I need some kind of grinder for sharpening my machetes and mower blades.

S

Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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I tried my hand at grinding earlier this week to sharpen a hoe for an older lady who is a neighbor. It made me curious so I filled a bucket with water tried my hand on a dull Ontario machete that needs reground. Well, I learned that I need two things: A slightly finer, friable stone and a way to make a full stroke on both sides of the blade. Sorry, three, a much better tool rest.

Let me elaborate on that second point. I found I could, in theory, go all the way from the heel of the blade to the toe on one side of the knife but I would run into the other grind wheel if tried the same thing on the opposite side. I there such a beast as a single wheel benchgrinder? I assume that running a two wheel grinder with only one wheel in a bad idea. Or should I be looking at a belt sander/grinder. I want to finish the machetes with a file/stone and am concerned that a convex edge from the belt sander would be a problem.

Any input would be welcomed.
 
I have used my Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener (WSKTS) to sharpen my mower blade while still on the mower, and it worked great. Slow, but great. I have also sharpened a machete with it. You could sharpen your machete with it and then finish with a file/stone if you did not want the slight convex edge it will provide. I used it free handed on both blades, kinda like a portable grinder. Good little tool for around $70. Much more portable than a table top belt grinder.

Blessings,

Omar
 
I prefer a large file for that sort of work. The softer steel of most heavy cutting and digging tools can be reshaped in very short order with a file. Even the machetes I've done had low enough RC they could be shaped with a file, and then respond very well to a wide variety of stones to finish it off to a good working edge.

Couple of years ago I sharpened a CS machete from factory dull to a shaving edge with a big single cut file followed by a 1200 grit King waterstone.
More recently I put a new edge on my lawnmower blade - last year I was using my reel mower most of the time and moved in September. My gas mower hadn't been sharpened in years and was dull as the edge of a dinner plate. Hit it with a bastard file and then a smaller single cut file, took about 15 minutes and some elbow grease to restore the edges and balance it.

These are decent quality files, nothing too special but size matters. I use lengths of 1 1/2" hardwood dowel for handles - gives great leverage and keeps my hands well away from sharp edges.
 
I agree the HF 1x30 is excellent for machetes and such. I'm on my second one. First one lasted 3.5 years of regular use, which is acceptable to me for the price. You may also find that you like the nice convex edges the belt sander gives. On the other hand, if you really want to finish the edges on stones, you should probably just follow HH's advise above. File then stone. Otherwise you'll just have to do the extra work of using your stones to flatten the convex edges left by the belt sander. Wouldn't make much sense to me.
 
I am going to see about getting a Grobet USA 14" file. I guess is should have said this is more for reprofiling than for sharpening. This will be for things that would take to long with a file. Like a hoe or shovel that has never been sharpened before and has been used for years.
 
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