Author Topic: How I file sharpen an axe (Read 17518 times)

upthecreek · « **on:** February 02, 2012, 05:30:22 PM »

I made this vid a while back and thought it may be appropriate here.

Creek

Red · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:36:33 PM »

damn creek!! looks like its time for a new glove!!! great video, thanks for sharing!!

Zeus · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:44:48 PM »

Awesome man! Thanks for posting. I'll keep all this in mind next time I need to touch up my little Estwing hatchet.

Just noticed I have the exact same shop glasses..

upthecreek · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:50:37 PM »

Quote from: Kratos on February 02, 2012, 05:36:33 PM

damn creek!! looks like its time for a new glove!!

I just think how much skin those gloves kept off the wall

Zeus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:56:34 PM »

I was wondering if a big leather disk slipped up on the tang of the file, followed by the file handle would help prevent cuts too.

And you might try wiping the tip of that marker on a rag dampened with some alcohol to freshen it up. I have to do that all the time in my shop when I draw on something oily and it clogs my marker tip.

upthecreek · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:03:00 PM »

I got a whole set of file handles I should be using...I'm a slacker

Remo007 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:05:38 PM »

Great Video Upthecreek!!! thank you for sharing!

Gurthy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:14:59 PM »

Thanks for sharing Upthecreek!

Gurthy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:15:25 PM »

Quote from: Zeus on February 02, 2012, 05:56:34 PM

I was wondering if a big leather disk slipped up on the tang of the file, followed by the file handle would help prevent cuts too.

Great idea!

Zeus · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:24:51 PM »

Quote from: upthecreek on February 02, 2012, 06:03:00 PM

I got a whole set of file handles I should be using...I'm a slacker

Yeah they make it easier. I saw somewhere a while back a guy had made some from dowels and a piece of copper pipe for a ferrule.

trentu · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2012, 05:44:49 AM »

That is some great info. Thanks for taking the time to post it for us.

Dano · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:39:29 PM »

Great video. I'm learning that I need to trust thinning the cheek area down more than I'm used to doing, and that will probably help with the binding too. Great job, thanks!

greyhound352 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2012, 06:24:24 PM »

Great video creek thanks for sharing.

Fire Steel 703 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2012, 06:47:05 PM »

Great! Thanks for posting. I just got a tomahawk that needs sharpening. This will really help

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2012, 07:10:40 AM »

Thanks utc, how do you like that little Norlund hatchet? I've always wanted one but haven't came across one yet. Thanks for sharing

Foxfire · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2012, 02:33:50 PM »

Thanks for the tutorial UTC.

cattledog · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2012, 08:17:31 AM »

Well Done Creek.
I have a bigger Norlund HB that needs the bevel filed. Mine has the shallow area you pointed out as well.
I learned to stay away from the edge in this tutorial. Nice clamp and HB'S btw.
thanks

Fire Steel 703 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2012, 08:35:21 AM »

Thanks for the how to. I bought a round puck stone. Would the technique be different with it?

MATT CHAOS · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2012, 12:05:36 PM »

Thanks for the video! I appreciate it.

upthecreek · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2013, 12:01:29 PM »

I'm wondering if some of our membership has used this method and if so if they have any input to improve the process.

Creek

Wilderbeast · « **Reply #20 on:** April 09, 2013, 02:14:20 PM »

Quote from: upthecreek on April 09, 2013, 12:01:29 PM

I'm wondering if some of our membership has used this method and if so if they have any input to improve the process.

Creek

I actually file away from the edge instead of toward it like you do in the video.

I get ok results and feel safer than pushing the file towards the edge.

Bearhunter · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2013, 02:38:58 PM »

I file towards the edge generally trying to keep a convex grind.
I then finish off with a puck and a strop.

Double Ott · « **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2013, 09:24:05 AM »

Quote from: Bearhunter on April 09, 2013, 02:38:58 PM

I file towards the edge generally trying to keep a convex grind.
I then finish off with a puck and a strop.

+ 1

woodsrunner · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2014, 08:34:42 PM »

Thanks for the tutorial creek...it only took me a couple years to get it watched

...well demonstrated and explained

...woods

upthecreek · « **Reply #24 on:** August 07, 2014, 04:15:54 PM »

Quote from: Bearhunter on April 09, 2013, 02:38:58 PM

I file towards the edge generally trying to keep a convex grind.
I then finish off with a puck and a strop.

I haven't paid close enough attention to this thread. The reason I tend to file towards the edge, especially on ones that need a thinner profile, is that I find I can place my palm forward and it allows me to dig deeper back towards the cheek. Filing from the pole I find that I tend to hit my knuckles on the head as I work towards the end of the file. The main thing is to find the method that works best for you. I usually finish up with a belt. Bless power tools!

Creek

upthecreek · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2015, 06:52:21 PM »

Everyone needs to watch this video again so my youtube hits will rise

It's a lonely thread....

Creek

OutdoorEnvy · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2015, 09:45:23 AM »

Quote from: upthecreek on January 05, 2015, 06:52:21 PM

Everyone needs to watch this video again so my youtube hits will rise It's a lonely thread....

Creek

LMAO!

I'll add that I sharpen towards the edge as well for the same reason creek said. The file bites better and the work seems to go faster plus you can get the exact angle you want on the edge. I don't have a grinder yet so all my axes are done with files and stones. I don't want to say how long I've spent with a file on some axes...

crashdive123 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2015, 12:25:24 PM »

Quote from: upthecreek on January 05, 2015, 06:52:21 PM

Everyone needs to watch this video again so my youtube hits will rise It's a lonely thread....

Creek

OK - you've got one more view. Nice vid.

Aven · « **Reply #28 on:** September 21, 2015, 10:04:54 PM »

Thanks for the video Upthecreek.

I had to laugh at first. When you first started talking, I thought you were my brother.

EDA I was laughing at myself because I had just gotten off the phone with him and was a tab bit confused. Took a moment to realize it wasn't my baby brother teaching me something.

wolfy · « **Reply #29 on:** September 21, 2015, 10:47:25 PM »

It always seems to me that the file is more likely to slip at the very beginning of the cheek thinning process. I attribute that to less surface area of the cheek being in contact with the file face.....it even sounds crappy! Once I get a wider filing surface showing through the ink, the more work the file is doing effectually AND the sound is deeper and more pleasing to the ear.

Thanks for 'bumping' this thread, Aven......Creek did a good job on it!

Aven · « **Reply #30 on:** September 22, 2015, 05:43:44 AM »

He did do a great job on it.

I'd suggest that you put a 4"x4" square of thickish leather guard on the file. Just cut a slot in it so it will slide up the tang than put the handle back on. It doesn't replace gloves, it's just a bit more insurance.

Sarge · « **Reply #31 on:** September 22, 2015, 08:04:41 AM »

Yep, thanks for the bump. Great video.

Good idea, Aven. I might give that a try.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Donfini · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2016, 05:37:54 PM »

Great video thanks for the info!

upthecreek · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:11:14 PM »

Thanks!

Creek

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Author Topic: How I file sharpen an axe (Read 17518 times)