How to sharpen an axe (so sharp Gimli would use it!)

How to properly sharpen an axe 

Think back to The Fellowship of the Ring when Boromir is checking out the broken Sword of Elendil and he says of it: "still sharp".

This is an in-joke to Sean Bean's character Richard Sharpe from his show Sharpe who was a soldier during the Napoleonic Wars.

And if Sean Bean knows the importance of a good sharp joke, he'll understand how important it is to swing a sharp axe when chopping wood or bringing down a horde of Orcs!

After all, one does not simply walk into Mordor without a sharp axe!

You also need to take Gimli!

It's obvious that one sharpens an axe so that it cuts wood better but a sharp edge means you can apply less force which means you can cut more accurately and for longer. 

A sharper blade also reduces the risk of an accident occurring because the edge is less likely to slip from where it lands.

A guide on how to sharpen your axe

As always, use the right tools, secure working space and play it safe with gloves as apt. Or use your bare hands, you know what to do right?

And you know that preparation is key.

There's a saying I came across a while back that goes something like this: if you have six hours to chop down a tree, then you should spend the first four of them sharpening...

So.

To begin.

If there is any rust on your axe you should clean it off with a rust eraser or steel wool. You can use sand paper at a pinch.

You don't need to polish the axe head so you can see yourself in it but why have a rusty axe? 

How to sharpen an axe with a stone or file tool

If you have a sharpening stone, then you're on a path to sharpening glory.

Ideally, your stone will be coarse, maybe even a diamond-coated sharpening stone. 

Or you have a file. 

When you sharpen a knife, you move the blade against the stone which is stationary. 

The reverse applies when sharpening an axe or hatchet. Your file or stone will be what moves so you axe should be stationary. 

Ideally, you can clamp it in a vice so it doesn't move but a great trick I learned as a lad in Scouts is if you place a plank of wood under the axe head, you'll be able to raise the edge of the axe enough so you can sharpen at a good angle.

You can hold the axe handle down by standing on it and then use firm strokes over the edge.

Just like this:

When you have made good progress on one side, flip the axe over and repeat. 

You'll know your axe is sharpened well enough when having swapped sides, a nice shiny 'raw' edge appears that looks ready to split wood. 

Here's a step by step guided to sharpening your axe: 

Step	Action	Tools Needed	Details
1	Preparation	Gloves, rust eraser or steel wool	Wear gloves for safety. Remove any rust on the axe blade using a rust eraser or steel wool to ensure a clean surface for sharpening.
2	Secure the Axe	Vice or plank of wood	Secure the axe to prevent movement while sharpening. Clamp it in a vice, or use a plank of wood to elevate and stabilize the axe head.
3	Select the Sharpening Tool	Sharpening stone or file	Choose a coarse sharpening stone or a file. A diamond-coated stone is ideal for effective sharpening.
4	Position the Sharpening Tool	-	Unlike sharpening knives, the tool moves rather than the axe. Hold the stone or file and prepare to move it across the blade.
5	Sharpening Technique	-	If using a file, push it across the edge of the axe in firm strokes. For a stone, use a consistent circular or sweeping motion. Ensure you maintain the correct angle (typically 20-30 degrees) to the blade.
6	Check and Adjust	-	Frequently check the sharpness of the blade and adjust your technique as needed. Aim for a consistent sharpening angle for the best results.
7	Finishing Touches	Light oil, cloth	Once sharpening is complete, lightly oil the blade to prevent rust. Use a cloth to remove any debris and excess oil.

Using a grinder to sharpen an axe

Electric grinding tools are a legitimate tool to sharpen an axe with but there are some real risks when using these tools - for goodness sake, only use a grinder that the safety guard still attached and wear protective eyewear and gloves to keep those hands and eyes safe.

When using a grinder, the key thing is to ensure you you maintain the correct cutting angle of the axe itself. If you are not careful, the grinder could level out the whole blade - which would be detrimental to the 'splitting power' caused by the different thicknesses at the edge of the blade. 

Here's a handy video which shows how to cut - doesn't necessarily follow our suggested safety guidelines...

This is basically the same method you can use to sharpen a lawn mower blade!

If you are in the market for an axe, consider one of the sharpest on the shelf there is, the Gransfor Bruk Small Forest Axe may be worth your consideration.

axe, guide, how to sharpen an axe, tool maintenance