Safe Use of a Hatchet

A hatchet should only be used in a controlled area with suitable supervision, a stable chopping surface and a clear safety zone. Check the hatchet before use, wear appropriate footwear, maintain a secure grip, keep your body and other people outside the swing area, and make controlled cuts rather than trying to force the blade through wood.

For Scouts, a hatchet should be treated as a serious cutting tool rather than simply another piece of camping equipment.

What You’ll Learn

You will learn how to prepare a safe hatchet-working area, inspect and handle the tool correctly, make controlled cuts, work safely around other people, and put the hatchet away securely when you have finished.

These skills are useful for woodcraft, campcraft and pioneering activities where processing small pieces of suitable timber is permitted.

Equipment

You will need a suitable hatchet in good condition, a stable chopping block and appropriate timber.

The hatchet should have a secure head, an undamaged handle and a sharp, properly maintained cutting edge. A blunt or damaged hatchet can be more dangerous because it may require excessive force or glance off the wood.

A sheath or blade guard should be available for transporting and storing the hatchet.

Prerequisites

Before using a hatchet, learn the correct technique from a competent adult. You should be able to identify the sharp edge, carry the tool safely, maintain control during a cut and understand the boundaries of the working area.

The supervising leader should establish the working area, explain the safety rules and decide whether each participant is ready to use the tool.

Instructions

1. Prepare the working area

Choose firm, level ground with plenty of space around the chopping block.

Remove loose branches, bags, ropes and other objects that could cause you to trip. Establish a clear exclusion zone so that nobody accidentally walks into the working area.

Position the chopping block securely. It should not wobble, roll or move when struck.

2. Inspect the hatchet

Before picking up the hatchet, check that the head is secure and that the handle has no serious cracks, splits or other damage.

Check the blade for damage and make sure the protective cover is fitted whenever the hatchet is not actually being used.

If anything appears unsafe, stop and tell the supervising leader rather than attempting your own repair.

3. Position the timber

Place the timber securely on the chopping block.

Never hold a piece of wood in your hand while striking it with a hatchet. Keep your supporting hand away from the cutting area.

For small pieces, use a stable method approved by your leader rather than trying to hold the timber close to the blade.

4. Adopt a stable stance

Stand with your feet comfortably apart and maintain your balance.

Your body should remain outside the likely path of the hatchet. Avoid positioning your legs directly behind the piece of timber being cut.

The aim is to make controlled movements using the arms and shoulders rather than swinging wildly or relying on maximum force.

5. Make controlled cuts

Start with light, accurate cuts rather than powerful swings.

Allow the blade to do the cutting. Keep your eyes on the cutting point and maintain a firm but controlled grip.

If the hatchet becomes stuck, stop and assess the situation. Do not twist the tool violently or use excessive force to free it.

6. Keep checking your surroundings

Before every series of cuts, make sure the safety zone is still clear.

If somebody enters the area, stop cutting immediately and wait until the area is safe again.

Never assume that other people can see where the blade is moving.

7. Carry the hatchet correctly

When moving with a hatchet, fit the blade guard whenever practical.

Carry the tool with the cutting edge controlled and pointed away from yourself and others. Never run with it, throw it or carry it over your shoulder in a way that could endanger someone behind you.

If you need to move through a group, secure the hatchet rather than attempting to carry an exposed blade through the crowd.

8. Passing a hatchet

Avoid passing an exposed hatchet from one person to another.

The safest approach is normally to place the hatchet securely on the chopping block or another designated surface, with the blade protected, and allow the next person to pick it up when instructed.

9. Finish safely

When you have finished, check that the working area is clear of offcuts and loose timber.

Clean the hatchet as appropriate, fit its blade guard and return it to its designated storage location.

Never leave an uncovered hatchet lying on the ground or hidden in grass where somebody could accidentally step on it.

Final Tip

A good hatchet user is controlled, not powerful. Accurate cuts, a secure chopping block and plenty of space are far more important than trying to make the biggest swing. If the job requires excessive force, stop and reconsider the technique or use a more suitable tool.