How to Sharpen an Axe (Its Easy)

After removing some tree stumps with my axe, the edge is in really bad shape and needs sharpening. I'm going to show you how to do it with a file and an inexpensive sharpening stone. To finish it off, I'll use my homemade leather strop.

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[lsmith]

You made me so happy when you said you were going to use a plain old file, way to go young man.

[eamonnholland]

I tried to find a non power tool way to sharpen an axe, and there are a lot of other videos out there on it that are really long winded. Yours is straight to the point, simple, and effective. I appreciate it.

[cottonrobinson]

I have been a wildfire sawyer for 23 years and for my hand tools and axes this is absolutely the method to use followed with a pocket puck and a pocket finishing stone. There is nothing more dangerous than a tool that should be sharp and is not …. It is very easy to get a axe to the point where you can shave with it and in fact the strop method after finishing stone and should be ready to shave and shave test should be the go to. Good video !

[johnb]

I liked the way you sped up your video. You could've stretched it out to over 10 minutes sooo easily. Respect and a thumbs up.

[thatDUDEfromMAINE]

Roland Schitt just taught me how to sharpen an axe

[happycat]

Nice to see there are smart people out there who still do things the old fashioned way.

[tracygillette]

I appreciate that you used simple tools to sharpen the axe, the video was easy to follow. I took notes and will go try to sharpen my axe. Thank you!

[pepemiko]

Linus sharpening axes when not doing PCs

[SaqibKhan-hdic]

I got to 4:20 seconds Into the video, and then I paused it and I bought Lanskys sharpening Puck and 3 in 1 Oil, never heard of either brand before but just on the basis of this video I trusted the guy and I did it

[ceedub]

Great video I have an axe that is about 35 to 40 years old, it's in fair shape, I'm going to restore it. Now I know how to restore the cutting edge. Blessings to you and your family

[walkie]

I am an idiot and you’re the only person that’s laid out a simple and effective method without assuming I already know how to do it. Thank you

[general]

THANKS FOR POSTING !!!
First of all, you're about the only person, that I have found that holds the "Old School" truths of file handling, ( back and forth), dulls a file. You're absolutely right! Lots of school systems have discontinued teaching basic shop classes and it's depriving our young, the necessary basic knowledge of how stuff works and how to fix things. When I was in school, Industrial Arts was a required course for the boys and Home EC was required for the girls. It taught them to sew, cook, clean, do laundry, etc and manage a family. Sex education...all of what they would soon, need, to start a family. The boys were invested with OJT (On the Job Training), to be ready to hold down a job and be the bread-winner of the family. The smart phones in our youth's hands have brought them up in a two dimensional alter reality and the lack of shop training, no wonder our country is going down the tubes!
This young man exhibits the fact that he was brought-up knowing right from wrong as well as having good holdsome training! Keep right on doing your thing, young feller!
THANKS AGAIN for posting!
If you'll draw-file the edge first, it will save you lots of work.

[ceaton]

Thanks for this instruction and for keeping it clean. My ten year old son could watch it too. We’re going to have a go at it!

[marcos.aguilar]

I'd be lost without this video, my first time having an axe and sharpening one. I'm having a tough time making it sharp enough to shave, but it cuts paper with ease. Thanks👍

[jean-micheltanguay]

That has to be the most straight forward and easy way to sharpen an axe. Thank you very much!

And now I have sone filing to do!

[Iron-Bridge]

I like your tutorial. Straight to the point, you actually demonstrate what's going on and accurate information. Your so called blunt axe head still looks in better condition than mine 😄

[poloskiii]

I know this is a older video now but, this is the most helpful video I've ever seen. I immediately was able to sharpen my old axe to a frightening level, after being afraid to mess it up for years now. Thank you!

[bmb]

Nice good basic sharpening video, you made it look easier than I've seen anyone else explain before, thanks

[Split_Heritage]

Thank you for the very clear and easy to follow video. I recently moved to the rural PNW and have a lot of trees to thin and also fallen trees that have inspired me to learn wood working.

[growleym]

Just three tips for you. (1) Finish with alternating laps. A stroke on one side, stroke on the other. This helps to prevent burr buildup, which can be beneficial while setting the bevel but is your enemy at the finish, because a burr becomes a wire edge. It folds over readily. (2) Apply a compound bevel when you think you are finished. Simply add a few very light laps at a slightly higher angle for a microbevel. This makes the edge much more robust. (3) You don't need the paddle strop and CrOx. There is no need to go any finer than 1k grit, which is around 13 μm. CrOx is around .5μm or roughly 30k grit. I your application it has some benefit but only in temporarily aligning the edge and removing SOME of the burr. A 1k stone or a natural of similar effect for finishing your edge would be better, IF PROPERLY USED. (4) Oops yeah one more. The way you clamped the ax allows it to rotate a good bit, which results in a very slight convexing. Not a dealbreaker but not optimum, either. Try clamping the ax head in your bench vise. If you can get just the back 3/4" solid in the vise, good enough. (5) Glad to see you are using a handle on your file. It should be stressed that a handle on the file tang has saved a LOT of hands from getting very nasty slices, and not using one has resulted in some crazy cuts, often resulting in trips to the ER.