Hatchet for bow building?

[punch]

What should I be looking for in a hatchet for bow building?  Will any one due?  I am looking for something not too expensive. 

[Dakota Kid]

It depends on what you want to do with it exactly, but if you're talking in an all around sense find one that feels comfortable and easy to control/ light enough & thin. Secondly, one that holds an edge is a good idea or you'll spend more time at the grinder than bow making.

 I rarely use a hatchet aside from splitting staves. My favorite chopping tool for shaping is an old meat cleaver. I get a lot more control out of it. There's also a lot to be said for a good draw knife. I bought a vintage one on ebay for half the cost of a new one and I guarantee the steel is twice as good as any thing made today. It still had a factory edge when I got it. I had to hunt for it though there were a lot of them that had seen better days.

If you're buying new read the reviews online for that brand if it's junk someone will have pointed it out.

[Pat B]

Any sharp hatchet that you can control will work fine for building bows. Some hatchet styles are more appropriate than others but not necessary.

[Carson (CMB)]

I found that grinding an asymmetrical edge on the old heavy hatchets makes a great carving hatchet. Like drawknives and spokeshaves blades, it is hard to beet the old steel.

Do a search for:

Tim Manney Chairmaker Carving Axe Part 2: Edge Geometry and Grinding