alright well i have my grandfathers old machete that i think he made himself but have on idea how to sharpen none the less what to sharpen it with...does anyone have any suggestions? (please know that i have NEVER sharpened anything in my life...i need to learn pretty bad). and i cant say enough how cool of a website this is
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easiest way to sharpen machetes?
- Thread starter bmilla35
- Start date
for me the easiest way without power tools would be with a file but if is of sentimental value, i suggest you oil and just keep it aside. you may be grateful you did that someday.
For thick machetes, I use a file. they are fast especially if the machete is soft and thick.
For thick machetes, I use a file. they are fast especially if the machete is soft and thick.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 7,035
I use a Nicolson Flat Smooth (it's a grade of file, it'll say it on the package at the hardware store).
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2007
- Messages
- 214
I sharpened up my Harbor Freight machete last weekend. I'd never had a decent edge on it, so I first used a couple Nicolson files. The first one was meant for rapid metal removal. I then used a Bastard file menat for gradual metal removal to smooth up the edge.
Next, I taped a mousepad to my workbench, then taped a piece of 150 grit sandpaper on top of it. I used this to finish the edge. I mostly moved the blade on the sandpaper away from the edge, like stropping it. I did do a few strokes of the blade forward on the paper to make sure I didn't have a wire edge. This gave me a convex edge.
I tested it in my yard where I did a bunch of pruning of softwood trees, some forsythia, and some nettles encroaching onto my property from the neighbor in back of me. It cut very well and the edge was still sharp after about an hour of whacking things.
Next, I taped a mousepad to my workbench, then taped a piece of 150 grit sandpaper on top of it. I used this to finish the edge. I mostly moved the blade on the sandpaper away from the edge, like stropping it. I did do a few strokes of the blade forward on the paper to make sure I didn't have a wire edge. This gave me a convex edge.
I tested it in my yard where I did a bunch of pruning of softwood trees, some forsythia, and some nettles encroaching onto my property from the neighbor in back of me. It cut very well and the edge was still sharp after about an hour of whacking things.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 1,079
Hi there,
When I find a machete at a flea market with absolutely no edge I use a zirconium flap disk(4" x 5/8" Zircotex Brand) on my bench grinder, then when the edge is cleaned up I use a Norton sharpening stone( 8" x 2' x 1" )rough crystolon side for just above the handle to 2/3 rds the way up the blade, and the finer India side for the tip round to use more for skinning.
Barring these, the files work great in the field for me.
Also, I agree with gustav that if there is sentimental value, that oiling it and keeping it aside...at least until you buy a garbage china special machete from the camping isle at walmart and grind the edge flat then try and re-sharpen it. You'd be surprised how fast you can learn to sharpen it well and also how fast you can really destroy a blades edge if you haven't done it much.
I am...lol...the destroyer of temper and good edges...
Mark
When I find a machete at a flea market with absolutely no edge I use a zirconium flap disk(4" x 5/8" Zircotex Brand) on my bench grinder, then when the edge is cleaned up I use a Norton sharpening stone( 8" x 2' x 1" )rough crystolon side for just above the handle to 2/3 rds the way up the blade, and the finer India side for the tip round to use more for skinning.
Barring these, the files work great in the field for me.
Also, I agree with gustav that if there is sentimental value, that oiling it and keeping it aside...at least until you buy a garbage china special machete from the camping isle at walmart and grind the edge flat then try and re-sharpen it. You'd be surprised how fast you can learn to sharpen it well and also how fast you can really destroy a blades edge if you haven't done it much.
I am...lol...the destroyer of temper and good edges...
Mark
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 6,117
If you have any friends that are into woodworking you might ask if they have a bench mounted belt sander that you could use. That is the quickest way to do your rough sharpening. After that step you could finish the edge with a smooth bastard file (it wouldn't have to be Nicholson at this point).
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2007
- Messages
- 356
1" harbour freight belt sander is the best damn 60 dollar tool i have ever bought- i don't give it hard use but i have sharped lots of knives for friends and family and reprofiled a few with the tips broken off.