Do I need a Double Bit that sharp?

[abbydaddy]

Need is such a subjective thing.

I got a new file today, and I happily went to work sharpening up my woefully dull machetes and axes. I don't have super fancy machetes or axes (they aren't even sorta fancy, no high-fallutin' axes, they are strictly fallutin' free), but I do use my axes and machetes a lot. And the last time I chopped down a tree it felt like I might as well have been using a rock on a stick.

So I got my new file, and I sharpened stuff up. Cleaned up the edges with the whetstone. I sharpened the machete rather more than I think is necessary, but it was fun. Then it was time to sharpen the double bit. I fully sharpened one side, then started sharpening the other. Then I sliced my finger on the sharpened side.

The good news is that the axe was sharp enough that the cut really didn't hurt, and it wasn't really that deep. So I'm fine, and I've decided that in the future I won't hone the edges on my double bit until the rough work is done on both sides.

And I am pretty happy with my sharper-than-any-axes-or-machetes-I-have-ever-used tools

 

[SC T100]

I personally don't see the point of cutting/edged tools that aren't sharpened to a keen edge. Otherwise, as you noted, they don't really work. I've used a dull machete before, and I now use very sharp ones. If you use them safely, there's no apparent increase in danger and I know a lot of people (including me) think a sharper edge is safer. It cuts, but doesn't glance or bounce, and gets more done with less effort. Granted if something does happen, a sharper edge has the *potential* to cause more damage, but again, if it's used correctly, that shouldn't be an issue. And I would think that unless a tool is butter knife dull (which wouldn't work well), then the difference in accidental injury between dull and sharp would be minimal.

 

[ICS]

There is no doubt that sharp relates to efficient. Whether it's a bush axe or one of my racing axes, there is no difference, they are all as sharp as I can get them and yes there is the possibility that you can cut yourself but I say smile and pat yourself on the back, put a bandaid on your finger and know that next time you hit something with that axe, it is gonna stay hit.

 

[Square_peg]

One thing you can do is wrap the finished bit with tape while you sharpen the 2nd bit. That prevents accidents.

When I ship a sharpened axe I tape the bit. Apply 1" blue painters tape to to each side of the bit and stick the tape to the other piece where it extends beyond the bit. Then wrap over the top with heavy duty duct tape. This way the edge is protected and the buyer won't have to deal with any duct tape residue. The blue tape peels off cleanly.

You could leave one bit wrapped in tape when using your double bit, only to unwrap it if a fresh bit is needed. Added safety.......

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

One thing you can do is wrap the finished bit with tape while you sharpen the 2nd bit. That prevents accidents.

When I ship a sharpened axe I tape the bit. Apply 1" blue painters tape to to each side of the bit and stick the tape to the other piece where it extends beyond the bit. Then wrap over the top with heavy duty duct tape. This way the edge is protected and the buyer won't have to deal with any duct tape residue. The blue tape peels off cleanly.

You could leave one bit wrapped in tape when using your double bit, only to unwrap it if a fresh bit is needed. Added safety.......

Yup. Painters tape works wonders.

 

[abbydaddy]

One thing you can do is wrap the finished bit with tape while you sharpen the 2nd bit. That prevents accidents.

When I ship a sharpened axe I tape the bit. Apply 1" blue painters tape to to each side of the bit and stick the tape to the other piece where it extends beyond the bit. Then wrap over the top with heavy duty duct tape. This way the edge is protected and the buyer won't have to deal with any duct tape residue. The blue tape peels off cleanly.

You could leave one bit wrapped in tape when using your double bit, only to unwrap it if a fresh bit is needed. Added safety.......

Thank you for the tip Square_peg,

Now that you say it, it seems totally obvious, particularly since I have painters tape. But somehow the thought totally had not occurred to me. I was too caught up in the excitement of finally having sharp tools.