I watched your video several months ago and sharpened my axe as you demonstrated. Today, I used my nearly sharpened axe and was mortified at how sharp I'd gotten it! I cut through a very large root in no time at all. Thank you for posting this video. Now, I have an axe with an edge to be feared! Thanks again!
That ball handle is really handy. Went looking for one, couldn’t find anything like it or even a solid acrylic/plastic ball to make one out of, so I bought two 2.5” hooded caster balls from a big box store for $6. I cut out the pins and drilled out the casters with a larger bit to accept the file end. Worked like a charm.
Thank you for posting this, I'm not the only one out there who uses the draw file method. I find I can set my bevel much more accurately and as you said work faster and safer. Thanks for sharing
I sharpened my first axe today using this technique. It was an old 5 pound boys axe my dad had for some minor work when he needed it. I had to use a really small and dull file, but after about 30 minutes on each side it became pretty sharp.
@@escapetherace1943 it is a old plastic handled axe by dad had gotten a long time ago and the handle seems to add like half the weight so yeah I'd say the axe head is about 2.5 to 3 pounds. But also five pounds of axe isn't very much for me so.
@@zandernecaise4497 nice I'd love an axe that size or bigger, looking for a 4 1/2 pound chopper so I can send it through some thick stuff. I do everything with a hatchet and saw right now but I want to do bigger wood.
Awesome! I just bought my 1st hatchet and I also bought a file to be able to sharpen it I didnt feel comfortable sharpening the other direction I cant wait for it to come time to sharpen.
I'm using this technique to put an edge on a "Missouri River Mouse Hawk" that I bought for an inexpensive camp tool; so far, it's working out very well, and I'm having no issues maintaining a uniform angle. Bravo!
thanks! That seems like a great method to get a good sharp edge. I really like filing my axes as opposed to waterstones, it is so much quicker and often it seems like you don't really need it to be sharper than what can be achieved with just a relatively fine file
Very awesome. I aways had a feeling whetstones were overrated. A second cut file sharpens and puts a shine ✨ on an edge way faster than any whetstone or oilstone. Then i polish the edge with a wide but short smooth flat rock as good as any Arkansas. Then i finish deburring with leather strop 👍
That is such a tough question actually. I think the first files you should buy a flat files at a chainsaw shop. They should have a variety so grab a few different ones, handles too. The main rule of files is to never drag them. They only cut one way so lift the tool after each cut when returning to the start. As far as maintaining original bevels, it just takes practice.
Orange golf ball file handles, arfcomer by chance? I too find draw filing with a long angle lathe file (as it appears you're using in the video) is extremely effective and efficient. The finish it leaves is sublime too.
Push cut is more efficient as you use more of the file, and is safe! Just use a guard and as with all cutting tools, use gloves! This isthe wrong way. Just look at the edge, it is very uneven. This is the way people do it when they cannot be arsed to learn how to do it correctly!
Anyone know how to get nicks out of a hatchets edge? 15 yr old here and y dad has a hatchet. I was chopping up some wooden drawers so that it could fit in the skip but unfortunately (what I think happened) it hit the metal hinge and it’s quite nicked in multiple places
I know this is a older video but since I seen this here id like to know what kind of file should I use... hope that doesn't sound stupid but when I whent looking there's so many types of files
If your axe chips when chopping, it's temper is not right. It should be hard enough to get and keep and edge and not so hard that it chips. Using a grinding wheel without water is a great way to ruin an axe's temper permanently by heating it.
I watched your video several months ago and sharpened my axe as you demonstrated. Today, I used my nearly sharpened axe and was mortified at how sharp I'd gotten it! I cut through a very large root in no time at all. Thank you for posting this video. Now, I have an axe with an edge to be feared! Thanks again!
Mortified?
@@hrdkorebp it means scared
This is one of the simplest, yet best videos on this on TH-cam. Thanks for sharing :-)
That ball handle is really handy. Went looking for one, couldn’t find anything like it or even a solid acrylic/plastic ball to make one out of, so I bought two 2.5” hooded caster balls from a big box store for $6. I cut out the pins and drilled out the casters with a larger bit to accept the file end. Worked like a charm.
Andrew Stolzer that’s a good idea. I’ve also seen guys take a golf ball and drill it out, then epoxy it onto the file.
I used Pool Ball (cue ball)
Golf balls…
Thank you for posting this, I'm not the only one out there who uses the draw file method. I find I can set my bevel much more accurately and as you said work faster and safer. Thanks for sharing
Very clear presentation and in less then 4 minutes instead of up to 30 minutes some take bouncing around trying to gain subscribers.
I wish I could like this video more than once. Fantastic!
I sharpened my first axe today using this technique. It was an old 5 pound boys axe my dad had for some minor work when he needed it. I had to use a really small and dull file, but after about 30 minutes on each side it became pretty sharp.
*boys axe
*five pounds
aren't "boy's axes" generally 2-3 pound heads or did you mean the whole weight
@@escapetherace1943 it is a old plastic handled axe by dad had gotten a long time ago and the handle seems to add like half the weight so yeah I'd say the axe head is about 2.5 to 3 pounds. But also five pounds of axe isn't very much for me so.
@@zandernecaise4497 nice I'd love an axe that size or bigger, looking for a 4 1/2 pound chopper so I can send it through some thick stuff. I do everything with a hatchet and saw right now but I want to do bigger wood.
Wow! This is genius, going to my shop right now to put an edge on my axe. Thank you.
Awesome! I just bought my 1st hatchet and I also bought a file to be able to sharpen it I didnt feel comfortable sharpening the other direction I cant wait for it to come time to sharpen.
