Plumb Hatchet...

Two items...the oxidation layer is apparently much harder than the steel, so you may want to sand that back a bit and then file. I have had good success with this method before.

Also, what files do you have? Most readily-available files, and especially the HF and/or Northern Tool items are likely not sharp or hard enough for old-school axe bits. You may need to pick up some higher-end files to help.
 
SC T100 said:
Two items...the oxidation layer is apparently much harder than the steel, so you may want to sand that back a bit and then file. I have had good success with this method before.

Also, what files do you have? Most readily-available files, and especially the HF and/or Northern Tool items are likely not sharp or hard enough for old-school axe bits. You may need to pick up some higher-end files to help.
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I have the cheapest nicholson I could buy at home depot unfortuntaely. Thanks for the tips, I'll have to figure out what to do here. There was an antique shop that I visited that had some old files, those would probably be much better quality even if they have a little rust I need to clean up.

Right after trying the plumb, I started working on my Hults Bruk 2 1/4 for a re-grind. File sort of glided for a few seconds then started to bite in, but the bit on that plumb didn't budge at all for a good couple minutes, so I gave up.
 
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Grimalkin said:
so I tried to do a new grind on this, but my file is just gliding right off the steel, I have a single cut bastard, will a different file make any difference? This is much harder steel than my other axes. Any help would be appreciated!
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Welcome to the world of functional old implements. No TV screens or other electronic distractions to make you believe you can 'save the world' merely by punching keys or scrolling through text and hitting 'enter'.
 
As SC T100 pointed out, the oxidation layer on an old axe is notably harder than the underlying metal. Concentrate on one small patch until you work thru the oxidation layer. Then work out from there. This really works. Of course you will need a good quality file with a good handle and a file card to clean your file. Un-hung axes are best file in a vise with the jaws mounted at about navel height. Hung axes can be clamped to a bench with the bit overhanging the bench. It's best to have at least a 10" file. I like a 2nd cut double cut file.

Trying to hand hold an axe while filing is equivalent to herding cats. You can put in as much effort as you want and still nothing will happen.

When you have a good file and your axe securely mounted then go at it. Try varying both the speed and pressure if your file isn't cutting well after you're thru the oxidation layer.
 
thanks all, any advice where to get a good quality file in Canada? I have searched, but really can only come up with the big box hardware stores which only carry Nicholson. Anyone used Corradi?

I was focussing on one spot, and I even tried to use 40 grit sandpaper to sharpen this little guy, wore out a strip of it, and really made no progress on the grind.
 
I have heard people on this forum have good results with newer Pferd and Stihl files.

The old US-made Hellers (my best one) and Nicholson among others work really well. In fact a short vinegar bath will both remove the rust and actually sharpen the teeth a bit on the old files.
 
SC T100 said:
I have heard people on this forum have good results with newer Pferd and Stihl files.

The old US-made Hellers (my best one) ........
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I love Heller files. Especially the Nucut and Multikut files. I dream of finding a box of NOS Multikuts, 12" 2nd cut. My axes tremble with fear at the thought.
 
Square_peg said:
I love Heller files. Especially the Nucut and Multikut files. I dream of finding a box of NOS Multikuts, 12" 2nd cut. My axes tremble with fear at the thought.
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Me too! I only have the one...It's a big 12-14" Heller Nu Cut, and I try to save it a bit for well, really good axe bits. But the other day I was thinning a True Temper and my other USA Nicholson files were doing okay, but the second I broke out the NuCut it blazed through the steel. It was like night and day. Fantastic files. I would buy every one I could find if I found any more. A box of NOS Hellers would definitely come home with me even if I had to overpay.
 
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