Hatchet from the old French 'hachette' a diminutive form of the word 'hache' or axe. The hatchet is a single handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood.
Lathing hatchet - Blade flat along the top to facilitate use in corners and close to ceilings. The poll is a hammer head (often checkered) and there is a notch in the underside of the blade for pulling nails.Used to apply wooden lath in preparation for the application of plaster.
Shingling Hatchet - Round shouldered blade with hammer head, sometimes with a claw or a notch in the blade for pulling nails.
Carpenter's Hatchet - Kent pattern head, general purpose or bench tool.
Broad or Side Hatchet - Kent pattern head sharpened on one side. Used in hewing as a broad axe.
Hatchets are taxonomically differentiated from hand axes by some using one or more of the following characteristics;
Axes | Woodworking hand tools | Blade weapons
Beil | Accetta | Machadinha