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Axe sharpening

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 09:44:49 No.137253 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>137546

Hey s/out/s,
Was wondering how sharp you guys keep your axes? I put a polished convexed edge on mine, which lasts forever, and it seems fine, but I've seen people put much finer edges on with more bite to them. My axe, for example, would not shave hair or cut paper cleanly. Should I keep it sharper?

Cheers

CamperMan

CamperMan Wed 12 Jun 2013 09:49:27 No.137255 Report

Quoted By:

I also tend not to make it too thin. The woodlands where I live are mostly hardwoods, and a thinner edge dulls very quickly.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 12:34:41 No.137298 Report

Quoted By: >>137355

You're doing good, OP.
An axe isn't a razor, putting too fine an edge on it will just make it chip and dull quickly.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 14:23:55 No.137355 Report

Quoted By: >>137539

>>137298
This is what I figured, but watching Ray Mears' axe sharpening vid on Youtube he keeps it pretty sharp. I do use it mainly for splitting though, so probably don't need it much sharper.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 14:48:43 No.137373 Report

Quoted By: >>137390

yeah, no need for a camp or splitting axe to be that sharp. ray mears does all sorts of carving and shit which is why he keeps his sharp
carving axes tend to have an assymetrical grind, slightly hollow on one side

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 15:06:08 No.137390 Report

Quoted By:

>>137373
Thanks, interesting about the asymmetry, will look into that.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 16:06:19 No.137421 Report

Quoted By: >>137433

Considering the number of times I've had the blade hit my metacarpals while trying to split wood with a hatchet... I'm not into the katana-sharp ideal.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 16:20:06 No.137433 Report

Quoted By: >>137538 >>137545

>>137421
Try only using a hatchet for splitting when you're on your knees and not standing. It makes a real difference.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 17:05:19 No.137467 Report

Quoted By: >>137552 >>137566

I didn't know Husqvarna made things without motors.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 19:27:40 No.137538 Report

Quoted By:

>>137433
Awesome tip. I can't wait to try this.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 19:36:39 No.137539 Report

Quoted By: >>137644

>>137355
According to Ray, if you can't cut through A4 paper vertically like a knife would, it isn't sharp enough

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 19:47:21 No.137545 Report

Quoted By:

>>137433
Yeah, this. It makes the task easier because you can swing with confidence knowing that if it's going to go anywhere beyond the wood it'll be into the ground or stump and not your shin or something.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 19:51:18 No.137546 Report

Quoted By:

>>137253
>My axe, for example, would not shave hair or cut paper cleanly. Should I keep it sharper?
Nah, you're doing fine OP.
It shouldn't be too sharp, thats what knives are for.
Your axe should be like a cross between a hammer and a knife, if that makes any sense.
A lot of the power comes from the weight, as opposed to the edge.
I know it's not quite the same, but on my maul for instance, I only sharpen it twice a year or so.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 20:05:00 No.137552 Report

Quoted By:

>>137467
They don't. The axes are made under contract by Hultafors, or perhaps Wetterlings.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 20:35:07 No.137566 Report

Quoted By:

>>137467
Husqvarna also made some absolutely fantastic rifles.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 22:56:25 No.137644 Report

Quoted By: >>137649

>>137539
Yeah this is what worried me, so I wanted opinions. I can't see why I would need my axe this sharp for splitting stuff, but he knows what he's talking about.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 12 Jun 2013 23:05:46 No.137649 Report

Quoted By:

>>137644
The thing about using an axe to split logs is that you put a lot of impact stress on the blade edge. If that edge is too thin it'll chip. You don't want shaving sharp for a splitter, and you don't want knife cutting paper sharp, either. You want a solid edge at 25 to 30 degrees angle inclusive.

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