Today I was in Fairbanks, stopped in at the Woodway store, and talked to the owner, a old friend of at least 40 years. I measured the Husqvarna hatchet, the handle, without the part in the helve, was 13". The total length of the hatchet was 15", hope this helps. No one on the store staff knew which Swedish forge made the hatchets or axes. I personally would chose the Carpenter's hatchet if I were to buy a hatchet. Of course I would then be opening myself up to cuts to shins and knees.
I have always liked the reading the different forums on which is best.
1) Real axes
2) hatchets
3) Rambo knives
4) none of the above, use a stove
I suppose none of use are correct in what we use, however I grew up with a axe and find myself most comfortable with one I also have two folding buck saws, one med. the other large, I always take one of these to complement the the axe. But, wait, what about the weight? Well I don't tale a chair and a bunch of the other things that some feel they need
You will not find me beating on the back of one of my hand forged, hand crafted, birch bark handled Puukku's (Finnish general purpose knife) with a stick.
I trapped beavers a long time ago with a real old time trapper, that old guy was tough as nails, I cannot remember a time that his Hudson's Bay Axe was not in his right hand or near to his side for three months. He was always lopping off a low hanging limb or a encroaching branch on the trails.