Recommendation? Bell Systems Stanley Linesman's Hatchet

N

Nate Higgins

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May 5, 2019
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Finally bought a cool looking hatchet in a thrift store that I'd had my eyes on. Marked "Bell Systems" on one side and Stanley on the other. With some research I found out this cool piece was used by powerline workers around the 60's. The store guy told me it was worth around $50 but I've got no intention of selling the thing, rather, I'd like to use it as a general purpose camping hatchet kinda deal.
The thing's got a pretty blunt edge to it, and during my research I found that they came blunt like that, and were used mostly for making marks in the poles. What I'd like to do is sharpen the thing, and I'm wondering if you guys had any recommendations on how to go about doing it. The head looks to me like its in pretty good shape save for a dent on the edge and a little rust. The handle looks like it might be a replacement but I'm not too sure.
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To be honest it may be easier to find a decent 1.25lb hatchet to use. The amount of metal removal to get a nice cutting edge on those hatchets is massive. I have one myself (thanks JB lol). They are very thick all the way through. Very cool piece though. That one looks like an early on e too!
 
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A much as I love modding axes, I wouldn't suggest doing so to a vintage tool. I don't know how rare they are, but I don't see them pop up often.

Also, as was said already, that's a LOT of material to remove to achieve a functional edge. And by then, not sure what effect that square hole will have on edge strength.
 
That square cut out in the blade’s used as a wrench for square nuts on cross arm king bolts? Or possibly fire hydrant wrench?
 
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As others mentioned, it's probably better to just get your hands on a normal double-beveled broad hatchet if that's what you're after. Sharpening this one would cause all sorts of problems.
 
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