How To Sharpen an Axe by Wranglerstar 

just one comment if you stop touching the work area of the file you won't need to use the file card as much it's the oil from your fingertips that allows the small filings to stick to the file Also if you put talcum powder on the file before brushing the debris out it will also clean away any oil at the same time Just some thoughts from an old tool maker in the cutlery Sheffield England

My dad used to carry a stone with him in his pocket. It was a natural sandstone he found in a brook.

this was the first video of Wrangerstar's i ever watched, it's what made me subscribe to his channel. oh nostalgia.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it. 3 years on and it's still valuable information that we are all obviously still benefitting from. Thanks mate.

my grandfather retired from Nickelson file company nearly 40 years ago. he was a file cutter.

"Get a good american one" Me: "laughs in german"

These videos are well made. I don't know why they came up in my feed but I just can't seem to stop watching them. I'm not even a woodsman or other nature enthusiast. I do keep my mental tool box open however and I hope I remember these things when the shit gets real.

I got the marbles axe today! Watching this to learn how to sharpen by hand. GOD BLESS you and your family Cody!

I enjoyed your video -but I use 600 grit sand paper to sharpen my axe. I wrap it around a piece of wood then apply even pressure. You have done a great job making this and other videos. Thanks

Awesome series of Ax videos! I don't currently own a decent ax, but now, with your helpful information, I know what to look for, and how to recondition and care for them. Thank you, Sir!

Hey cody id like to thank you for teaching me many valuable lessons in life and about tools. You have inspired me to restore many axes and other "antique" tools.

Thanks Wanglerstar great videos . just a sugestion here , this is for everyone with a file without a handle on it , I find that If I get a gulf ball drill a small hole in it about halfway threw it and gently drive your file into it works great for a file handle . Its then better getting gouged by the end of the file Try It Out ! Im 50 and my father gave me that advice . Thanks Again !

Dear mr. Wranglerstar You have impacted my life big time. your videos are wonderful just as much as you are. you are a nice Christian man who lives "a simple kind of life" and has a caring heart you are very smart plz keep making videos God bless

Good video. Same procedure that my Dad taught me 50 years ago. I still have my Norton round India stone for final sharpening.

I've sharpened a few axes & hatchets this way over the years, and, while it does work quite well, it also makes me very thankful for modern technology like my Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener. It'll put a perfect convex edge on an ax in no time flat! It won't work without electricity of course, but while the power still works we might as well make the most of it! One thing that I always do when sharpening an ax, hatchet, tomahawk, knife, etc..., regardless of whether I'm using a stone or the Work Sharp, is to finish up with a leather strop. I know that an ax doesn't need to be razor sharp like a knife does, but using a file or a stone, even a very fine stone, will always leave a small burr on the edge. The leather strop removes the burr, and that makes the edge stay sharper for longer.

England made vises ftw! I want my view back.

Thanks for the video! working on my tools for my first house. It's going to be a cold winter so this will help me keep wood burning in my wood stove! :)

Excellent video, Few people seem to know that a chopping or cutting axe should be sharpened differently than a splitting axe.

Thanks for this video. Its nice to see how others do things. I'll be looking for a round sharpening stone this afternoon!

slow but sure, I am accumulating all the tools a man 'ot to have. This channel is my guide and example for all my future endeavors... being 22 years old... i think i have a good head start on most... God bless...

Well done! This is a vital skill for anyone that wants to be self-sufficient in an off grid or emergency setting.

Smell that? You smell that? WD-40, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of WD-40 in the morning. You know, one time we had an axe filed, for hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' nick in the bit. The smell, you know that oily smell, the whole shop, smelled like [sniffing, pondering] rust free. Someday this war's gonna end...

Excellent. I already knew a lot of this, but you are an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot. Thank you.

Used your technique and the old camp axe came out with a seriously sharp edge with only a bit of work! I did drill a small hole in the front of the vice jaw to rest the tip of the file tang into to make fixing the angle firmly and give me repeatability of angle. The technique required me to file off the steeper angle the axe had (for hardwood) and made it more narrow for softwoods like the pine around here. The final edge was 'honed' by using emery paper wrapped around file to give me a flat at the same angle as the file. The work paid off, and I will be using this method from here on out. Thanks for the vid, the technique does an fine job at what used to be a long and boring job.

Really enjoyed the lesson. I feel confident to give this a try now myself. Thank you.

