Roofer's Hatchet !

Snake Dr.

Snake Dr.

Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
1,192
I picked this Beauty up at a Swap Meet Today and I've never seen one quite like this one, The Handle look's Original and Is a Beautiful Wood perfect fit 14 1/4" total length from Hatchet top to the bottom "And this Hatchet Head Is a tight fit no play at all super snug fit I even did some Chopping to test It and It can Cut "I wonder If It's some sort of an Old Carpenter's Hatchet ? The Hatchet Head Is 7" Long from Hammer to the Cutting Edge, The Hatchet Is 2 3/16" Broad and at the Cutting Edge It measure's 2 1/4", The Blade Is Super Thin 1/16", I've never seen one this thin and Super Sharp, I'm not sure how Old It Is but It's got a nice aged patina Finish to It, Best $3.00 I ever spent !

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In this picturte you can see a small ding/dent In the Hammer there's a dent on each side of the Hammer,

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Here's a picture for a Blade thickness comparison beside my 1/8" thick Blade Lakota Folder,

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im not sure about a roofers hatchet but its definitely for a specialized purpose. ive never seen one quite like that. very interesting
 
savageknives said:
im not sure about a roofers hatchet but its definitely for a specialized purpose.
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Carpentry hachets are generally finer because they work on harder seasoned wood, they are meant for precision job like joinery and blows are expected to be done in a more controlled fashion.
The edge is curved but it was probably meant to be straight and was resharpened in a more multi-purpose fashion by a later owner.
Same for handle, I'd say this latter replacement. Those generally come with a straight handle.

Those squared axes are generally primarly meant for joinery work.

Nice find.

(from my limited relative knowledge as hobbyist axe collector/user point of view)
 
Ravaillac said:
Carpentry hachets are generally finer because they work on harder seasoned wood, they are meant for precision job like joinery and blows are expected to be done in a more controlled fashion.
The edge is curved but it was probably meant to be straight and was resharpened in a more multi-purpose fashion by a later owner.
Same for handle, I'd say this latter replacement. Those generally come with a straight handle.

Those squared axes are generally primarly meant for joinery work.

Nice find.

(from my limited relative knowledge as hobbyist axe collector/user point of view)
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Thank's for your Input, And I think/know your right about being rehandle'ed, This Wood Is to Nice and cant be as Old as this Carpenter's Hatchet, Who ever put the Handle on this did an Excellent Job, I got a Friend who Is a Wood Carver and I'm gonna show It to him and see what he's think's ? Here's a couple more picture's of the Hatchet,

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I think you'll find that it's a lathing hatchet. Used to have a couple like that in my youth (and wish I still did).
 
Search online for lathing hatchet, lath hatchet or lath hammer. They still make them. Both carpenters hatchets and shingling hatchets are thicker with differently shaped blades.
 
Snake Dr. said:
Yep your right on this one, Thank's for your Input, Plumb stll make's a nice one, Not a bad price either, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000787WL0
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Thank goodness! I had to be right sometime :D There's a lot I don't know about hatchets, but this one I did know because I spent a lot of time with one of those in my hand in the late 50's or early 60's. I think my first one cost around $8 back then. As soon as I get a couple of bucks together, I think I'll get another one. They are surprisingly handy for wood work and carving type stuff.
 
As Snake Dr. pointed out, they're still available from Amazon and other places. I think I'll pick one up, too. One of the things you might notice is that the head is shaped a lot like many of the hawks that are around, but with a shorter handle.

Back in the early sixties I used lathing hatchets to carve Tiki gods from palm tree trunks. I was getting about $60 per Tiki, which was really good money at the time, especially for a 15 or 16 year old kid. That's one of the reasons I remember those old hatchets so fondly, and I remember that they were superb cutters. I have a feeling that they would work very well for some wood crafting chores.
 
I sure love older hatchets of all kinds. Nice one Snake. You must have a great collection.
 
Teague said:
I sure love older hatchets of all kinds. Nice one Snake. You must have a great collection.
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Thank's Teague, I like the Old Timer's also, And like I said after seeing your Work "I am Motivated" I got quite a few to restore, One Is a Double Bit Plumb that's gonna get a Whole New Look !
 
Anyone have pictures of a newer one? I just picked a Plums that has a wider blade and a deeper nail puller?
 
I've been keeping an eye on E-Bay for Lathing Hatchet's and there's been some pretty Good Buy's, Some Real Nice Older one's,
 
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