Strange Hatchet Head

5 mile · Dec 18, 2018

Found in a bean field where a house once stood from mid 1800's

Never saw one so thin, maybe it has a special purpose?

firemanphob · Dec 18, 2018

wonder if it could have been a homemade tobacco knife. They had bolted on handles like that.

Gauntlet · Dec 18, 2018

firemanphob said:
wonder if it could have been a homemade tobacco knife. They had bolted on handles like that.

But isn't the notch for nail pulling? Like a roofing hatchet?

Or you thinking it's "re-purposed"?

Mikey48 · Dec 18, 2018

I don't believe it is a true hatchet, the head/handle would not hold together if it was used to cut or split wood. It appears to be thin across the entire body; not forged as a traditional hatchet, more like a blade. It could be some sort of brush cutter; don't know why there would be a nail puller notch on one though. A very interesting puzzle piece you have there.

kudzu · Dec 18, 2018

My understanding is they used these to make wooden shingles for roofing.
Cedar or cypress were pretty commonly used. I have found some just like yours in
VA. Dates the site pretty well. HH

hoser · Dec 19, 2018

I've never seen one like that. Very cool.

Gauntlet · Dec 20, 2018

kudzu said:
My understanding is they used these to make wooden shingles for roofing.
Cedar or cypress were pretty commonly used. I have found some just like yours in
VA. Dates the site pretty well. HH

A froe? Doesn't look like any I've seen.

Perquimans · Dec 20, 2018

I think it's a hewing hatchet blade that carpenters would use...

tomme boy · Dec 21, 2018

Go to Facebook and ask on Axe Junkies. Someone there will know exactly what it is.

HuntinDog · Dec 21, 2018

It may be an early version of a outdoorsman hatchet.
I have one similar to the one I've pictured that is buried in my camping gear that hasn't been used in 30 years.

Pulled this pic off the web

Longhair · Dec 21, 2018

Perquimans said:
I think it's a hewing hatchet blade that carpenters would use...

+1

Gauntlet · Dec 21, 2018

Perquimans said:
I think it's a hewing hatchet blade that carpenters would use...

Then why isn't it offset?

And find a pic of a similar one

jkwidener · Dec 21, 2018

Hope to have a brand name and a picture soon from a fellow collector. It is a carpenters hatchet. It would have had a laminated wood handle that would have surrounded each side of the head and pinned or riveted into place. I am attaching a picture of a newer axe that is similar in attachment at the head. But the newer one is steel handle. But gives you the idea I am talking about.

Mikey48 · Dec 22, 2018

Perquimans said:
I think it's a hewing hatchet blade that carpenters would use...

you may be correct, but it would not be very sturdy and the bolts or rivets that hold it together would not stand much use.

Strange Hatchet Head

5 mile

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