‘German army specialty hatchet”

[Mick Boardman]

This is being marketed as a “German army specialty hatchet”. I say it’s been hit with a cutting torch and now the paperweight is up for sale. Anyone here ever see anything on the contrary?

 

[Hickory n steel]

It's a Bridgeport scout hatchet copy, I know they were commonly imported back in the 70's but I don't know if they were ever German military issue and have no clue about the modified bit.

 

[DocJD]

WAG : Supposed to be weaponized now . But it's just stupid , IMO .

Useless for wood processing .

 

[Dusty One]

I agree paperweight !

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It's a less-common crash axe geometry. Very likely not modified. It's meant to act like a can opener on sheet metal. Here's another example on a larger axe.

 

[Mick Boardman]

It's a less-common crash axe geometry. Very likely not modified. It's meant to act like a can opener on sheet metal. Here's another example on a larger axe.

I never thought Ina million years that it was a legit tool, it just looked too strange and edge and I thought someone was trying to make their own GreyMatter type hawk using a blow torch. I figured if I post to BF I would find out for sure. Thanks

 

[Danke42]

Now it just got more expensive.

 

[Mick Boardman]

Ok, so this tool is in my collection now.

 

[SharpBits]

It probably cuts through sheet metal much faster than a plain edge. Seems to be a benefit for a crash axe.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Never in a million years would I have expected this to be factory.
I could not imagine a single reason somebody would have modified the bit this way or why the specific shape, but never imagined it being factory or having a legitimate and possibly quite effective purpose either.

That sheath looks to be of good quality and quite intentional too.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Some, like the full-sized axe I linked a picture to, have rectangular bars welded either side of the bit to prevent sinking too deep through the sheet metal and help with leverage in withdrawing the bit. It's a less common crash axe bit shape, but I've seen a decent number of different ones over the years.