Axe stone

[tommytman]

I asked this by mistake in the axe forum....I need stones to shape and sharpen a counsil tool axe. All i have right now is a gator grit 4 inch stone. It's slow going.

What can I get that will speed it up?

 

[Sharp Steel]

Lansky makes a 2 sided puck sharpener for axes. Although I read somewhere that loggers just use a file for sharpening.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I asked this by mistake in the axe forum....I need stones to shape and sharpen a counsil tool axe. All i have right now is a gator grit 4 inch stone. It's slow going.

What can I get that will speed it up?

Get yourself a belt grinder or at least a large mill file on a big handle.

 

[Ourorboros]

If you don't have or want power equipment, a mill file is the way to go. Don't get cheap - a longer one is going to be easier and faster. A handle will make this more comfortable. If you really need to remove a bunch of steel, get a double cut flat bastard file, though you only want a single cut for sharpening.
It's all you really need to reprofile and sharpen an axe. I think it's all the Forest Service issues, though some people like a puck for the field.
Reprofiling with a puck isn't going to be that fun either.

 

[Craig James]

Agree, a bastard file is what you need. Try not to use a scrub motion with it, you want to avoid pulling it against the edge to maintain longevity of the file. You can also get away with a bench grinder as well for bulk material removal as long as you keep the axe cool - avoid grinding right to the edge.

Stones are for the final steps on a correctly profiled head

 

[HeavyHanded]

Here's an older vid that might be of help, shows last bit of file work on a hardware store hatchet and final sharpening on wet/dry.

Once you get the geometry right maintaining is pretty easy as long as you don't dig roots or otherwise abuse it. I have camping hatchets that have been maintained for years on hard strops and one that's just been touched up on firepit ash smeared on a flat piece of wood.

Some axe/hatchet heads are pretty high Rockwell at the bit and a file will have considerable difficulty, in that case metal cutting belts can be had for a smaller hand sanders and they save a lot of pain.

 

[tommytman]

Thanks everyone, patience and time I was able to get the dayton to shave hair with using a stone. It is a wood cutter now for sure and kicks butt. I did also use a file to touch up the edge after hitting the dirt once. Much more forgiving than sharpening a knife.

 

[Sharp Steel]

Here's an older vid that might be of help, shows last bit of file work on a hardware store hatchet and final sharpening on wet/dry.

Once you get the geometry right maintaining is pretty easy as long as you don't dig roots or otherwise abuse it. I have camping hatchets that have been maintained for years on hard strops and one that's just been touched up on firepit ash smeared on a flat piece of wood.

Some axe/hatchet heads are pretty high Rockwell at the bit and a file will have considerable difficulty, in that case metal cutting belts can be had for a smaller hand sanders and they save a lot of pain.

I'd still hope to get one of those washboards.