"The design of the jerz is not a copy of any other hatchet from any part of the world or from any period in history"
Well, it is far from being unique:-)
It is remarkably similar to the Carpathian shepherd's axe, - Valaska, Fokos etc, depending on whether the owner is Czech, Hungarial, Ukrainian ( Hutsul ) etc.
Mountain climbers even now use modifications of an ancient Alps shepherd's implement, the Alpenstock.
Possibly, the Jerz originated in the mountain areas of the region as a walking stick/ tool and the owners kept using it even during there yearly migrations to the coastal areas.
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