How to sharpen part 2

jessebogan · Sep 18, 2012

The thread on sharpening got me to thinking about a sharpening issue that I have. I recently picked up a couple of hatchets at a yard sale. Both appeared to have been last used to cut up a sidewalk... One is an Estwing, one piece one that I want to sharpen and keep in the car as a "pioneer" tool just in case. The cutting edge on this is just beat, and has never been other that factory sharpened. I clamped it into a vise and was going to file the edge back into shape, and then sharpen it. The head is so hard that the file would not cut it. I ended up (very carefully) using a grinder to gently reshape the edge, getting rid of 99% of the previous damage. So, what do I use to actually put an edge on this with? Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Thanks,
Jesse in Rockville

RaVis · Sep 18, 2012

smokey · Sep 18, 2012

belt sander, taking lots of time to prevent ruining the temper.

jessebogan · Sep 18, 2012

I like the belt sander idea. I will give that a shot. Great suggestion, thanks

Jesse in Rockville

rj1974 · Sep 18, 2012

Be careful using grinders and sanders . Do not over heat the steel . I do all my axes and hatchets with files or stones . Yes it takes longer but gives a better edge and does not damage the steel .

Pablopac · Sep 18, 2012

i use a 4 inch wide belt sander. Go slow with light pressure and cool it in water often. I use this for my tractor blades (belly mower and bush hog) as well as my axe, machete and hand axe. You can also put it in a vise and use a hand held grinder, but it is much harder to hold a bevel.

Winterborn · Sep 19, 2012

RaVis said:

I use this exact "puck" to put an edge on axes, machetes, and lawnmower blades.

For these types of tools, a stronger edge is more preferable to a thin, razor edge that will quickly dull. The possible exception is a machete.

How to sharpen part 2

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