Sharpmaker on it's way, now about my axe.

comet said:
I use my bench grinder and a Mill Bastard Files to get the burrs off. Then a corse stone to put the edge on.
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Let's assume for a minute that I am an idiot at sharpening things and fear that I would end up ruining my axe trying to do it with a grinder and stones. Is there another way that may not get a nice of edge as you could get but may get me a "pretty good" edge?

OK now the minute is over. I'm back to my normal genius self.
 
Well if the edge is well formed you could just run a sharpening steel across each side a few times, or use really high grit (1000 grit+) sandpaper along the very edge in the same manner. I think that axe is made by Fiskars so the bevel and edge should be usable as they are.
 
another problem with a using a grinder is burning out the temper on the blade. then you have an ax with a blade that won't hold an edge. you have to be very careful using a grinder on any hardened/tempered steel
 
Not that I would use a product like this for my knives, but for an axe have you used one of these?

31HJ6PJRTDL._AA280_.jpg
 
I would suggest a file and some practice to start out. bench grinders will work if you practice but are easy to ruin a ax with. I have seen nice axes pretty marked up from people on grinders. A belt sander is probably a little better choice if you are careful about not ruining the temper by over heating. The file will remove a small amount of steel and give you good control. Another luss is that you can get a double cut and single cut mill bastard file and a card to clean them with for around 20$. I use a 8" double cut to start with if the ax really is dinged up or supper dull. you can use a sharpy to color the bevel and make sure you are removing the metal evenly. work one side until you raise a burr then do the other side, being careful not to take the corners off the head , then repeat on the other side, then do the same with the single cut. you can then use a stone or sand paper on a smooth surface to finish out the edge. Clean the file with the card often to keep it from clogging and gouging the edge, and add a piece of scrap copper, brass or aluminum sheet metal with a hole in the center to the tang of the file to act as a guard if you sharpen by filing towards the edge. thats how i do it there may be better ways. Joe
 
Thanks for the advice, all. It's a new axe, been used once. Haven't dinged it up much.

I'll probably get a file and just learn to do it.
 
WonderMonkey said:
Thanks for the advice, all. It's a new axe, been used once. Haven't dinged it up much.

I'll probably get a file and just learn to do it.
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My granfather could sharpen a axe on his huge home made grinder in 5 minutes flat,I'll sometimes use a grinder (taking plenty of time and taking care not to over heat the steel) but only on a abused or new axe that needs a little reshaping but other wise I use files and sometimes finish with a lansky mower sharpener that cost about $6.

Don't worry about ruining your axe with a file,scratches bring experience:D
 
Lansky mower sharpener? Wha? I may be interested in that! I could justify it by using it to .... sharpen my mower blades! And I can see the application for finishing off an axe as well.
 
There are 2 great sharpening tools I've used for ax and hatchet sharpening. For non electric sharpening tools I find it hard to beat my RAZOR EDGE Systems coarse stone. Norton also makes a round aluminum oxide stone that is round like a hockey puck. But it really puts an edge on it.

Ultimately the best way I've found to sharpen axes and hatchets is my TORMEK sharpening system which is a low rpm grinder that uses a wet grinding stone. You can see them at www.sharptoolsusa.com

I've been told that files and sandpaper both can sharpen an ax really well.
 
JD Spydo said:
There are 2 great sharpening tools I've used for ax and hatchet sharpening. For non electric sharpening tools I find it hard to beat my RAZOR EDGE Systems coarse stone. Norton also makes a round aluminum oxide stone that is round like a hockey puck. But it really puts an edge on it.

Ultimately the best way I've found to sharpen axes and hatchets is my TORMEK sharpening system which is a low rpm grinder that uses a wet grinding stone. You can see them at www.sharptoolsusa.com

I've been told that files and sandpaper both can sharpen an ax really well.
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I have good sucess with a Lanksy "Puck" on my axe and other tools.
 
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