I don't know. The one I have was sharp once upon a time. Its cutting  
edge is beveled on one side, in the manner of a broad axe. The only  
time I ever saw it used was as a kid when my dad and I were putting  
together a pole-style structure using small diameter trees that were  
cut for the purpose. The hatchet made nice flats on the otherwise  
curved surfaces of the log members so that they'd rest squarely  
against one another. My secondhand understanding of its utility to  
telco linemen was that it was a combination hammer, wrench, prying  
and cleaving tool, apparently used by construction crews when setting  
new phone poles. That was not something I ever did for Ma so I can't  
speak from direct experience. But I will see whether or not I can  
interrupt the old man's golf game and/or 19th hole activities to  
determine what he recollects about it.

JL

On Oct 10, 2008, at 11:08 AM, Trevor Robinson wrote:

> Hi, Gary and Others
> 	The funny thing about the Bell System hatchets is that they are  
> never sharp. Why not?
> 					Trevor

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