Abstract: A scabbard (14) for firefighters and other types of hatchets (19) is disclosed. The scabbard (41) includes a belt (45) and a sheath (43). The sheath (43) has two pockets, a closed pocket (47) and an openable pocket (49). The entrances into the pockets face one another, i.e., the entrance into the closed pocket faces the entrance into the openable pocket. The edges of the sides of the closed pocket (47) are permanently affixed to one another. In contrast, the forward and upper edges of the sides of the openable pocket (49) are joined by Velcro.TM. closure elements (65a, 65b, 67a, 67b). The inner and outer sides of the openable pocket are integrally joined along their lower edges. The inner sides of the closed and openable pockets are also unitary. Further, the outer side of the openable pocket overlaps the outer side of the closed pocket. The overlap is joined by Velcro.TM. closure elements (69a, 69b) Finally, a tab (71) attached to the outer side of the openable pockets extends rearwardly from the Velcro.TM.