That was fine instruction for using a file and stone. I use a belt sander 120 grit 4"x36" instead of a file then hone with a stone. I can sharpen many axes and lawn mower blades with one sander belt many more than a file can do. Files are best used camping or away from the shop... or give the axe a few strokes with the file after sanding it. If you are just touching up the edge a file would do fine. The sander works best on a very dull and nicked up axe, never use a grinder they are the worst thing to use to put a keen edge on a blade.

Love what you said about not getting too scientific about it..........hacking means steep angle, fine cutting means shallow angle. People will learn on the way. Good job.

you want a cast iron vice, does not matter what company or country it comes from , dont buy a welded one, buy a full cast iron. an old one will be best.

Great video. Thanks, man. I play the oboe and make my own reeds, which requires a lot of knife sharpening with surgical grade precision. I'm not used to this rough kind of work. Very great tutorial, though.

in my experience, nothing beats german made tools

A couple of points: if you want to stop the file clogging just rub a stick of chalk on it before using, this stops the swarf from clogging the teeth, especially if you're filling non-ferrous materials. Second, if you want a really good quality vice buy a cast steel one. Record (UK manufacturer) makes vices in cast iron and cast steel but the Engineer's vices are always cast steel. The Chinese do make good tools (very high quality, precision tools) but you'd have to pay as much, if not more, than you do for USA made tools. As with everything in life you get what you pay for.

It's fun to watch the oldies again

Chainsaws and hydraulic wood splitters are nice tools to have, but well maintained hand tools can make a job well done worthwhile.

Went to the local bunnings but couldn't find a Jon Snow file.

just a mention to the whole "buy american made stuff", over here in europe I would suggest to get german or austrian stuff, or just stuff from further in the north of europe(norwegian, sweden) and I'm pretty sure that most of that stuff will be equally as good or even better than american made stuff...

Nice, thank you for taking the time to teach me this skill.

This is the video that brought me to you channel. The one that made me a loyal Wranglerstar fan!

I like your choice of music on this video.

What a cracking video, some really nice tips and hints. Thank you for taking the time out to make it. Lee

After looking at your cut finger in the other video, I think you may do well to wear gloves sharpening blades with a stone. We all get tired and lose focus from time to time. That edge you put is sharp as a razor. I cut myself like that on a lawnmower blade. I tried taking it off without gloves or draping a rag over the blade, just to get it done quick. Now I use gloves or at least an old towel. I've also become a fan of using anti-seize on bolts like that.

I split my own wood and burn locally. Not only will I use these ideas on my axes I will also do the lawn mower which has been not been done recent enough. Thanks for sharing.

For your information. I purchased a lansky stone sharpener (the puck). I tested the stone with a Geiger counter. The results: the normal back ground in my area is 15 to 20 counts per minute in millirem. I tested the lansky puck, the count was 140 millirem cpm. I suggest at the very least putting on a thick glove and a dust mask when using the stone.

I like how you support the economy of your country

Great info - but I'd suggest you put your promo and 'what I'm going to do' (first 5 mins) in a separate video. Many RU-vidrs have these long lead-ins and it NOT what the initial title is about, and adds extra time to wade thru. I would suggest having a link to your 'overview' and 'plans' and give it a quick mention at the start - then - get on with the subject at hand... i.e. "Git 'er Done" Also made great use of your 'how to hang an axe head' vid - great stuff! THANKS!

I am glad you have taken the time to explain "American quality" versus garbage from Pakistan or china.

Mr Wranglerstar, I have a draw knife, very old and rusty but sharp. I would love to see a restoration on a tool like this or a spoke shave or possibly just tell us the best way to remove the rust. I plan to use this tool if possible in instrument and furniture making. Love the videos.I am very happy for you , living your dream.

Awfully relaxing to look at people sharpening their tools.

Great video, very informative. But I would just like to ask shouldn't you use oil on your Lasky puck?

Great instruction. my Eastman felling axe is an absolute nightmare. I've got some work ahead of me.

Damn this video is good. Bravo with the instructions and logic behind each bit.

