Carpenter's Axe

Carpenter's axes, also called carpenter's hatchets, are small axes, usually somewhat larger than a hatchet, used in traditional woodwork, joinery and log building. They have a pronounced beard and finger notches that allow a choked grip for precise control. Carpenter's axes have straight, long cutting edges and thin blades with a low bevel angle, suited to working dry wood, and straight handles, since the curved handles typical of felling and chopping axes would get in the way of the smaller, more precise cuts carpenters tend to make; these features let a carpenter's axe do detailed work such as cutting a plank's end to a desired angle with a planed surface, and even rudimentary woodcarving. The long straight edge also provides stability when cutting and is an easy shape to guide by eye. The poll, or butt, of the head is generally designed for use as a hammer, and newer carpenter's axes often add a groove for pulling nails.