How to sharpen a machete?

J

JohnAPA

Joined
Sep 26, 2009
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I don't have a grinding wheel or power sander. Can simply afix sand paper to a table top and go at it free hand?

I have a lot of brush in my yard, trees to trim etc... My Cold Steel Magnum Kukri has a pretty steep angle on the edge and it works ok on the bigger stuff but the small stuff bounces right off unless I swing it like Kirk Gibson in game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
 
I use a vise and file or sand paper as you suggested. The edge of a chopper doesn't have to shave and probably shouldn't


JohnAPA said:
I don't have a grinding wheel or power sander. Can simply afix sand paper to a table top and go at it free hand?

I have a lot of brush in my yard, trees to trim etc... My Cold Steel Magnum Kukri has a pretty steep angle on the edge and it works ok on the bigger stuff but the small stuff bounces right off unless I swing it like Kirk Gibson in game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Click to expand...
 
Reeek said:
I use a vise and file or sand paper as you suggested. The edge of a chopper doesn't have to shave and probably shouldn't
Click to expand...

Yeah, if it's too sharp and you take on something big it would get stuck easy and slow you down I suppose.

I'm thinking it may damage a good stone taking on a project like that.:confused:
 
sandpaper could work but you would burn through a lot of it, and it's not as practical to use in the field.

I like to use a 12" bastard file at home. But if I have to lug my gear out in the woods I preffer something like the puck, or the double sided DMT folding diamond stones, in XXC and course grits. :thumbup:
 
I use anything from a Nicholson file to a Lansky Puck to arkansas softstones to wet and dry-all are cheap and practical, and it all depends on the steel and the grind. I've got machetes with everything from scandi grinds to convex to flat grinds so it all greatly depends on the blade, but...
 
Nicholson Bastard file ( a longish one ) , than finish uo with a stone or diamond hone , maybe say the Fallkniven DC 4.
I think that set up would be sweet , for an afternoon of machete madness.
 
I do like to keep my machete shaving sharp.

I keep all my knives shaving sharp. No reason not to.

I do use my belt sander when it gets damaged. I use a diamond stone, and ceramic sticks.

And a strop.
 
Send it to me; I'll put an edge on it that'll make you wanna slap your Grandma. :)

I'm serious, by the way(except for the Grandma slapping part.) I'll convex an edge on it and use my leather belt to make it scary sharp. ;):thumbup:
 
File for me. Works well on the softer machetes.

Here is one of the many vids that helped me.





Do a youtube search and there are others as well. :thumbup:
 
I've used a file and then 220/1000 grit combo stone, followed by a strop. I use a belt sander now. Heres a neat trick I learned a while back. Even if you don't have a belt sander, you can start with a file, then get some progressively finer belts and staple/glue/whatever them to a piece of wood. Then use them like the file. Same motion, and you end up with a good polished edge. BTW, I sharpen with the file away from the edge. That way it won't cut my fingers. You'll need to remove the filed on burr with the next step if you want an edge that will last. The sandpaper can be used carefully pushing into the edge, but with a file I have never developed smooth enough strokes to run my hands toward an edge.

BTW, a polished, hair splitting edge will work fine on a machete. However, it takes a lot of effort to get it there the first time, starting with a factory bevel, and for some people it's not worth the effort. A simple machete will do some amazing things with a carefully sharpened and polished edge.
 
A file followed by a stone. Or invest in a 1"x30" belt sander and some sharpening belts. Either works great.
 
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