- Moisten the rough side of your sharpening stone (preferably with water).
- Hold the blade in front of you.
- Place the sharpening stone at an angle to the blade, the rough side being in contact with the axe head.
- Start sharpening in smooth circular movements, moving from left to right and in a clockwise direction.
- Turn the axe head over and repeat on the other side.
- You might observe a rough, abrasive paste accumulating on the axe head while you sharpen. Do not wipe it off! ...
- Repeat until the edge feels sharp, then move on to step 4.
What is the best way to sharpen an axe?
What Is The Best Way To Sharpen An Axe?
- Clean and Polish the Head. If your axe has any rust, use a rust eraser or steel wool to remove it. ...
- Clamp in a Vise. For easy filing, clamp the axe horizontally or vertically, to offer an equal edge and access to alternate sides.
- Pick Your File. ...
- Inspect Your Bevel. ...
- Hold Your File. ...
- Start to File. ...
- Change Sides. ...
- Use a Bevel Gauge. ...
- Use a Whetstone. ...
How to sharpen an axe properly?
How to sharpen an Axe with a Puck (or a Rock or River Stone)
- If you happened to have brought honing oil with you, then apply some to the coarse side of the puck. ...
- Match the angle of the bevel angle and the angle of the puck and start sharpening. ...
- Switch to the other side and mirror the technique.
- You’ll need to repeat the process 3 to 5 times on each side.
- Switch to the fine-grit side of the puck and start again.
What exactly is sharpening the axe?
What exactly is sharpening the axe? Dr Steven Covey, who popularised the term, believes that it means “increasing your personal production capacity by daily self-care and self-maintenance”. Most people fail to understand what it means and mistake it for taking a break or vacation. If you’re overworking yourself and your productivity drops ...
How to sharpen an axe or hatchet?
How to Sharpen an Axe with a Sharpening Stone
- Clean the axe head. Grinding stones aren’t cheap, and they work best when they aren’t clogged with pitch, sap, and filings.
- Oil the stone. A bit of honing oil helps lubricate the stone and keeps the edge of the axe cool during sharpening. ...
- Sharpen one side of the axe with the rough side of the stone. ...
What is the best way to sharpen an axe?
Sharpening the Axe. Sharpen the edge with a coarse whetstone. Apply honing oil or sewing machine oil to the extreme edge, then rub the tip of a coarse whetstone along it in a circular motion. Sharpen both sides alternately to move the burr from one side to the other, until it is nearly gone.
What oil do you use to sharpen an axe?
Mineral oil is an ideal candidate for sharpening because it is light and does not harden or go rancid. A light oil is desirable because a heavy or viscous oil will interfere with the sharpening action of the stone.
Can I sharpen my axe with a grinder?
0:001:54Sharpen an Axe With A Grinder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack in the workshop today and I'm gonna try and sharpen an axe seen it all of God's really angleMoreBack in the workshop today and I'm gonna try and sharpen an axe seen it all of God's really angle grinders network tools were gonna start with that Karl machinist vise here I'm going to hold the
What stone do you use to sharpen an axe?
0:003:49How To Sharpen An Axe Or Hatchet Blade Quick Simple InstructionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo sharpen your axe or hatchet blade you'll need a wet stone or sharpening stone a lubricant forMoreTo sharpen your axe or hatchet blade you'll need a wet stone or sharpening stone a lubricant for your stone you can use water you can use wd-40.
Can you sharpen an axe with a knife sharpener?
You can sharpen an axe with some knife sharpeners, but others will not be appropriate for the task. Whetstones or sharpening stones are the best knife sharpening tools that can be used on an axe. Most fixed-angle knife sharpeners do not have the correct angle for putting an effective edge on an axe.
What angle should an axe be sharpened at?
Ideally, the angle should be a about 25 degrees (and slightly convex). Continue to file equally on both sides of the blade until the sharpening gauge pattern fits perfectly. Next, it's time for your whetstone to do its job: honing the edge. Store your axe in a dry place, out of direct sunlight.
Can you sharpen a axe with sandpaper?
Use sandpaper, applying even pressure and rubbing it from the handle part of the axehead to the blade. You can work it with finer and finer sandpaper until it gleams. Place your axe on a flat surface or clamp it in a vice, if you have one available.
How do you sharpen an axe with a drill?
5:507:47How to Sharpen an Axe (Its Easy) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipVideo. After several passes the blade starts to get really shiny. And sharp and now should be ableMoreVideo. After several passes the blade starts to get really shiny. And sharp and now should be able to shave with.
Can you sharpen an axe with a belt sander?
5:268:33Using a Belt Sander & Whetstone to Sharpen an Axe for ThrowingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd even on spf it they last a long time so the sharp edges. Actually you don't need to constantlyMoreAnd even on spf it they last a long time so the sharp edges. Actually you don't need to constantly be sharpening them so you don't want to over sharpen you don't want to ruin the steel.
Does an axe need to be razor sharp?
All woodworking tools, including axes, should be sharp enough to shave with for effortless, efficient and enjoyable work. Most new axes require from an hour to a half a day of hand sharpening to put them into proper shape. A dull axe is less efficient and more tiring to use.
How sharp should a splitting axe be?
A splitting axe should be sharp enough to avoid a bounce when it strikes harder wood pieces. It doesn't have to be razor-sharp because it splits wood along the grain. However, some woodworkers prefer very sharp splitting axes. The key is to keep the axe sharp enough to ensure efficiency.
Can you sharpen an axe with a wet stone?
0:3919:10How To Sharpen an Axe or Hatchet or Cleaver on a ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you do is like the knives you get the stones you start from the 500 grit stone like the mostMoreWhat you do is like the knives you get the stones you start from the 500 grit stone like the most coarse stone. And you hold the axe as near to the head as possible with one hand with the other you
What can I use instead of honing oil?
