Axe sharpening advice?

audiobliss
audiobliss Posts: 12,518
edited November 2010 in The Clubhouse
I'm trying to sharpen an axe and have an 8" or so metal file at my disposal. I've been working on it for a while now, and it is quite time-consuming putting a new angle on a new, blunt-edged axe. That doesn't really bother me so much...I can accept that it'll take some patience, though hopefully it won't take so much time to maintain the edge once the angle is established.

However, my problem is KEEPING the same angle while filing. At the moment the best setup I have is sitting on top of the mini-fridge with the axe wedged between me and the top of the fridge and the blade hanging over the edge so I can file away at it. Not exactly ideal. As I sit here typing this in my desk chair, I can still "feel" the axe under my butt. I'm recalling my Lansky knife-sharpening system back home and how it had a guide that clamped onto the knife blade to keep the angle constant. Is there something comparable that I could run down to Walmart and pickup for sharpening the axe?

This is all extremely low-budget, so I probably can't afford to do this how it should, but I'd really appreciate any input you might have on more easily keeping a constant angle whilst sharpening. Whether that be method and/or equipment.

Thanks!!
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Comments

  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited November 2010
    Do you have a belt sander by chance?
    Sounds good to me...
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited November 2010
    That's a negative.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
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    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited November 2010
    I just use a generic sharpening stone. Much wider than a file so a little easier to keep the same angle.
    -Cody
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited November 2010
    There are idiot proof sharpening kits that'll handle anything from lawnmower blade/ axe, all the way up to an x-acto knife. Should be able to find them at any hunting/ sporting goods store, $30+.

    The kit I bought(25+ years ago) is from Lansky Sharpeners.

    And no, I was NOT infering that you're an idiot.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited November 2010
    A good 12" **** file should make short work of sharpening an axe.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2010
    You may be using the wrong file. Clean the file and drag at an angle should make short order with clean right file. I would not use a grinding wheel.
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited November 2010
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKpsFLNvTD4

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN6rM2Zka_E

    This pretty much sums it up. sharpening an Axe with a file is a whole lot easier with a secure vise to hold it in.
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