Axe Sharping

A place to share, learn, & show off sharpening tips, tricks, techniques, & tools for sharpening edges of all kinds.
Post Reply
User avatar
kingknight
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 am
Location: Somewhere In Time

Axe Sharping

Post by kingknight »

I use a Norton India stone with mineral oil for all of my axe sharping. The challenge for me when using the stone freehand was not cutting my fingers or hand. So I made a simple stone holder to keep the stone in place while clamped to the work bench. By using alternating circular strokes with one hand on the axe head and the other on the handle I can now safely sharpen the axe. The holder is a piece of 1/4 inch ply drilled with a 4 inch hole saw that's pin nailed to a 1x6 pine board. This holder accommodates the 1x4 inch India stone perfectly. Aside from having a sharp axe there's no bloody mess to clean up.
Attachments
20190215_133644.jpg
20190215_133627.jpg
"Every normal man must be tempted at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H L Mencken
User avatar
Steve Warden
Posts: 6320
Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by Steve Warden »

guinness-brilliant1.jpg
guinness-brilliant1.jpg (18.31 KiB) Viewed 3956 times
::tu:: ::tu::
Take care and God bless,

Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000

But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
User avatar
OLDE CUTLER
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4287
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

When it comes to sharpening, any and all safety and convenience aids are allowed. That one is great!
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
kootenay joe
Posts: 13373
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:36 pm
Location: West Kootenays, B.C.

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by kootenay joe »

What are you using the axe for ? Post & beam work so a very sharp edge is best ? or ??
With a larger axe for splitting wood do you sharpen differently ?
kj
doglegg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 17718
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:35 am
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by doglegg »

KK, I always appreciate the simple problem solver. That is genius. ::nod::
User avatar
TripleF
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 18499
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
Location: West Central FL
Contact:

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by TripleF »

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!

::tu::
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)

Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
User avatar
tongueriver
Posts: 6834
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:01 pm

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by tongueriver »

That is a great safety idea; thanks for sharing! What is the approximate grit range on the stone you are using for SHARPENING?
User avatar
Mumbleypeg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 13408
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:28 am
Location: Republic of Texas

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Thanks for the idea. I usually set up the axe in a vice to hold it steady. Depending on how dull it is I start with a bastard file, then a course or medium grit stone. If it’s not too dull I skip the file. Your method is a lot safer, although I can’t recall ever cutting myself with an axe (but too many times with a pocket knife ::dang:: ). Never used a round stone either. ::hmm::

Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.

If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.

When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.

https://www.akti.org/
User avatar
FRJ
Posts: 15173
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
Location: Ct.

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by FRJ »

Good idea there for sharpening.
I put my head in a vice too, as mentioned by Ken. And I will use a file or large coarse stone to get the edge I want.
I have a round stone too but I have never used it. I'm afraid I'll cut myself.
Isn't your tool a hatchet?
Joe
User avatar
kingknight
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 am
Location: Somewhere In Time

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by kingknight »

kootenay joe wrote:What are you using the axe for ? Post & beam work so a very sharp edge is best ? or ??
With a larger axe for splitting wood do you sharpen differently ?
kj
This is a Gränsfors small forest axe. It has a larger head and a longer handle than a traditional hatchet which provides more chopping power. However, it is still small enough to fit into a rucksack. It is excellent for felling small trees and limbing. I use it mostly for limbing and kindling. I'm not a lumberjack but I'll assume the same sharpening technique would apply to a double bit axe head.
"Every normal man must be tempted at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H L Mencken
User avatar
kingknight
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 am
Location: Somewhere In Time

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by kingknight »

tongueriver wrote:That is a great safety idea; thanks for sharing! What is the approximate grit range on the stone you are using for SHARPENING?
The Norton India stone grits are 150 (dark side) and 400 (light orange side).
"Every normal man must be tempted at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H L Mencken
User avatar
kingknight
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 am
Location: Somewhere In Time

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by kingknight »

FRJ wrote: Isn't your tool a hatchet?
My definition of a hatchet is simply a short handled axe.
"Every normal man must be tempted at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H L Mencken
User avatar
Steve Warden
Posts: 6320
Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 4:18 pm
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by Steve Warden »

FRJ wrote: I put my head in a vice too,...








Nah, too easy. :wink: :mrgreen:
Take care and God bless,

Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000

But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
mrwatch
Posts: 1453
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:58 pm
Location: michigan

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by mrwatch »

quality safety gloves are inexpensive.
User avatar
Mumbleypeg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 13408
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:28 am
Location: Republic of Texas

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Steve Warden wrote:
FRJ wrote: I put my head in a vice too,...








Nah, too easy. :wink: :mrgreen:
I was thinking the same thing when I read it, but decided to let him off easy. ::facepalm:: :lol:

Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.

If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.

When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.

https://www.akti.org/
User avatar
tongueriver
Posts: 6834
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:01 pm

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by tongueriver »

Mumbleypeg wrote:
Steve Warden wrote:
FRJ wrote: I put my head in a vice too,...








Nah, too easy. :wink: :mrgreen:
I was thinking the same thing when I read it, but decided to let him off easy. ::facepalm:: :lol:

Ken
X2
User avatar
FRJ
Posts: 15173
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
Location: Ct.

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by FRJ »

Perhaps I should rephrase that. ::facepalm::
Oh well, I think you all have come up with your own phrases. :lol:

Now where is that ax head?
Joe
rarefish383
Posts: 196
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2017 10:40 pm

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by rarefish383 »

Actually, a double can have a different edge on each side. A thinner chopping edge for felling and a wider thicker edge for cutting roots. "An ax to grind" by the Forest Service is a great video to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22tBYD-HMtA
User avatar
kingknight
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 am
Location: Somewhere In Time

Re: Axe Sharping

Post by kingknight »

Thanks farefish. Your post is much appreciated. Love the video. Great info.
"Every normal man must be tempted at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H L Mencken
Post Reply

Return to “Sharpening Forum”