Various types of vegetable oils, mineral oil, industrial cleaner, window cleaner, and the old reliable water. As long as the liquid is light and will not harden, it will serve as a good alternative for honing oil. While the term might seem off, honing oil isn't actually always oil.
Can you use motor oil on a sharpening stone?
In the case of knife sharpening, motor oil is too thick or heavy and can over-lubricate or clog a sharpening stone, whereas WD-40 is too light an oil and will not carry the metal filings plus stone dust (collectively known as swarf) away from the stone, and clog it.
Can I use WD-40 on my sharpening stone?
Use WD-40 to Coat Your Stone: The specially formulated oil spray known as WD-40 is great for cleaning sharpening stone, as well as serve different purposes. Spray the oil on the surface of the stone and ensure you coat the entire surface with the oil.
Can I use 3 in 1 oil on a sharpening stone?
3-in-1 or mineral oil should work for oilstones. I wouldn't use a vegetable oil, and certainly not a drying oil.
What to use to sharpen a sharpening axe?
A dust mask is optional for hand sharpening. A respirator is recommended if you use power tools (but see Tips below.) 2. Clean and polish the head of the axe. If there is any rust on your axe, clean it off with a rust eraser or steel wool.
How to sharpen an axe with a file?
1. Protect your hands and face. Take these steps to avoid injury while sharpening an axe: Wear thick leather gloves. If your file does not have a finger guard, cut a slit in a piece of leather and fit it onto the file. Wear safety goggles to protect against metal dust. A dust mask is optional for hand sharpening.
How to get burrs out of a sandpaper?
Sharpen the edge with a coarse whetstone. Apply honing oil or sewing machine oil to the extreme edge, then rub the tip of a coarse whetstone along it in a circular motion. Sharpen both sides alternately to move the burr from one side to the other, until it is nearly gone.
How to polish a metal axe head?
Sand with coarse-grit aluminum oxide or silicon carbide sandpaper. Rub the axe head with even pressure, moving from the poll (hammer end) to the blade. Repeat with finer- grit sandpaper. For excellent polish, repeat with extra-fine sandpaper and/or finish by applying a metal polish with a rag.
How to make a sliding bevel?
Measure the edge with a bevel gauge. Also called a sliding bevel, this is simply two hinged arms which you can tighten to any angle using a nut. You can easily make this yourself out of scrap lumber. Set your bevel gauge to the desired angle using a pro tractor (usually 25º or so), then slot it over your axe edge. If the angle is off, file further to remove material where needed.
How to make a fan shape on an axe?
Create a fan-shaped curve on the blade by varying the starting point of your stroke: start close to the edge at the top of the axe head, start about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) when at the center, and curve back down to the edge again at the bottom of the axe head.
How to sharpen a carving axe?
In most cases, you'll want to match the existing bevel, following the curve of the blade to remove an even layer of metal. 6. File with a steady motion into the blade.
What do you need to sharpen an axe?
You will need your axe, your sharpening stone and a lubricant/moisturizer. You will be using the coarse, rough side of the sharpening stone in this step.
How can I be safe when I sharpen my axe?
You always want to stay safe when you are working with an axe, when you are chopping wood but also when you are sharpening it. Here are the main safety precautions that you need to take when you sharpen your axe.
Why should I sharpen my axe?
You axe is one of your most important tools out there. It is necessary for chopping wood for your fire, and for making a shelter. It it truly one of your more survivalist tools that you will bring with you.
How do I test if my axe is sharp or not?
You might be wanting to ask: “How do I know when I need to sharpen my axe?”. The truth is that you can often realise by yourself when your axe head is not sharp enough. However, if you are unsure, just tell yourself that your axe blade, when sharp, should be able to cut paper with almost no effort.
How to sharpen a sandstone axe?
Step 1: Moisten the rough side of your sharpening stone ( preferably with water). Step 2: Hold the blade in front of you. Step 3: Place the sharpening stone at an angle to the blade, the rough side being in contact with the axe head.
What is the purpose of step 4 on an axe?
Stropping is necessary to eliminate this burr, which will cause your axe to keep its sharp edge much longer.
Why do you need to moisturize your axe head?
This is necessary, because when your sharpen your axe head, you take little pieces of metal off the edge.
How to sharpen a knife blade?
Once you have a nice, sharp edge, hone the blade using a dual-sided sharpening stone. Run the coarse grit over one side of the blade using a circular motion, remembering again to count the number of strokes you use. After applying the same number of coarse strokes to the opposite side of the blade, repeat this process with the fine side of the stone.
How to clean a rusty axe head?
Don’t try to do it all in one pass—a little bit of grinding goes a long way! Use short strokes with the wheel, and pause between each to allow the steel to cool before continuing. Alternatively, you can dip the axe head in a bucket of cold water between passes. If there are only small nicks, you can skip this step and proceed directly to filing.
What is the wire edge on a cutting edge?
Continue filing evenly until a burr of metal, called a “wire edge,” appears at the apex of the cutting edge on the side of the blade opposite to the one you’re filing. Turn the axe over and repeat the filing process, using the same number of strokes you used on the first side to ensure that you don’t end up with an asymmetrical blade.
Is it dangerous to use a dull axe?
By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Bob Vila. Photo: istockphoto.com. Few outdoor chores are as inherently hazardous as cutting down trees or chopping up wood, especially when your axe is subject to heavy use. Working with a dull axe is not only ineffective, but it’s also downright dangerous.
Can you use a push pull to sharpen an axe?
Do not use a push-pull motion; if the tool makes contact with the blade on the return stroke, you may damage the file—and you won’t get your blade any sharper. Use a wire brush to remove metal shavings that come about as you practice how to sharpen an axe.
