Axe, Hatchet & Froe Sharpening? Need more info please?

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
4,827
Greetings to all you guys here on the AXE sub-forum. I used to frequent this forum about 5 years ago but in the past two to three years I haven't gotten to do a lot of the outdoor stuff I normally like to do. Thus I haven't done much with my Axes, hatchets and the one Froe that I own.

I'm kind of a knife sharpening fanatic of sorts. In the past two years I've spent about as much money on sharpening tools and kits as I have on the knives themselves. Needless to say I place a lot of importance on properly sharpened edged tools.

I'm wondering if you all can steer me to some information on sharpening axes, hatchets and other edged striking tools? Are there any new books on the subject? Other than high quality files what do you all use? I have used some of my Norton hockey puck type sharpening stones with some success but I can't help but wonder if there are better tools than that to use?

The two main axes I've been playing with are one of the old Kelly and TRUE VALUE hardware units which seem to be decent tools for the most part.

I also have a couple of nice hatchets made by Sears and Estwing. Any input would be appreciated.
 
Thats a very vast subject!

haha

heres a video on how I like to sharpen my tools


[youtube]klSBeAs_pE8[/youtube]

love the worksharp

purist will use a single cut bastard with a axe in the vice and shape the edge and geometry to the purpose of the tool then clean it up with a puck
but this takes hours.

very relaxing though when time allows

[youtube]I55QyJXHk2E[/youtube]

love this USFS video, he gets into the sharpening after hanging
 
DeadboxHero said:
purist will use a single cut bastard with a axe in the vice and shape the edge and geometry to the purpose of the tool then clean it up with a puck
but this takes hours.

very relaxing though when time allows
Click to expand...

It's takes about 30 minutes to file and hone a single bit axe - assuming is needs a full workover.
 
Fwiw, I dont think a froe should be any sharper than any other splitting wedge.
It would be needlessly hazardous too were it any sharper.
 
Square_peg said:
It's takes about 30 minutes to file and hone a single bit axe - assuming is needs a full workover.
Click to expand...

Skills man, I don't have them with a File.

Tried to do a banana grind with a file, took FOREVER

Haha :)
 
DeadboxHero said:
Skills man, I don't have them with a File.

Tried to do a banana grind with a file, took FOREVER

Haha :)
Click to expand...

I didn't have them either until I tried and did a couple. I'll bet your first attempt at sharpening a knife was terrible, right? It isn't hard to get a knife sharp, but to do an excellent job takes some skill and experience. Same here, although I would say that sharpening an axe is more forgiving than putting a precision edge on a knife blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top