How to properly bevel and sharpen an axe ?

Grab the template from the PDF version of An Ax to Grind, glue it to something thin and sturdy, and follow the instructions in the manual. You'll be good to go!
 
sorry if it was a stupid question but i did look through most of the posts and couldnt find what i was looking for. thanks for your advice.
 
Either on a vise or clamped to a work bench, get to working with a bastard file. You don't use excessive force but steadily smooth out any dings at about a 22 degree angle. Every once in a while flatten your angle and work the shoulder back with the goal of creating a convex transition. You'll be surprised but quickly this can be done. Keep alternating the side if the edge on which you are working. As far as what direction to go, the file will tell you.

After that I switch to wet/dry sand paper sprayed with wd40 or just spit, flat on the workbench again alternating the angle and the side. I have it that my wrist just keeps oscillating in a way that includes all those adjustments. It's easier with just the head but doable hafted. I start with 220,400,600,1500,2000 grit. It'll shave hair after that and provide a reflection to shape your stache.

Hope this helps.
 
rbr0203 said:
sorry if it was a stupid question but i did look through most of the posts and couldnt find what i was looking for. thanks for your advice.
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Not stupid at all...that manual has really helped me. Clamp the head, use a good file to set the bevels to the gauge, and then polish the bevels a bit to get the scratched out using a coarse/fine oil stone. It'll shave after that! :)
 
I actually have a small leather strop glued to a piece of wood loaded with green compound I use to stop both my axes and my machetes. Works really well.
 
While I'm on the subject look what I found. Someone was using it as a lawn decoration and I got it cheap.
20150701_165207_zpsh41iz5bq.jpg
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That looks completely haome made, from welded angle iron to a cast cement wheel. If it works well that is awesome.
 
yes i do believe that it is home made. that being said it does have a trough for water and if i hooked it up to a small electric motor it would work fine
 
Wet grinder is the way to go. You need a motor and some new belts. You can calculate the ratios for those sheaves or just try it with whatever sheave comes on your motor and make adjustments as necessary.
 
I've read about homemade cement wheels but not seen one before. Cool!
 
A previous thread about making your own grindstone:

Steve Tall said:
Found these instructions for making a big grindstone for sharpening axes, etc.

"Grindstones can easily be made locally from 20 litres of good quality cement and 50 litres of quartzitic sand with 1 mm or smaller particle size. The sand must be sieved (e.g. with mosquito netting), be washed and clean from clay or salt. In addition, an iron tube or rod is needed, about 60 cm length and 2 cm diameter with a nail welded to its middle.

"The grindstone is made in a wooden mould (2) which is set up in a shady place. The mould is approximately 50 by 50 cm in size and 15 cm high. It consists of two parts (2a) which are placed on a board (2b) resting on two supports (2c).

"Exactly in the centre of the mould the iron rod is placed, forming a perfect right angle with the mould and securely held in position by small boards nailed on the mould (3a).

"After filling the mould with mortar and compacting it carefully, the grindstone is left to dry for about three days. Some sprinkling with water may be required to avoid too rapid drying.

"After removing the grindstone from the mould, the stone is placed in a trestle with a piece of an old tyre fitted underneath as a water container (4a).

"This type of grindstone is also handy for sharpening agricultural tools such as hoes and spades and should be available in any village."

Wood_Harvesting_with_Hand_Tools-14.jpg


--quotes and diagrams from
"Wood Harvesting with Hand Tools
An Illustrated Training Manual"
By: International Labour Office
Published by: International Labour Office Publications Branch CH-1211 Geneva 22 SWITZERLAND

online at Autonopedia.org
http://autonopedia.org/crafts_and_technology/Wood/Wood_Harvesting_with_Hand_Tools.html#axes
Click to expand...
 
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