Axe care/cutting edge

absolutindian

absolutindian

Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
519
I just purchased my first small axe / hatchet. Its a Wetterlings Wildlife Hatchet I picked up from a website. I don't have much experience in using or caring for an axe, and was wondering if anyone has some internet resources that would be good for me to have a look at. Also, I've read that Wetterlings axes need edge work when new... Any recommendations on how to properly set up the edge? I don't have the axe with me right now, its been shipped to my home address, and I'll be there this weekend to pick it up.

Thanks!
 
Some of the Wetterlings axes will require a touch-up, others are fairly sharp from the factory. I'd suggest a small file and some elbow grease while you have a free afternoon. A very sweet edge can be obtained with a belt sander (medium grit) but don't heat the blade up too much or you may burn the temper out. If you desire a tougher edge then you want to taper the axe only slightly...a thin edge is nice for racing in soft woods but can chip out if you hit a hard spot. Please wear proper eye gear when using the axe. In my estimation, more accidents occur with hatchets than full sized axes, so take care with the angle of swing. A light coat of mineral oil after use will scare the rust away.

If you check out www.blueandwhitecrew.org there are some neat links with respect to axes and logging. Also, get someone to show you how to properly use the axe. With a bit of work, you'll be amazed how sweet a sharp axe can be for a variety of applications in the wild. It is probably the ultimate survival tool for the forest.
 
If you don't have anybody to show you first hand start with Ray Mears on Youtube- Can't really fault his methods and gives a great starting point!
 
I suggest looking at the manual "An Axe to Grind". You should be able to find it by searching for that title in google. It is quite comprehensive and even has a stencil type guide you can print out and use when reprofiling your axe edge.
 
I use sheets of wet-and-dry sandpaper on a phone book.

Working through the grits to 1200 leaves a convex edge that will shave.
 
Thanks for the tips, guys. We'll see what condition the hatchet is in once I get it out of the shipping box. Is there pretty much a consensus about having a convex edge on axes? I really don't know much about this stuff, so I'm more or less crawling right now... Hopefully I'll be walking soon enough... :p
 
absolutindian said:
Thanks for the tips, guys. We'll see what condition the hatchet is in once I get it out of the shipping box. Is there pretty much a consensus about having a convex edge on axes? I really don't know much about this stuff, so I'm more or less crawling right now... Hopefully I'll be walking soon enough... :p
Click to expand...
Both sides of the Big Pond: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/Skills-General/How-to-Sharpen-an-Axe.html

For young and old: http://www.ancienttouch.com/bronze_age axes, adzes.htm

In war and peace:
"Gisarme" Also called guisarme. A staff weapon consisting of a convex axe-head with the lowest piont attached to the shaft
Click to expand...

Steel or stone: http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ30302//view/1/
 
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