Great video. I am a long time knife guy but did not know the best way to sharpen my axes...Thanks... dogbugler

I don't know if anyone as mentioned it yet or if you already know about this, however rubbing some chalk on the file will lubricate it a little and you'll have to clean it out with your file card less often

"Get a GOOD American made one" :D You´re really funny Regards from Germany Ps: Great Video

When I was a lad and worked a lot with tools, we used to tap the file on the side of the bench every couple of passes, that usually kept the file clear. I have a bastard sword, used to think it was because every time it was used, the recipient would shout that word, l.o.l Going to start following your vids brother, just watched your sisters vid on your gathering, made me feel good. Working with tools again now I am retired, wood managment on an english shooting estate, gamekeeping etc, lovely being in the woods again, sometimes without a gun.

What brings me here is finding a L.A. Sayre Co. Hudson Bay pattern hatchet at a garage sale last weekend. Never sharpened, original paint and very little forging marks/artifacts. To be highly polished up.... maybe. Cost one buck. Looks like it dates pre 1909. Files: some really good tips here and just to add to technique.... esp. left handers. In cleaning up a totally abused, rusted up and chipped edged axe, I start out with the good old rat tail used to sharpen your chainsaw. Removes a lot of metal fast and working the cutting edge aim it for the mid-highest point of the head. Progressing .... being left handed I've given up on single cut files and have gone to double cut (cross-hatched) files. Works equally well in both hands. Important to keep files oil free, so I use brake cleaner before cleaning with the file card. Honing stones: The Norton two grit rectangle stones you find at the box stores work just fine. Cost is 4 or 5 bucks. Buy two.... one as an oil stone and use the other as a water stone to use for touch ups when you're up in the timber. Wafer or pocket stones work great when working in your lap up in the timber. I like to hone horizontally. I've got a wood faced shoulder vise which allows that. A polished razor edge I use soft and hard Arkansas stone.Keep up the good videos here............

Geez, Cody looks and sounds 30 years younger 8 years ago!!

Thanks for a well explained video. You keep saying buy American but if you live in the UK, I doubt you would want to pay for the delivery for a vice, nor the import taxes!

Thanks for endorsing American made! Good video, thanks :)

Thanks for doing the video, useful to me. I'll get a decent file next time I'm at the hardware shop, and a file cleaner as you suggest. Bruce Thomson in New Zealand.

The Nickleson files I see in the shops here in Australia are from Brazil.

Thanks Cody. This was a very good video. I learned a lot.

I found an axe in the uk that cost with the current conversion to dollars costs $7 it's a hatchet about 14" long good grain orientation USA hickory not a great edge or steel but it's a good cheap light fairly sharp hatchet to buy for a beginner

Good Job, Proudly Made In The USA important. Quality and fair pay.

Actul sharping starts around 9:30.. After all the talking! Dont waste your time on the first 9 minutes trust me.

thx for the vid! as an old-shool woodworker, i've learned to sharpen (chisels lets' say) staring with an initial "hollow grind" along the beveled face w/6" med wheel. Then the cutting edge need only be dressed w/a med/hard stone. Of course, taking care not to over-heat and thus ruin the steel tempre~~~just have to re-grind once-in-awhile~~~thx again ~~~oh ya, English and German tooling are great products, and i'd rather support U.S. made only if the quality is similar

Same process I use on my axe, shape the edge with a file and hone with a stone. I use a wet stone though, not sure if his stone is supposed to be dry or not but I doubt it. With a wet stone you can tell if you have the right angle on the stone if slurry is developing on the side of the blade opposite to the stone. My axe is so sharp I can get through a 2 inch sapling in a single cut.

Incredibly great instruction, thank you!

To add to the comments, if you use a black magic marker and coat the cutting edge, it will allow you to visually see where your file and/or stone is riding on the blade. If your use a file, lay the file against the edge and laying against the cheek of the axe, raise the rear of the file slightly off the cheek will give you the approximate angle needed to start the sharpening. By marking the blade face you can easily follow your file along the edge as you sharpen.

Great video. Did you apply the red paint? If so what is it?

have you ever seen the maul with little spreader fingers,leavers twards the tip. my father and i used to split and deliver 2cords a day every weekend and someone we delivered to told us it's the cats meow but it seemed to hurt my wrists and deliver more shock and vibration but honestly i haven't seen or thought about one in 20years til i subscribed to wranglerstar

I never knew of a file card, I learned something today!

Nicholson files are now made in Mexico. Look for old ones at yard sales and estate sales.

Nice VID! Thanks for taking the time. Merry Christmas!

