Builders/Riggers Hatchets

mikehopkins

mikehopkins

Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
90
I know nothing about axes other than the basics of how to operate one and what I have been reading here. I was making an order on line of tools for my job and noticed the Builder's or Riggers Hatchets. The ones with a broad blade and a hammer head on the back side. A couple had a nail puller groove on the bottom of the blade. I just wondered if this would be any use in a survival kit? I have read some comments about hitting the back of a regular axe and worry over damaging the eye of the axe. This has a hammer head for smacking things like tent stakes etc. Just curious. Never saw any mentioned here. I would not want to tote the thing backpacking but what about in a SHTF pack? Like I said I am just asking as I don't know.
 
i bought an old Stanley version at a hardware store a couple of years ago and rehandled it. it was my only hatchet for a while. it worked about as well as any other hatchet, i thought.

the only thing i didn't like about it was that it was hard to baton through wood to split it, both due to the large beard and the small striking surface on the back.

apart from that though, it has been a fine hatchet.
 
mikehopkins said:
I know nothing about axes other than the basics of how to operate one and what I have been reading here. I was making an order on line of tools for my job and noticed the Builder's or Riggers Hatchets. The ones with a broad blade and a hammer head on the back side. A couple had a nail puller groove on the bottom of the blade. I just wondered if this would be any use in a survival kit? I have read some comments about hitting the back of a regular axe and worry over damaging the eye of the axe. This has a hammer head for smacking things like tent stakes etc. Just curious. Never saw any mentioned here. I would not want to tote the thing backpacking but what about in a SHTF pack? Like I said I am just asking as I don't know.
Click to expand...

Home depot sells a real beefy contractors hatchet.
It's probably more useful for SHTF then any tomahawk ever made and it's cheap.
 
My only reservation is that for their size they are kinda heavy. Not great for long term carry (for the same weight you can get a better wood's hatchet).
 
it may be just me but its allways felt like a carpenters hatchet took about twice the effert to chop through wood even when sharp. also the impact of each chop was felt through the handle. It was much worse than my old Plumb Boy Scout axe.I suspect it was the head profile and that long flat cutting edge.IMHO for about the same price there are better choices for for use in the forrest than a Carpenters hatchet:) all though in an emergency ya use what ya got.
 
That style of hatchet was made for working with shingles, typically cedar shakes used in roofing and siding that have traditionally been so popular here in New England.

The blade really designed for splitting and shaping these thin boards, not for chopping wood.

The hammer head and nail puller made it the only tool needed for most shingle work.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top