hand axe
Prehistoric cutting implement
A hand axe is a prehistoric stone tool shaped by chipping to produce cutting edges, held directly in the hand rather than hafted to a handle.
These teardrop or oval-shaped implements were humanity's primary technology for over a million years, used for butchering, digging, and woodworking.
The term also applies to modern single-handed axes: He split kindling with a hand axe.
Striking stone to shape tools
- PaleolithicEarliest archaeological era
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- NeolithicFinal prehistoric stone-tool era
Homo erectus · anthropology · excavation · stratigraphy · hunter-gatherer · nomadic · chert · obsidian
Transverse-bladed hewing implement
cutting · scraping · chopping · butchering · woodworking · digging · splitting · striking
Indigenous hand axe
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
- throwingPropelling by arm motion
defense · hunting · projectile · striking · blunt · sharpened · attack · primitive weapon
flintknapping
Striking stone to shape tools
- PaleolithicEarliest archaeological era
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
Neolithic · Homo erectus · anthropology · excavation · stratigraphy · hunter-gatherer · nomadic · chert · obsidian · quartzite
adze
Transverse-bladed hewing implement
grip · cutting · scraping · chopping · butchering · woodworking · digging · splitting · striking · percussion
tomahawk
Indigenous hand axe
throwing · defense · hunting · projectile · striking · blunt · sharpened · attack · primitive weapon · close-quarters
cleave
Split or adhere
timber · felling · swing · hack · sever · woodpile · chopping block · campfire · bushcraft · survival
whittle
Carve by shaving layers
gouge · notch · groove · fashion · scrape · skinning · hide · carcass · bone · antler
- prehistorystone tools, Neolithic, Stone Age, caveman, cavemen
- ancient weaponssword, swords, shield, shields, bow
- Axesbroadaxe, tomahawk, thrower, hawk, Pulaski
- cutting toolssaw, saws, knife, blade, scissors
- throwablesball, rock, stone, dart, javelin
- Stone Agecave painting, paleolithic, stone tools, choppers, scrapers
hand axepower tool
Motorized handheld equipment
chainsaw · laser cutter · computer · machine · robot
hand axehatchet
Small one-handed chopper
battle axe · splitting maul · tomahawk · felling axe · pickaxe