Carpenters Hatchet Recommendation

A

amflud

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Jun 10, 2009
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Let me start by saying that I have very limited experience with axes and hatchets.

I'm looking for a hatchet that I can use for light camping tasks, such as kindling and driving tent stakes. I think I've got it narrowed down to a carpenters hatchet, but I'm open to other suggestions. Not really looking for a tomohawk. I think I'd prefer something vintage. Are there any brands/models I should keep an eye out for? I'm open to making a project out of it, which brings me to my next question. Can anyone point me toward some reference material with regards to hanging/refurb and the basic tools needed?

I really appreciate any and all help here. I hope I haven't thrown out too many questions.

Adam
 
Thank you for the reply.

I was looking around and first discovered them yesterday. I don't see myself pulling any nails so for my purposes I don't see any usefulness of the claw. It might help in pulling tent stakes, so I'll give it some consideration. I definitely like the heft of it.

Nice work, by the way.
 
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I like the carpenters hatchet for camping. What it gives up in wood splitting ability it makes up for in stake pounding ability. You should make an edge protector for it so you don't loose an ear or something while pounding stakes. A new 22oz carpenters hatchet was about $20 last year so I wouldn't pay a lot for a vintage 'working' head. The handle has to fit the eye on the head. You want a little more meat on the handle so you can shape it to fit the eye in the head.
 
The Graintex Hatchet makes a great camping tool. There are plenty of threads in this forum about it, and it has good reviews. Best of all, you can buy one delivered for less than $20.
 
I have three carpenters hatchets. Plumb, Vaughn, and Kelly. I enjoy each of them, but particularly the balance of the Plumb. The Kelly is a 'Hand Made' Tommy Axe, and features a nail puller that the others do not, but overall I like the Plumb the most.
 
I have a few hatchets. The ones made for carpentry work would not be my first choice for camping. They have thin blades that are made to cut straight lines. I suspect that the hardened poll is what attracts you to these?
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Here are three hatchets as an example. The first one is a Plumb, I think it would be a cedar pattern. The poll on some of these seem to be hardened. At least some will chip before they mushroom. They come in different sizes and would be my first choice. The second hatchet is a vintage Kelly. Its nice. As long as your tent stakes are not steel you should be good to go. The third hatchet is a little Everlast hewing hatchet. Much the same blade geometry you get with carpenter hatchets. It does have a hardened poll forge welded on. But just not the head for the task. At least for me.
 
Yes, the hardened poll is what I'm after. Something with cheeks that are as flat as possible would be ideal.

I appreciate everyone's input.
 
amflud said:
Let me start by saying that I have very limited experience with axes and hatchets.
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amflud said:
Something with cheeks that are as flat as possible would be ideal.

I appreciate everyone's input.
Click to expand...


Are you sure you want flat cheeks? Why? Do you know the advantages of flat cheeks versus the advantages of convex cheeks? For your stated purpose of "light camping tasks" I would prefer a hatchet with convex cheeks. Convex cheeks give up little to flat cheeks in carving and gain a lot when it comes to chopping and splitting.
 
I guess I just meant I don't want dished cheeks, like Estwing hatchets. Yes, I would prefer convex to flat, I just haven't seen any carpenters hatchets with convex cheeks.
 
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