Treeline Outdoors Half Hatchet

Just an FYI, I was given one of the Vaughan Wal-Mart hatchets as a gift and while I can say it is a decent product, the fit and finish reflects the price. The cutting edge is terrible as delivered and required some quality time around the campfire with a stone and honing oil to get it to cut worth a crap. The leather sheath would be a nice thing to have as well.
 
That Treeline design, known as the carpenter's hatchet, has been around for nearly 100yrs and vintage examples can be found with minimal effort. Dozens of companies made them including Vaughn(back when they made a good tool), Winchester, Plumb(back when they made good tools as well), True Temper, Kelly, etc. The original pieces were forged from quality solid steel stock and hung correctly on a handle having the grain run inline with the strike plane to prevent delaminating along the growth rings. I find originals all over the place at antique shops and flea markets in the $30-$40 range. Great condition as well; not run on a grinder or chipped so bad they resemble a saw rather than a hatchet. Another option is the Estwing hatchet as Hilldweller mentioned. USA-made, one piece steel construction, super sharp, and about $40 brand new with a sheath. I have the Estwing Camp Hatchet and use it for woodworking; carving canoe paddles, bowls, spoons, etc. My woodsrunning tool is a Norlund HB pattern head hung on a framing hammer handle.
 
Quick follow up: Just searched ebay under "carpenter's hatchet" and several hundred popped up; some antique pieces in great shape for $15!
 
It is a roofing hammer with out the guage holes.I Have not seen the nail puller on the roofing hammer in ages though.

edit:The reason the vaugn is not as sharp is because it is designed to split ceder shingles to size not cut the roofer.
 
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I used the hatchet again last night to help cut up 8 20' 2'' diameter treelings down to 1ft sections. Still going strong, and I have yet to sharpen it.
 
Update - still using mine as recently as this past weekend to cut some kindling out of a larger log - A+!
 

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