These hatchets are not based on any exact period piece but are loosely based on the biscayne trade axe, which has it's roots in the viking/saxon/norse axe. I find it makes a great camp hatchet it's small size is handy for carrying with your camping gear, storing by the fireplace for chopping kindling, or having in your vehicle for emergencies. My Dad used to say a good hatchet made a superior survial tool than a knife, try driving a tentstake with a knife!

It is 2-piece construction of mild and high carbon steel, in which the mild steel is bent into a U shape, a small peice of high carbon (spring) is put in the middle, sort of making a steel sandwich, and forge welded together. The eye is then drifted out to size and the bit(blade) forged to shape. I then anneal the head, clean up the profile on the grinder and shape the edge. I then harden and draw the temper of the edge.

After fitting the handle and giving the edge it's first sharpening its ready to use.

The head is about 5 1/2" long and about 31/2 wide at the bit. The handle is about 17" long and made from hickory or ash, with a linseed oil finish.