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Question about sharpening axes

Cool, I hope that since Council made the fss boys axe for years, it will be consistent with the forest service specs. Thanks for all the info guys!
 
I use a file to for repair and changing the shape if necessary, and a small combination stone after that. For maintenance I use compound on paper over a hard surface - a combination stone or one of my Washboards. For a minimalist approach, you can apply compound to a smooth stretch of bark or straight length of stick. Am a big believer that for choppers the edge should be as refined as you can make it without too much fuss - they don't need to be three finger sticky. I like a bit of tooth on my smaller knives where drawing into the cut is more common. When chopping, a coarse edge adds a lot of drag and dulls faster. I have been repeatedly surprised/impressed at how long a refined edge can last on a chopping tool, and how much easier it makes the work.
From what I have read, some of the early guides and naturalists seemed to agree on a smallish (6") file and a small whetstone, and touched up their axes with nearly every use.
 
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