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Keen Kutter mystery hatchet

Every now and again a "heavy hatchet" in this pattern pops up. I don't believe anyone has come up with a pattern name, but they are basically a big, beefy boys axe with a hardened poll. They were probably used in a construction environment such as timber framing in mines, tracklaying(?), or other such tasks where having a small, heavy tool one could use for trimming wood and pounding iron was essential.
 
I don’t have a tape measure handy but here’s my plumb barrel hatchet🪓 (kk and plumb) side by side for reference, it’s maybe a pound n change
 
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Is that the original handle,does it have a keen kutter wedge in it?Couldnt find much about this one either.
 

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Sure looks like one of those claw hatchets without the claws.
It also appears to have been soaked in vinegar at some point.
Maybe the handle is original, but there seems to be a sizable gap at the back of the eye next to the poll.
 
NOT SAYING the hatchet was modified, but claws can be removed without using a grinder and marks can be removed.



Bob
 
junkenstien said:
Is that the original handle,does it have a keen kutter wedge in it?Couldnt find much about this one either.
Click to expand...
To me, that looks like this one?
UGQCwbT.jpg



Bob
 
Steel wedge also... more I look at catalog picture handle looks original total length is 13 1/2. Blade width is 3 inches ….5 n 3/8 poll too blade.. 1 n 9/16 x 7/16 poll end…
 
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Thank you Bob it sure is.There is an old thread here has anyone seen a keen kutter hatchet like this that has a picture just like yours.maybe the hunter didnt have claws and the engineer did.
 
junkenstien said:
Thank you Bob it sure is.There is an old thread here has anyone seen a keen kutter hatchet like this that has a picture just like yours.maybe the hunter didnt have claws and the engineer did.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have seen that hatchet. I came across one a couple of years ago. Unfortunately it was abused by an angle grinder or else I would own it.
Nice hatchet...
 
A17 said:
Every now and again a "heavy hatchet" in this pattern pops up. I don't believe anyone has come up with a pattern name, but they are basically a big, beefy boys axe with a hardened poll. They were probably used in a construction environment such as timber framing in mines, tracklaying(?), or other such tasks where having a small, heavy tool one could use for trimming wood and pounding iron was essential.
Click to expand...
It’s not a large hatchet, or at least the one I saw wasn’t. Perhaps hunter size.
A real beauty.
 
Very Interesting that the lugs are closed at the back of the eye, I've never really seen that before.
When looking at the side profile it gives the appearance that the handle is undersized because the eye of a head is usually as long front to back as the lugs are.
 
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