How to Sharpen an Axe – The Main Methods for Effective Sharpening

In terms of safety and efficiency, it’s extremely important to have a sharp axe or hatchet close by, especially when you’re facing life and death or survival situations when the sharpness of your cutting tool can certainly save your hide and stop a lot of trouble further down the road.

With the help of a sharper axe, you can chop and cut anything you set out to far more accurately, as well as preventing injuries and speeding up your work. There is nothing more dangerous than a blunt axe in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use it properly!

So how can you sharpen your new best survival hatchet, and what are the best methods of doing so? Just carry on reading and you’ll find the answers below

The Most Typical and Common Axe Sharpening Method

The most common way to sharpen an axe is by using a file, a strop and a honing stone. The idea is to use a flat, mill bastard file at first, when your axe is extremely dull. You can then use the honing stone for fine honing, allowing you to make all the sharper areas smooth and ensure a clear cut once you start using the axe. Finally, finish up with a leather strop.

While sharpening your axe, it’s very important to keep in mind that the angle at the bit end is different and that your axe doesn’t have a consistent wedge. As you move up the axe, the angle will be larger toward the end (about 30-40 degrees) and it will get to about 15 degrees at the cutting edge. This important difference has to be kept in mind when you use your tools to sharpen your axe, since making the angle the same everywhere will upset the balance of your axe and make it a less efficient cutting tool overall.

Sharpening Your Axe using the Whet Stone Method

What you’ll need for this method is a sharpening stone and a lubricant that will be applied to the stone. The idea is to have the stone lubricated and set in a fixed place, while you position the axe’s head edge on the stone, matching the angle of the bevel. Once you do that, simply move the axe head in small circles while counting each stroke.

As you do that, move the axe from one side of the edge to the other, and you’ll notice a type of paste accumulating as a result of using the lubricant. This paste should not be removed. After finishing a complete pass, simply turn the axe on the opposite side and use the same number of circles to sharpen it just right.

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How to Sharpen Your Axe with a Puck

Sharpening your axe using a puck is one of the simplest and most practical methods you can use in SHTF situations. Pucks are light and portable, and they can also be quite effective.

Once again, you’ll have to use a lubricant for the job. Aside from that, the only tool that you’ll need will be your puck.

First, fasten the axe handle between your legs with the axe head resting on your lap, then apply honing oil to the coarse part of the puck. Then, with small, circular motions, grind the coarse part of the sharpening puck to one side of the axe while matching the bevel angle.

Again, simply repeat the number of circles while sharpening the other face of the axe in a similar fashion.

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