shinglin hatchet

[Branson]

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a shingling hatchet like this one.  It's something I will need in the next year or so for the mountain howitzer tool kit I'm  working on.  I find them on eBay, most often with serious pitting, which would be inappropriate for display or demo.

[keykeeper]

Exactly like that, or some variation to the position of the poll? I see these quite often. Be glad to help ya find one.

I'm going to a HUGE farm auction in a few weeks, tons of flats with small hand tools like this usually in it. If I can spot out one at the preview, I'll try to get it for you.

I may have one out in the shed, I'll have to look.

[mikeswrenches]

Branson, I have one of these that you are welcome to have.  It isn't in perfect shape.  Does it have to be any certain length along the edge?

Mike

[Branson]

Branson, I have one of these that you are welcome to have.  It isn't in perfect shape.  Does it have to be any certain length along the edge?

Mike

PM me on this.  I don't have to have perfect shape, just usable.  No dimensions were given as far as I can find.

Field artificers were issued these and two other hatchets -- a claw hatchet and a broad hatchet.  The shingling hatchet and the claw hatchet, according to Eric Sloane, were the first hatchets mass produced in the US, about 1845. 

[scottg]

You won;t have any trouble getting one of these. I have had several but not now.
The claw hatchet though?
There might have been more of these made than anything. But they are really hard to find.
 Or rather, easy to find in horrible condition, but hard to find in even decent shape.

 I have one in typically abused, neglected, ruined condition. I have had 3 in my life, all howling dogs.
  yours Scott

[mikeswrenches]

Branson, Here are pictures of the broad hatchet I PM'd you about.  Will put the other one in a separate post.

Mike

[mikeswrenches]

Branson, Here are the shinglin hatchet pic's.

Mike

[scottg]

Hey Mike that is  a nice ax!
 If the other side is totally flat, it was set up for left hand use.
Broad hatchets could be set either way.
 
 I am naturally left handed, and have set up an ax up for that, but its too late.   I have swung an ax with my right too long, and I can't get used to it now.
  yours Scott

[johnsironsanctuary]

Branson, I have a pretty claw hatchet that you are welcome to. It may be kinda new for what you are doing.

[Branson]

Branson, I have a pretty claw hatchet that you are welcome to. It may be kinda new for what you are doing.

That is one gorgeous claw hatchet.  Like Scott said, they are seldom found in this condition.  It is, however,
a newer pattern.  While I love the way this one looks, and its condition, I'd worry about it being later than
the period I'll be demonstrating.  I mean, I'd really love this hatchet, but it would stay home for reenactments.

I have a real addiction to hatchets and axes!

[Branson]

You won;t have any trouble getting one of these. I have had several but not now.
The claw hatchet though?
There might have been more of these made than anything. But they are really hard to find.
 Or rather, easy to find in horrible condition, but hard to find in even decent shape.

 I have one in typically abused, neglected, ruined condition. I have had 3 in my life, all howling dogs.
  yours Scott

The trick is finding one when you need it  *now.*  When you don't *have to* have one, they pop up.
(though all three have popped up here in three days!  And in decent shape!)

The hardest to find is the claw hatchet.  I've found two decent ones over the past 30 years, maybe three.
Most have at least one of the claws busted off, often both.  I bought both the good ones for other's
collections, so I'm left with one with broken claw, and one that looks like it spent 50 years under ground,
and looks like it has the world's worst case of acne -- sound, but ugly as sin.

[crankshaftdan II]

I dug these out of my archives--Plvmb-Craftsman-Collins-All three are available for adoption!

[bird]

That thins is gorgeous!
cheers,
bird.

Branson, I have a pretty claw hatchet that you are welcome to. It may be kinda new for what you are doing.

[bird]

Hmmmm,  I have a gorgeous shinglin hatchet. I  honed it to be quite sharp, sharper then it probably needed to be. I was thinking of sharpening it more like a chisel then a wedge.  Needless to say, I severed a tendon with it and had to have surgery....  most of you have heard about that before. But, it will cut the heck out of anything!!!!!!!!  Oh, just reminiscing! Hope you find what you're looking for!
cheers,
bird. 

[Branson]

Hmmmm,  I have a gorgeous shinglin hatchet. I  honed it to be quite sharp, sharper then it probably needed to be. I was thinking of sharpening it more like a chisel then a wedge.
bird.

DON'T!  First, a broad hatchet has a different geometry for the work it does -- it's flat all the way on one side, and slightly off-set.  A chisel edge on other hatchets won't do the work as well at all.
Second, on good old hatchets, the tool steel is laminated in -- on one side for broad hatchets, and in the center on all the others.  You run the risk on having the cutting edge consist of mild steel.

You want a broad hatchet, chisel sharpened, get a broad hatchet.  They're easy enough to find cheaply.