Carpenter hatchets for woodsbumming

[dipbait]

I often wear heavy carpenter pants in the woods. They have a hammer loop sewed into them. Yesterday I tried carrying an Estwing hatchet there and almost lost it. A carpenters hatchet [like the one pictured] would carry like a hammer.

A local thrift store has numerous such hatchets, they are old. Im tempted to buy one.I dont know why they wouldnt chop wood , hack limbs.., as well as the Estwing.I have a couple of questions for anyone in the know.

What brands should I look for?

A used one is gonna be dull. Any sharpening tips? I have no grinding wheel, but have files and diamond stones ranging from very coarse to fine.

 

[kvaughn]

Ive seen those modded into a pretty cool tomahawk by some guy in the axe and tomahawk sub-forum. --KV

 

[Briarbrow]

I'd call that a rigging axe. Carpenter's should be single bevel- which is not an ideal general purpose axe.

In the end an axe is an axe so I don't know why the rigger would not suit. Yeah; very modable.

On the other hand what if you modified your hammer loops to hold the estwing. Is the axe sheathed? Speaking of other-hand; why is the hammer loop always on the left side?

 

[MIKE MACINTOSH]

The flat edge on a carpenters hatchet spreads the impact of the chop over to large an area . it feel's like chopping with a brick. picture driving on a flat tire

 

[dipbait]

The flat edge on a carpenters hatchet spreads the impact of the chop over to large an area . it feel's like chopping with a brick. or driving on a flat tire

I see. It needs to be a rounded edge , makes sense. Im not gonna mod one, dont have the equipment.

 

[Mistwalker]

I'd call that a rigging axe. Carpenter's should be single bevel- which is not an ideal general purpose axe.

In the end an axe is an axe so I don't know why the rigger would not suit. Yeah; very modable.

On the other hand what if you modified your hammer loops to hold the estwing. Is the axe sheathed? Speaking of other-hand; why is the hammer loop always on the left side?

Yep, had an old Plumb or Blue Grass Carpenters axe nearly 30 years ago when I first started as a young apprentice. Liked it at work, hated it in the woods because of the single bevel.

Having been a finish carpenter for some years I'd say that it's because the natural tendency is to walk on and pass on the right side in hall ways, doorways, and stairs and such. The hammer on the left side keeps it from scratching up the expensive woodwork... wainscoting, spindles, newel posts, door jambs and what have you.

 

[Briarbrow]

Yep, had an old Plumb or Blue Grass Carpenters axe nearly 30 years ago when I first started as a young apprentice. Liked it at work, hated it in the woods because of the single bevel.

Having been a finish carpenter for some years I'd say that it's because the natural tendency is to walk on and pass on the right side in hall ways, doorways, and stairs and such. The hammer on the left side keeps it from scratching up the expensive woodwork... wainscoting, spindles, newel posts, door jambs and what have you.

Hmm, that's as good as any reason. I did the same work for a number of years. I liked it

 

[Raymond1000]

I'd call that a rigging axe. Carpenter's should be single bevel- which is not an ideal general purpose axe.

In the end an axe is an axe so I don't know why the rigger would not suit. Yeah; very modable.

On the other hand what if you modified your hammer loops to hold the estwing. Is the axe sheathed? Speaking of other-hand; why is the hammer loop always on the left side?

If you’re wearing a leather carpenter’s belt, the hammer loop will be rigid. Stiff leather or metal. Wearing your hammer on the right side works just fine. You can draw and replace your beater without fuss.

Carpenters wore overalls long before leather nailbags came in. If you’re wearing cloth overalls, the hammer loop is also cloth, and not so rigid. Try to return your hammer to a loop on the right side involves poking and prodding and wishing you had an extra hand to open that damned loop. An extra hand to help in restowing your hammer is exactly what you have when you use the left side loop. Right hand holds the hammer head. Left hand opens the loop and guides the hammer’s handle through it.

