there is a nail puller.
jtk
Last edited by Jim Koepke; 05-06-2019 at 1:52 PM. Reason: Quick Googling
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
As a side note, my hatchet/axe accumulation is starting to grow. Maybe my self control can keep it from growing like my plane accumulation.
There is always hope...
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
Handles look good to me, as do the hatchets overall.
I keep a pair of hewing hatchets, that face opposite directions. I use them when we're hewing a beam, on large knots. I have an easier time trimming a big knot with the hatchets than with the big hewing axe.
Member
That Keen Kutter is a great hatchet with excellent steel. Very sought after, especially with that exceptional etch/stamp. Great gift. Perhaps you can rehang it on the same handle?
*** "I have gained insights from many sources... experts, tradesman & novices.... no one has a monopoly on good ideas." Jim Dailey, SMC, Feb. 19, 2007
*** "The best way to get better is to leave your ego in the parking lot."----Eddie Wood, 1994
*** We discovered that he had been educated beyond his intelligence........
*** Student of Rigonomics & Gizmology
Waste Knot Woods
Rice, VA
Contributor
Dad had those same two when I was growing up. I preferred my genuine Boy Scouts of America field hatchet. It was shinier. I sure wish I had the two old ones now, especially the hewing one, known at the time as the bent one that was only sharpened on one side. If I had only known
Sharp solves all manner of problems.
Member
Don’t mean to hijack but can anyone point me towards an article on sharpening a right handed hatchet? I might be using it wrong but it is really fighting me.
I did search for info but struck out
Member
This early Shingling Hatchet was made by Robert Sorby & Sons (Sheffield, England).
[OP]
Member
Leonard Lee has a whole chapter on axes in his book.Originally Posted by Mike Cornwall
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Also Google either “sharpening hewing axe” or “sharpening side axe” turns up several videos.
Last edited by John Isgren; 05-08-2019 at 8:14 AM.
Member
Maybe you and the OP are long lost in laws? LOL!Dad had those same two when I was growing up. I preferred my genuine Boy Scouts of America field hatchet. It was shinier. I sure wish I had the two old ones now, especially the hewing one, known at the time as the bent one that was only sharpened on one side. If I had only known
Contributor
Hi Jim
If you start to loose control on this slope maybe you can just switch tracks and unload the planes.
An axe collection would be fun.
Contributor
First off, if it is called a "collection," all hope is lost.
Unloading the planes is a difficult proposition. All of mine are used. Just sold one of my #8s and there is a little regret. The #8 that remains feels a touch heavier than the one with a corrugated sole.
It is becoming clear to me with planes larger than a #5 there isn't a need for multiple set ups.
The #5 is one of the sizes where multiples can be useful.
For hatchets and axes, it is nice to have a few smaller examples for the wife and grandkids. Then a few specialty axes/hatches for hewing or wood splitting.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
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