Handtools for Trail Work

Tools for Chopping, Continued

Hatchets

Many trail workers include hand axes or hatchets among their tools. Hatchets work well for trimming small green stems or freshening blaze markers along the trail. They are easily and safely carried in belt-mounted sheaths.

Hatchet heads are usually made of heat-treated steel designed to accept wood or fiberglass handles. Some have a steel handle forged to the head. They can weigh from 1 to 3 pounds and handles range from 10 to 16 inches long.

Image of a hatchet.

Use and maintain hatchets like regular axes. Remember that these tools are not designed for excessive pounding. Additional hazards may also exist for users because hatchets are single-grip tools.

Examples:

Image of a sportsman's ax.

A sportsman's ax has the blade and handle forged from one-piece steel.
The length is 13½ inches and the blade is 3¼ inches. Weight is 24 ounces.

Image of a forestry ax.
The forestry ax has a 1¼-pound head, 14-inch hickory
handle, and weighs 1¾ pounds.

Image of a tree-sounding ax.
The tree-sounding ax has a ½-pound head that is designed
for "sounding" trees. Foresters like its small size (10 inches long; 2½-inch blade)
for carrying in a vest or jacket pocket. Weight is 1 pound.

Image of an all-steel camper's ax.
An all-steel camper's ax is 16 inches long and is forged from
one-piece steel. It has a 4-inch blade, and weighs 2¾ lbs.

Image of a plumb hammer/hatchet.
A plumb hammer/hatchet is a half-hatchet with hardened,
tempered bit and a strong fiberglass handle. It has a 3- to 4-inch bit,
is about 13½ inches long, and weighs 2½ lbs.