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Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk (Read 494 times)
Dan
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Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Feb 15th, 2012, 7:55am
 
So I've been working with file sharpeners and stones for a while and I am still having difficult getting my tomahawk sharp. Don't get me wrong it's sharper at the end of the seccion than at the begining but I am soon going to rely on it as my main tool and I want it to be a lot sharper. I have the CS trail hawk and I have seen IAWoodsmans video where it was really sharp so I know it can be done.
 
So how do you sharpen your hawks' and axes?
 
Any insight is appreciated!
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Steven
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #1 - Feb 15th, 2012, 10:10am
 
10 inch. single cut mill file, to carborundum stone, to series of Arkansas stones.
If the axe is already sharp with a good profile ... then just to a series of Arkansas stones.
 
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publicat ions/99232823/page15.cfm
 
The whole axe manual here:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publicat ions/99232823/index.cfm
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Rat Man
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #2 - Feb 15th, 2012, 11:48am
 
You don't want too fine an edge on your ax if you're going to use it for cutting wood.  There's a fighting edge and a working edge.  If you cut wood with an ax that's razor sharp your ax will get stuck in the wood on every swing.  Your work will proceed very slowly.
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timann
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #3 - Feb 15th, 2012, 1:11pm
 
A tomahawk will probably be used more for "camp chores" than for heavy wood processing jobs, so I`d say use a file like Steven suggest, and file an 1/2" edge on it and hone it pretty sharp (I got one or two axes with hair flinging edges but that`s not needed at all for most jobs Wink).  Use it for your purposes, if it don`t hold out just round it off (convex it) as needed.  Each axe/user/use require an individual edge for best result.
While I have seen several Cold Steel tomahawks I don`t own one and I don`t remember what kind of factory edge they come with.  I notice that most axes I see in the stores these days got much thicker factory edges than back in my days.
 
timann
 
PS We keep a small hair flinging sharp axe by our "clan`s" electric wood splitter for when wood fibers or bark hold the split wood together, makes for a fast fix when in a hurry.  I simply hone it when it dulls.
 
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #4 - Feb 17th, 2012, 11:29am
 
I have a cold steel hawk. I use a mill file. It gets it plenty sharp enough for camp chores. Like previously stated, you don't want an axe too sharp. If you should want it sharper than a file will get it use an Arkansas stone. If it won't get sharp the main thing i would check is the profile of the edge. Make sure it is even. Also, make sure one side of the edge isn't burred. As you sharpen on one side, the metal will roll slightly towards the other. You can feel it with your finger if you carefully run it perpendicular to the edge. A piece of leather is the best way I know to get a burred edge off.
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kentuckythrower
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #5 - Feb 22nd, 2012, 2:45am
 
I use a file. I have never tried to get a razor edge on an axe, but it seems an arkansas stone will do the trick for you.
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #6 - Feb 22nd, 2012, 7:04am
 
So long as the subject is up: does anyone know *good* video demonstration of sharpening techniques? My youtube searches have turned up a lot of lackluster videos. Videos where my response is "ok, I don't know enough, but I KNOW that's not right..."
 
I've read a couple of short books on the subject, but I don't think that's an adequate substitute for me.
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peacefuljeffrey
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #7 - Feb 24th, 2012, 1:42am
 
You should get "The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening."
 
I have a copy. It'll teach you what you need to know. This guy SHAVES with axes that he has sharpened. He knows his stuff.
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peacefuljeffrey
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Re: Your way to sharpen an Axe/tomahawk
Reply #8 - Feb 24th, 2012, 1:46am
 
Quote from kentuckythrower on Feb 22nd, 2012, 2:45am:
I use a file. I have never tried to get a razor edge on an axe, but it seems an arkansas stone will do the trick for you.

 
I recommend a good diamond stone. I have a DMT "DiaSharp". I think that the one I have is an 8 inch model. It is the coarse version. This thing is worth its weight in gold, to me. After I have reprofiled an edge of a very dull knife or tool, I go from there to my Spyderco medium grit ceramic whetstone. I generally never have to go beyond the Spyderco stone. I get results, with those stones and a technique refined over time, that enable me to shave arm hair with my pocket knives. Kitchen knives? Forget about it -- they become like straight-razors!
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