Single-handed bladed tool with a hammer head on one side. Except for chopping wood, it has a wide array of uses. — In-game description
The Hatchet is a bladed melee weapon and multipurpose tool in DayZ Standalone. Although the Hatchet does admirable damage as a melee weapon, its real value is in its use as a tool. Able to perform just about any task (including chopping wood), the Hatchet is only one of two tools that can be used to construct a base. Also able to be repaired with a Sharpening Stone, the Hatchet is an upgrade from the other base building tool, the hammer. The Hatchet's only drawback is that it can't be stored in the melee weapon slot; instead, taking up valuable space in the player's inventory.