How To Sharpen An Axe 

I bought the same sander from Harbor Freight just because of this video. By golly, that cheap little sander works pretty good for this. I restored 3 old axe's just as you do and I was so excited I took pictures! Fun, fun, fun. I was so proud of myself to actually be able to do this. Thanks a million Cody.

I normally don't comment but, I had to say Thank you! Setup an old sander I had in the shed purchased a few nice belts and wow I have an axe you can shave with... Went from rusted lawn ornament to hanging in the Jeep rack.

That is honestly one of the coolest things I've seen.

This is one of your best tips to bring a blade back. I have been looking how to do this for years. Thank you for the leg work you've done. Hope the work party weekend goes well and friends are made amongst you all.

My son told me about your videos. I watch at least one every day now and I'm so inspired. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skill in a way that inspires me. I love restoring old things and it seems I can't look at anything without thinking about how I could fix it up. By the way, I'm a 57 yr. old Grandmother of 10.....not your typical fan.

Excellent video! Been using your method for over a year now, I gotta say, once you take the time to put the divots in the axe head its a breeze to touch it up once it gets dull! 30 seconds maximum and I have all 3 axes back to hair popping sharp! I love it, and my axes get a lot more use now that its not such a chore to sharpen them! Thank you Wranglerstar!

Did this exact procedure today on a head I am restoring for my sons birthday next month. Worked perfectly. Thanks again.

Nice work !!! I tried your idea using a compass, but instead of using a punch and a drill to mark the pole, I glued a small 1/2" x 1/2" chip of balsa wood with a hole pre-drilled, which I set over the pencil mark and let dry. I used crazy glue on a clean axe surface. This worked very well and was later removed using acetone, leaving no marks and a perfect edge. Thank-you for the tip.

You are the Bob Ross of sharpening. I could have watched the waves crashing on the beach for hours. Great vid.

At 53-years old, I still love learning new things. You're a true Master Craftsman IMHO. Great video. Wm.~

holy cow just did this on a sandvik hatchet it is now razor sharp and is now my favorite hatchet thanks so much great video

I like your "do what you can with what you have where you are" method, thanks for sharing!

I love this video so much final someone who actually explains what sharpening is and how to actually do it on any axe I wish he would make one of these videos for knives

very crafty set up, I also like how you describe the hand stone technique as ocean waves. I always noticed that happened when sharpening but describing it that way is helpful and reassuring to those who are not confident with a hand held stone.

That was a very good video, the best I've ever seen on this topic in fact! The tool I use most often to sharpen my axes is a Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener, the new Ken Onion Edition. (Although the standard WSKTS will work almost as well.) If you're not familiar with the Work Sharp it's basically a hand-held mini belt grinder. The great thing about it, other than the fact it puts a convex edge on the ax rather than a flat ground edge, is that belts are available from 80 grit all the way up to 6,000 grit. If you want to you can put a mirror polished edge on your ax...or your knife, scissors, lawn mower blade, shovel, etc.... It wouldn't be useful for reestablishing the grind as you did in the video, but once the proper grind is established and it's time to start actually sharpening the edge--the point where you switched to the stone--the Work Sharp makes short work of getting it sharp. And regardless of which method I use to sharpen the blade, stones or the Work Sharp, one thing that I always do with an edge that I want to be truly sharp is to finish up with a leather strop to get rid of the microscopic burr that's left by even the finest stones, or in this case belts. It just makes the edge last longer before needing to be resharpened.

If you search (Modified Belt Sander Sharpens Axes and Pulaskis) the forestry service did a article similar to your. Slight modification of your idea but instead of taking the axe to the sander this method takes the sander to the axe head and also give you the ability to easily adjust the grind angle. Just thought id share! Thanks you for sharing your families adventure in this new life your leading and keep up the GREAT videos very informative and inspirational ! Cheers!

excellent cant ever get too much wranglerstar axe videos

I liked your method, I have always just done sharpening by eye for the last 50 years, but yours looks easier for the less experienced. I wanted to share my rust prevention system, It works on tools and firearms and even in the damp climate here in Central Florida near Orlando. I stopped using oil and switched over about 1970 to Kiwi Mink Oil Paste Neutral Boot Polish. apply to a clean metal piece, using small old toothbrush to reach into crevasses, and buff off with a dry cloth No need to clean off before using, like cosmoline, it does give a slick feel, but, no fingerprints turn to rust like with gun-oil. untouched it lasts over 6 months to a year. I don't like spraying with clear plastic spray and that will not stop rust...And remember WD-40 is not oil. I sprayed to clean out an air cond. fan bearing, in 1975, and in about two weeks, the bearing seized. WD-40 is not lubricant it is water displacement Oil or grease that bearing!

