Crossword Genius

Axe plot by expert on the fringes (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hatchet

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'axe' is the definition.
(I know that hatchet is a type of axe)

'plot by expert on the fringes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'by' could be 'at' and 'at' is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'the' is 'het' which is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hatchet that I've seen before include "Small axe with a short handle" , "Bury this to end quarrel" , "cutter" , "Hand-held chopping instrument" , "Light axe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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