Good evening everyone! Today I wanted to share with you how to easily sharpen your axe at home with a waterstone. There are many methods of sharpening an axe, but I find the easiest and safest way to do so is with a waterstone. You can also sharpen your knives and other tools with waterstones making them a great addition to your bushcraft kit and homestead.
In this video I will be sharpening my Hultafor's Classing Hunting Axe. This axe is the perfect size for camping and backpacking. It weighs about 2 1/2 lbs. and is 20" long. The head is handforged in Sweden using traditional blacksmithing methods and the handle is carved out of American hickory. You just can't beat a well made handforged axe. If you have ever bought an axe from the big box stores you probably know they don't keep an edge very long. If well maintained and cared for, these Swedish axes should last a lifetime. You can find an axe like mine online for around $60.
I'll be using the BearMoo 400/1000 grit waterstone and 3000/8000 grit waterstones. These stones are fairly inexpensive and will last a long time. You can carry one of them in your kit if you are going on a longer trip. When using these stones, make sure to soak them in water for at least 10 minutes before sharpening so that the pores will not clog. I find that the 400/1000 grit covers most of my sharpening needs, but there are many different sizes and grits to choose from.
A great place to sharpen your axe is near some running water. I use the kitchen sink because of its large basin and I can rest the handle against the edge of the countertop. You can also rest the axe across your lap in a seated position with the edge pointed away. If using these stones in the field, try to use the cleanest water possible. After you are done using them, rinse them clean and allow them to dry in a well ventilated area.
You will start by holding the stone at a low angle against the head. Use a circular motion with your hand using just the weight of the stone. Do not apply any downward pressure especially when pushing the stone away from you. Gradually increase the angle as you are sharpening making sure to work all points on the edge. Axes have a convex edge which makes them ideal for splitting wood, but a bit more difficult to sharpen. This means you will have to work the edge at multiple angles to ensure you are removing metal from all parts of the blade. Over time your wrist will learn to slightly roll as you are working the edge ensuring you hitting all the right spots.
In this video I will walk you through all the steps to sharpen your axe. I keep a pretty good edge on mine so it doesn't require as much time on the stone. If your axe has a bit more wear on it you may want to start sharpening with a bastard file. When using a file, make sure to push towards the edge and not away from it.
I hope you find this video and information useful the next time you need to sharpen your axe. If you sharpen and maintain your axe after each use it will save you time and money in the long run. If you have any questions about the axe, waterstones, or sharpening method please leave me a comment and I will get back with you soon. Thanks for watching!