Another great video Cody! One tip for you guys, if you have a wire brush you don't really need a file card IMO. I have a 5 or 6 inch Craftsman and it has worked really well for me also. Hey, I spot a dremel tool lol. Did you repaint that axe yourself? Pretty sharp for sure.

I love traditional work

Best vices are English such as the record brand.

Mr. Wranglerstar, where do I find one of those round sharpening stones? Approximate cost, if you don't mind sharing. thank you, good video!

Bench vises "RECORD" brand (made in England) are excellents too.

Nice tutorial, do you ever use cutting oil when sharpening? Wasn't sure if it was omitted from the video just so it didn't get messy around the camera, or if you just never use it.

Something I also found to clear out the teeth of a file is piece of brass. sharpened on end like a chisel (if possible a small chunk, not sheet metal only big enough to get a grip on). Moving in the diagonal direction of the teeth scrape the sharp edge across. The brass will conform to the teeth spacing and clear almost anything out. From bastard files all the way up to fine jewelers files, it works.

I do the same stone work with a "square" stone. Its just as easy and that's what I have so it works.

good video... did the stone come with info that specified it should be used dry like that?

Thank you Mr.Wranglerstar,I am new and unpracticed in this. Hope I can develop my muscle memory,very good tutorial for me.However what is your opinion with using oil on the puck ?In your video you did not seem to use any thing unless you had it steeping in water on your bench.I am curious because I am told once its oiled, you can never go back to water.Regards from Arbroath,in sunny Scotland.

i have a miami vice.

Good day Wrangler...thanks again for a useful video....I'm about to sharpen my hand axe and found this helpful..... An off topic comment: I'm a mechanical watch fan; so are you sporting a Marathon in this video?

Great video. I am currently trying to put a bevel on an old "Dunlap" axe I found at a flea market. The edge was flat. It has been an adventure. I have about 3 hours in it now and still havent gotten it right. Any tips Wranglerstar?

"Plastic is definitely more durable." I have a feeling Cody has learned the truth behind this sentence. After years of use (and as seen in more recent videos), that plastic handle is now residing in the garbage. Wooden handles win.

Nice tutorial, thank you.

May I give people a good advice (if you don't have a bench). Don't hold the stone in your hand. Instead lay it on a flat surface (the dirt ground will do perfectly), sit down and use both hands to hold the tool that needs to be sharpened. Better control and less chance (if any even) to accidentally slice your hand open. ;)

MSC direct is a good place to shop online for tools and consumables.

why do you run the file toward the sharp edge? why not go from the back forward, so if you slip you don't cut yourself? looks scary to me pushing my hand toward a sharp blade. I like my hands they mean a lot to me.

Don`t know about anyone else but if I buy any tool I ask for a gaurantee ,if I don`t get 1 then I don`t buy . The way I see it is if a company can say this tool will last for x amount of years it`s normally good quality,so far it`s worked for me .

I need me a hand and a half bastard file. I'll call it Oathbreaker.

I picked up the 12 inch bastard file from Nickleson and I'm sorry to inform you wranglerstar... they are no longer MADE IN USA!!! Like norton stones, they are now Made in Mexico... and I will attest that the file was not very straight out of the package, but it did however work very well! I did this to an old splitting maul, and your advise was great. I did not have a nice vice set up, I did mine on a pick-nick table with my foot holding the thing down, and it still got real sharp. My 2 bevels are not perfectly even, but the thing is sharper than it was new! Thanks for the video man it was real helpful. Do you think that Lansky stone being concave helps the con vexing of the axe edge?

Sir, your files will last longer if you wear a glove. Don't touch the cutting teeth of the file with your bare hands. The oils and acids from your hands will deteriorate the cutting edges. Don't take my word for it, go talk to any old machinist and they will tell you the same thing. Great video. The way my dad taught me to sharpen an axe.

Good Investment .. Thanks for posting.

Hey wranglerstar is it possible to make a hybrid cutter/splitter? Like make the edge and about 1.5 inches in narrow and then leave the part near the handle broader? Thanks Cody.

Thanks for posting this video. Good stuff!

Nice educational videos. Thank you. Just a question and need your opinion. I am a hog hunter and I collect the tusks of the hogs. To collect the tusks, I need to cut both upper and lower jaws of the hog first. Can you tell me how the Egde of the axe should be sharpened ? Is there a special way or method to cut the bones with an axe ? I just bought an Estwing 26" axe.

Bastard cut is the coarsest of American pattern files.