Sharpening a Hatchet for Woodworking

Get a sharp edge on your carving hatchet, or get that old hatchet ready for some green woodworking! Luke shows how to create a sharp, flat edge for effective cutting.
Luke Voytas is the Wood Studio Manager at the GoogleWorks Center for Arts in Reading, PA. Learn more at goggleworks.org/
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[@Perkinator104]

I have a carving hatchet like yours, but it's had some bevel ground on the flat side. How do you recommend repairing that to use it for green wood working?

[@GoggleWorks]

It's typical to have some bevel on the flat side. Anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees is pretty common. This bevel prevents you from needing to surface the entire flat side of the axe. If it's close to that range, try to maintain that, or sharpen a bit on the heel of that bevel as you make the angle more obtuse. If it's a rather severe bevel, close to being symetrical with the opposite side, you may need a grinder to move a lot of metal around. That could mean flattening the flat side or working the main bevel back. Be careful not to overheat the metal. At that point, it may be better to work with a different hatchet.

[@Perkinator104]

@@GoggleWorks Wow thanks for the insight. I think it's salvagable, but will need a little TLC.

[@rexjolles]

you sound like Mr. Van Driessen from beavis and butthead