Miniature(?) Craftsman Axe/Hatchet

[SilverDeck]

Found this at the local junk store today and thought it was too interesting to leave behind. Hopefully someone will see this and can tell me exactly what it is (an actual small production hatchet or some sort of a scaled-down sample of an axe?) . I've tried looking in the vintage Craftsman catalogs that are online but may have missed it someplace. It doesn't have a nail slot like most hatchets and it most closely resembles a miniature axe. Overall length of the head and handle is 10". I see a few similar pieces on eBay that are listed as a child's axe but I can't imagine these were ever marketed by Sears for children, but who knows. It's a neat piece regardless, but I'd love to learn more about it.

 

[Ctkelly]

Looks like a belt axe to me. I have a modern custom one made by Lee Reeves who retired last year. Supposedly they were quite popular/common "back in the day".

 

[LB-1911]

I've always referred to those as a kindling hatchet , two examples -

Stamped Craftsman Reg. US Pat. Off. -M. About 10.25" from axe head to end of handle (entire length). Axe handle about 9" as exposed from axe head. Axe head about 3.75" x 2.25" at widest points.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...8ae5422&pid=100011&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=301239791659
&
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rth-do-I-do-with-it-!?p=14687775#post14687775

 

[SilverDeck]

This is great information. There were just too many of these turning up on online searches to believe that they weren't some sort of a regular production tool. Has anyone found one of these in a Craftsman catalog? I guess I won't feel bad now about wanting to sharpen it up and use it. Looks like it could be a pretty handy little thing.

 

[redwrench60]

I have one of those too. My young son is super fascinated with it. I haven't turned him loose with it yet.

 

[ttpete]

I have one of those too. My young son is super fascinated with it. I haven't turned him loose with it yet.

It's not a toy. Kids don't have the hand strength to control one of those, and a sharp axe glancing off something can be dangerous. I never liked one handed axes for that reason. I always preferred a short two handed Hudson Bay pattern axe for use around a campground. I keep an Estwing version in the truck.

 

[dutchgray]

Vaughan made a little tiny hatchet like that, my brother bought one, it was almost too small to be any use.

 

[spike99250]

Vaughan still makes that model, they also made them for craftsman.

 

[zcbauer89]

That's a neat little hatchet. Wouldn't mind finding one for my vintage collection.

 

[Al Borland]

It's for serial killer leprechauns!

 

[why worry]

Kindling hatchet is what i have always known them as. Have couple of them and find them useful in elk camp for making kindling for the wood stove

 

[rsanter]

That's out of one of the vintage craftsman children's toy tool set.
Be careful giving that to your kid if there are any cherry trees around

Bob

 

[SilverDeck]

That's out of one of the vintage craftsman children's toy tool set.
Be careful giving that to your kid if there are any cherry trees around

Bob

For real (children's toy tool set) or are you pulling my leg?