Thank you! I'm trying to learn the old ways because they are interesting and in case there's a power outage/zombie outbreak. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos and continual search for QUALITY equipment! I'm learning HOW to know what is quality and what is not; sometimes a hard thing to learn.

That is ingenious. Also, I love my Lansky puck. It works really well.

Thanks for all the great videos. I especially love the ones you make involving tools. Keep them coming.

I asked, and got this sander for My birthday last week. I really want to thank you for this idea,I've gotten about a dozen axe heads from eBay over the last several months and found 6 3x3 x36 hickory posts which I ripped in half,giving me 10 blanks that are 36 long,3 wide and almost 1 3/8 thick. I'm hoping to come up with some works of art over the winter.Your ideas will make it much easier.

I love that compass. The intersecting arcs is a cool way to map the edge. I need to try that.

Wranglerstar, never stop making videos.

Thanks really works on old axes that never worked well that have gone through 4 generations.

I did it! and it worked like a charm!

Very cool!! I have my father's old axe that I am am restoring. These videos have been a lot of help!!

You are like a Bad-Ass version of Mr Rogers...And believe me that is a great compliment. He was a great man that I learned a lot from and I learn a great deal from you....Thanks a million...Mooch

Ingenious is right. Mighty fine idea Wranglerstar.

your mind is amazing, the way it works out issues, the scissors for a compass. to see the pivot point realize that by adding some vice grips a little tape and pencil, Ta Da!!! instant compass. will be watching or more of these little tricks in the future.

Video just in time. Found my first axe head to redo this week at a flea market. Thanks for the tip. God Bless

Great video! I have an Arkansas stone that I use with some all purpose oil, for honing. I think the belt sander with the guiding point is a great idea. I've pretty much done it by hand and eyed the edge, a definite must try.

Great video. Working on editing together the completion of the restoration of my grandpa's craftsman boys axe. Head, handle, leather sheeth.

I so appreciate your videos. I feel like I can do this confidently... and I am a 56yo woman, disabled, but with tools and some experience. Thank you for this. You are a great teacher.

Best part of the video...the compass!! LOVED IT!!

Harbor Freight at it's best. Nice job thinking outside the box. Will be using this one soon. Thanks Cody!

Genius! Wish I could come up with a jig like this for doing all my edged blades!

That is ingenious! Thank you for sharing.

Genius Cody! Why I enjoy your channel..that Western Yankee ingenuity!

Man I let a lot of my tools lapse. I spent the weekend going through all my tools, getting them organized and hung correctly. Now I need to go through them and restore not only the edges, but get the rust off a few. I got an old boy scout hatchet I have had for over 42 years and its showing some signs of neglect. Thanks for the video.

thank you wranglerstar ( and family ) always learning from you all :) also just ordered "back to basics" book. but just wanted to say thanks for your videos

Great video and very informative. I've always struggle with getting a sharp edge on my tools and with the pointers in this video, you might have changed that for me. Thanks!

For new sharpening people. Always use a sharpie or some sort of marker and draw your edge and contour lines with it... Was the mark is removed and wears away it gives you a visual reference for consistency.. You can also change out your belts to much finer belts all the way down to just strop or emery cloth and do the entire process mechanically using this jig setup.. Note though you will need two jigs at this point as one is for the regrind as shown here and one will need to be slightly more angle for putting the finish edge on.. The finish edge should be around 5* +/- of the angle of the regrind.. If you use the same angle for the entire finish your edge will be super sharp but wear and chip easy and not be durable. In short.. You are putting two different degree edges on the blade.. This holds true for all edged blades..

This was great information. I have often wondered how to fix my axe and hatchet heads. I have always known that a grinder can destroy the temper. Now I just need to keep an eye out for a belt sander like what you were using at garage sales and c. list.

Another great learning video Cody! Thank you

Thank you. I have an old double bit I inherited that needs some TLC. I want to keep it because it's stamped "W.P.A."

Such a great technique.

Old video but still relevant. Thank you for taking the time.

Great video, Love the sharpening modification on the sander. The hatchet you have there looks very much like a Hudson Bay pattern.

Cody, your videos have taught me so much! I wish I could repay you for all of the knowledge I have gained over the years by watching your videos! Take care Cody!

