Hatchet derives from hachette, the diminutive of hache, what a frenchman of old would use vs a axe by an englishman, hopefully not on each other. As posted, a hatchet is a one handed tool, often with a hammer head developed for various woodworking as opposed to wood procuring duties. They are popular survival items because of the reduced wieght and bulk vs a true axe (note the old Alaska and Canadian flying survival kit regs specified a full axe.) Their close proximity to the body call for added caution in use- by french or english.