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A carpenter's hatchet

A hatchet (from the French hachette, diminutive form of French hache, 'axe') is a single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood. Hatchets may also be used for hewing when making flattened surfaces on logs; when the hatchet head is optimized for this purpose it is called a broadaxe.

Hatchets are taxonomically differentiated from hand axes by some using one or more of the following characteristics: the addition of a hammer head and a head 1–3 pounds (500 to 1,500 grams) in weight.^{[citation needed]}

Hatchets have a variety of uses, such as tasks normally done by a pocket knife when one is not present. The hatchet can also be used to create a fire through sparks and friction.