Great tip Cody I will be try this on all my axe heads. Thanks

I'd like to mention that the contact point on the belt should always be tangent to the line perpendicular from the axis point. Otherwise the angle of the grind will vary from pass to pass. In other words, use an imaginary line straight in front of the pivot point and try to maintain contact on the belt on that imaginary line. Just my $0.02 Use eye protection. I agree that sharpening against the direction of the belt builds the "best" edge, but inherently dangerous. Not from the tool flying off the belt, but from the belt being cut by the edge of the axle and coming apart, possibly causing eye damage (or a minor hand wound). When hand sharpening, go with the direction of cut (as shown) but on a belt/disc sander you're asking for an accident by going against the direction of the belt. Nice video.

Just very inspiring film! Never thought of such a pivot axe shaping&sharpening method. You forgot only of bevel angle setting - and this can be determined trigonometrically considering height of pivot point, radius of turning, and width of axe poll/butt. Typically it counts abt.30degrees as I can remind.

The only thing I would change on that set up is the pivot point. If you made it longer and slotted instead of a fixed point of attachment you could easily change your angles for mauls, wedges, etc. It is awesome as is though, and I think I will have to duplicate it with my simple mod to better suit my needs. Thank you for this video Cody, and God bless you and your family in all things.

Very cool! Thanks for the idea!

That is ingenious, congratulations! It reminds me of a Norlund Axe/ Hatchet.

A+ Video man. I don't have a belt grinder setup yet, but I learned how to properly sharpen an axe with a stone. I have the soft and hard square stones by Lansky, I could see how a round stone would be easier to use but they worked fine.

It's good to have things done properly wouldn't you agree?

great video! I will definitely try this.

Thank you for showing me the correct way to get an edge on my axes. I will make sure my son learns from this also.

Wow... Absolutely outstanding! Thankyou for sharing!

Great video. That hatchet looks amazing now. My axe head is nothing special in fact it may have come from harbor freight, but I need to establish a much better edge. Frankly mine is terrible. I definitely need to get me a belt sander. I'm gonna make a compass and mark my axe head now lol

Followed and did what you showed here, then just for the heck of it I stroped my hatchet as well. Thanks for showing me how to do this.

I happened to come across your videos and wow... You are knowledgeable and your advice is great. I am also a believer PTL!

such an amazing video, had a smile on my face the whole time haha. your analogies are also relaxing, you just know how to make the perfect videos wranglerstar.

Very clever solution.

Really like your videos,Tips. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this..

Such a great video, thanks mate.

I just remembered the double bit axe video, I got it thanks.

Great video!

Wow thank you for this thats cool on how to find the correct bevel .

Excellent job, thank's!

Excellent tips as per usual Cody, I am heading to a car boot sale later and am hopint to see some vintage tools for sale, hopefully I might see something worth restoring. Keep up the good work

Great video, keep em coming.

Great Video!

we have few tools in common... thanks for sharing this information... appreciated.

Awesome Awesome video Cody!! Thanks for the education.

Great vid!

Excellent video

Very nice, thank you.

Very useful and informative. Thanks for the video buddy.

Very nice.... keeping with your theme of using items you have on hand, all the way down to an improvised compass!

Nice trick to make a perfect radius. Thank you :)

You dont need a stone. They have paper as fine and finer than sharpening stones.You just work your way up, then use a leather belt sander and sorta strop your blade. Great vid , I learned something that I can use in many different doings!

Awesome vid, I had no idea how to sharpen an axe before watching this :)

thanks for another great one!

your ax head has great lines, almost looks like a weapon, interesting details

great video

That is brilliant!

Thank you very much for sharing that information! My axe is scary sharp now.

Great job! Subscribed

You sir are a genius!

I was thinking the same thing! lol kept picturing him saying .." and you just want to use your happy stone and put a little happy wave on the beach here and here, there you go!"

had you check with the compass at the end after sharpening, you would have realized that using the dimple on the belt sander does not in any way ensure that the grind will be correct, all it does is potentially keep the angle of the bit consistent. you need to mark the bit very heavily with a sharpie or something, so you can constantly check the geometry of the bit while using the sander. the line the compass gave you was very straight, much straighter than the end result on your bit. it also needs to be convex slightly, not straight angle.

just woke up ...bumped the mouse...oh no more utubecrap...i listened...This is a Gem. Thankyou.....never change ,your doin it right...........................................................................

I agree with Beast's idea of reversing the sander

Brother, YOU are a GENIUS! You were truly BLESSED to be raised by men who KNEW what is important in life! To have the knowledge to be self-sufficient! And MOST importantly,to trust in the Lord above ALL! God Bless You and your family and thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom!

Awesome Cody, great way to find the correct angle. But, I too am wondering how to find it on a double bit axe as I have one from my grandfather that I'm wanting to refurbish myself. Would you mind doing a video on that? Thanks again for all the videos you do, it really is a great ministry/guide for others.

yes however the pivot point needs to be measured from the center.