 

[j_d]

I used to use an old craftsman that was really good. I liked the heat treat as it would really hold an edge and resist chipping. I have taken to using a small, cheap belt sander (<$40) to convex and keep the edge thin. Just use some sense if you do that but my hatches and axe will all shave. And yes its not necessary for them to be that sharp but it makes some jobs easier.

Personally I like a wide (flat?) edge when chopping. It is more efficient imo. Sorta like using a machette with lots of blade face. Using a short blade like a tomahawk always gave me the feeling of chipping away at whatever i was chopping. While good for penetration I would rather bite into large amounts/cross sections of the wood I'm removing. I would give them a try and post pics.

Josh

 

[Briarbrow]

If you’re wearing a leather carpenter’s belt, the hammer loop will be rigid. Stiff leather or metal. Wearing your hammer on the right side works just fine. You can draw and replace your beater without fuss.

Carpenters wore overalls long before leather nailbags came in. If you’re wearing cloth overalls, the hammer loop is also cloth, and not so rigid. Try to return your hammer to a loop on the right side involves poking and prodding and wishing you had an extra hand to open that damned loop. An extra hand to help in restowing your hammer is exactly what you have when you use the left side loop. Right hand holds the hammer head. Left hand opens the loop and guides the hammer’s handle through it.

I am a carpenter- the idea of opening the loop and reaching across your body is getting no vote.
I take the hammer out with left/transfer to right, put it back left handed as well. The loop should be on the right. if you are holding a workpiece with your left and want to do some hammering...it's ridiculous.

My friend dipbait; the only reason i continue to pursue this in your thread- you may want to have a loop on the right as well. Not, could lead to awkward situations. How do you work your loop; or are you lucky enough to be left handed?

 

[dipbait]

I am a carpenter- the idea of opening the loop and reaching across your body is getting no vote.
I take the hammer out with left/transfer to right, put it back left handed as well. The loop should be on the right. if you are holding a workpiece with your left and want to do some hammering...it's ridiculous.

My friend dipbait; the only reason i continue to pursue this in your thread- you may want to have a loop on the right as well. Not, could lead to awkward situations. How do you work your loop; or are you lucky enough to be left handed?

Left side right side makes no difference to me. Usually when I take a hatchet in the woods its to hack off limbs and remove unwanted saplings. . As long as the hatchet will stay in the loop is all that matters.

 

[Raymond1000]

I am a carpenter- the idea of opening the loop and reaching across your body is getting no vote.
I take the hammer out with left/transfer to right, put it back left handed as well. The loop should be on the right. if you are holding a workpiece with your left and want to do some hammering...it's ridiculous.

My friend dipbait; the only reason i continue to pursue this in your thread- you may want to have a loop on the right as well. Not, could lead to awkward situations. How do you work your loop; or are you lucky enough to be left handed?

When I was a kid I watched my Dad sling his hammer on the left side, just as I described. So did the other carpenters Dad hired on his contracting jobs. (I never watched my Grandfather on a jobsite, so I don’t know how he did it.) For as long as I wore overalls I did the same thing. I suspect a tradition there that shaped the design of carpenter’s overalls. I believe the original question was, “Why is the loop on the left side?”

By the time I joined the union apprenticeship program I’d shifted to leather bags, so the question no longer arose.

As long as you have something that works for you it’s all good.

 

[Mistwalker]

Hmm, that's as good as any reason. I did the same work for a number of years. I liked it

I enjoy the work, still do it at times...prefer to be out with my camera most of the time now though, that has become my artistic outlet.

 

[spike116]

The loop on the left side was not intended as a hammer loop. It was to hold the top of welding rods stuck into the pocket directly underneath. You could then grab rod and insert it while holding the stinger open with your right hand. I don't remember where i read this though.
The old timers i worked with used to tie a large hog ring through the straps on the cloth aprons to hold their hammers.