Nice! Remember to go slow until you figure it out.
Great idea to put some magic marker lines on the edge to see how much material you are removing. Thanks for the tip!
its actually standard operation to put marker on the edge/blade when sharpening, not a new idea.
@@billycox792 shhhhh he doesn't know that
@@papasmurf6312 lol
@@billycox792 shhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm adopted
@@papasmurf6312 oh Jimmy... Jimmy... Jimmy... Jimmy
Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits.
I'm using this technique to put an edge on a "Missouri River Mouse Hawk" that I bought for an inexpensive camp tool; so far, it's working out very well, and I'm having no issues maintaining a uniform angle. Bravo!
Excellent tutorial. Short, sweet and very informative. Thanks!
The more excellent way to file an axe… thanks!
Great video. Thank you
thanks! That seems like a great method to get a good sharp edge. I really like filing my axes as opposed to waterstones, it is so much quicker and often it seems like you don't really need it to be sharper than what can be achieved with just a relatively fine file
much more convenient than waterstone also
I like the push cut. Your going with the grain and I wear gloves
Great method for reshaping. I'd hit it with the stones for 20 minutes after reshaping. Good video.
FREEKING WOW !!!!.....Thank you so very much for your video.....it's an eureka moment for me !!! I appreciate your time, and your information.
Very awesome. I aways had a feeling whetstones were overrated. A second cut file sharpens and puts a shine ✨ on an edge way faster than any whetstone or oilstone. Then i polish the edge with a wide but short smooth flat rock as good as any Arkansas. Then i finish deburring with leather strop 👍
Smart move with the marker! Thank you, sir.
Excellent tutorial! 🙏
Great video. This is the only method I use to sharpen my axe.
Wow, simple but very effective....
Thanks for sharing what kind of file you were using.
Will try this for my thickest greatsword like an axe. Thanks subscribed
New to using files. Curious which file is best for sharpening? Finer teeth? Any tips on maintaining the original bevel of a tool?
That is such a tough question actually. I think the first files you should buy a flat files at a chainsaw shop. They should have a variety so grab a few different ones, handles too. The main rule of files is to never drag them. They only cut one way so lift the tool after each cut when returning to the start. As far as maintaining original bevels, it just takes practice.
I really need to get a vice... thanks for the video!
That is terrific. Thanks.
Also heard this called the Alaskan sharpening technique i believe.
double cut bastard file is great for this... great video!
A second cut file us better for a finer edge
Orange golf ball file handles, arfcomer by chance?
I too find draw filing with a long angle lathe file (as it appears you're using in the video) is extremely effective and efficient. The finish it leaves is sublime too.
Great video. Thanks. Only trouble these days is finding American made files. Nicholson or Simonds. Maybe others are out there, but hard to find.
Nicholson is made in Mexico now.
I keep my nose to the Norton grindstones.
More material removal and efficiency is by using it the way it was constructed...forward motion.
I know knives and axes are 2 separate things, but is it not necessary to use any oil, even WD40?
Thanks for the tip pal. Great video from uk
Push cut is more efficient as you use more of the file, and is safe! Just use a guard and as with all cutting tools, use gloves! This isthe wrong way. Just look at the edge, it is very uneven. This is the way people do it when they cannot be arsed to learn how to do it correctly!
Idk seems good enough for backyard work
Great Video. Thanks.
Works excellent...any tricks for filing a 12.5" hewing axe?
wow, thanks mister!
alright alrighty but you should add in the beginning how to sharpen without the vice!
What kind of file to use? Thank you
Do you always use a sharpee marker for indication or is that purely for demonstration purposes?
Not always, but quite often.
Anyone know how to get nicks out of a hatchets edge?
15 yr old here and y dad has a hatchet. I was chopping up some wooden drawers so that it could fit in the skip but unfortunately (what I think happened) it hit the metal hinge and it’s quite nicked in multiple places
You’d probably have to file past the nicks
I know this is a older video but since I seen this here id like to know what kind of file should I use... hope that doesn't sound stupid but when I whent looking there's so many types of files
What grit do you begin with and then work your way up to?
This is a file technique. I generally use a medium mill file.
Nice vid, I like that method where do you get that handle from? Do you finish off with a stone.
Thanks again for sharing.
Golf ball...
You don't mention what kind of file you're using. I'd like to know that.
munched55 bastard file works well ir spend 30 bucks on a german axe file
Bastard file is for a rough first cut. For a finer edge use a second cut or finish cut file.
Great video. Thank you.
Thanks for the video! I will stop butting my hand while filing toward the blade
Thanks for the tip!
Spot on tutorial thanks
That's how my dad always sharpened an axe or machete and he could get it razor sharp that way .
Great video!
Thanks Cory.
looks really effective!
Beautiful!
What kind of file do you use?
What type of file are you using?
wish you had a close up. I'm going to use that method on an axe next.
+sabr686 SABER! If you've still got my email, shoot me a message my friend.
Does this also apply to tomahawks
Sure. Should work just fine.
Sharpened my axe right up does it need to be razor sharp because I thought if so it would chip when cutting
Light weight prepper Uk depends on metal quality I guess
If your axe chips when chopping, it's temper is not right. It should be hard enough to get and keep and edge and not so hard that it chips.
Using a grinding wheel without water is a great way to ruin an axe's temper permanently by heating it.
Did you use any oil while doing this?
Nope. I never use oil when I do filing of any sort. I find it does not let the file bite as well.
Use kerosene if you want a liquid to carry the shavings away from the surface. Oil inhibits contact between the metals, but kerosene will not.
Wear gloves.
Should we do the same with the other side?
Yes, of course. Just a short demo here.