How To Sharpen An Axe The Right Way 

No axes were harmed in the making of this video... nor were they sharpened...

hey cody, I am a 12 year old with a passion for restoring axes and old tools, when I am older, i want to live off the grid like you. I always look forward to watching your videos. I dont know if you agree but it really is meaningfull to see a rusty and dusty tool get brought back to life. I would like to be fortunate enough to win the jig.

Hey wranglerstar! My name is Alex, I'm from missouri and have been watching your videos for about a year now. Some of your older axe restorations have inspired me to put together a few of my own axes and your videos have helped out a lot. Just over a month ago my grandfather passed away and among his old tools was an axe that his father had given him. My dad gave me the axe just a few days ago and I have plans to put a new handle on using the old (broken) handle as a pattern. Luckily the axe has been taken care of enough to have minimal chips in the edge, zero rust and pitting, just a little mushrooming- but the grind could use some TLC. I was thinking that your extra jig would be a good place to start and would be honored to receive it. Thanks so much for all that you put into your videos. I believe you've made a tremendous impact on many people's lives with your message, and hope that you continue doing so. -Alex

I really like your craftsmanship. Some commenters say you can buy one, but sometimes making your own sharpens your skills and helps you appreciate items more.

i just don,t get it where is the sharpening bit going to happen or did i miss some ot

Are you just turning of the camera too early or is my RU-vid giving your videos the wrong names

i'm 18 year old, cutting trees from northen italy! i watch you every day and i really appreciate your videos and your tips for every kind of work. i hope to come in the US one day and meet you and your family !

Great idea! Sometimes it's the simple ideas that are the most valuable. I started watching the channel to learn about axes and now not just me, but my entire family is hooked! Thank you for providing quality entertainment with true lessons on morals and values, your videos are very much appreciated and respected. Recently my son (7 yrs old) and I restored an old sandvik axe, the project provided a perfect time for bonding and conversation and is a gift that continues to give back to us! My son takes great pride in his axe now and takes the responsibility to keep it out of the dirt and off rocks because he knows how much work goes into keeping it sharp and in good condition! I can't say how proud I am of what he has learned! He would love to have a tool made by you Cody and the fact that it would help him with his axe would be icing on the cake! Thanks again for all that you share with us week after week! It is much appreciated!

You titled "How To Sharpen An Axe The Right Way ". And you did not show viewers how to sharpen but to make a piece of wooden template.

That's really cool. Can you show it in use?

Hi Mr. Wranglerstar, this is Christian. I have a small mowing business and on the side I cut down trees, trim the limbs off and make a brush pile for animals to live in, cut the tree into sections, then haul them off with my John Deere, all with an axe of course, so I don't disturb neighbors. Once I get if home I use my chainsaw to cut them into 18 inch sections and split them. I then season the wood over the spring and summer and sell firewood for the winter. I have a Husqvarna small forest axe, American felling axe, American splitting maul, and a new Collins axe. I can never get a good grind on them so it makes the hard work even tougher! My buddy used some of my axes and dug them into the dirt giving them nicks in the blade that I would like to get out. Thanks for reading!

Mr. Wranglerstar l love watching your videos on how to sharpen axes. I recently made a carpenter's axe out of an old hatchet head that I reprofiled. The handle was cut down from a new axe handle and hung to fit the head. I purposely used hand tools for the entire project. I enjoy challenging myself and I know that I will be able to pass this tool down to my son. I also recently acquired a council tool boy's axe. This past weekend it did a great job of splitting kindling wood. I am honored that you are willing to give your guage and knowledge away so freely. May God continue to bless you and your family as you seek to honor Him. Mark 13:35-37. GORDEN.

Hi Cody my name is Alex, i saw this video and was rely interested in your invention. I love the idea to make a brass one, but i agree if this is treated well it would last a life time. me and my uncle are starting a landscaping business and i do the felling and removal of tree's were as he works on more of the yard aspect. as of late i have the issue with finding a good angle on my axes. it's imperative that i get these jobs done adequately, and with my options for sharpening it's difficult, i could find a million and a half uses for something like this. I'm more than happy to just leave a comment saying great video but if there is a chance i could win this why not post =). i'm an avid fan of your channel and just enjoy watching these, as always keep up the good work i look forward to the next installment, thanks and have a great day.

Happiness is like a bird, the more you chase it the further it flies away.

I just refurbished an old axe my dad had. Much of what I did I learned after subscribing to your channel. Thank you!

Hi Cody. Tanya here I'd like to use this to help me with sharpening my axe and hatchets as I just purchased 98 acres of wooded property and have a feeling I'm going to need them more than ever now. I've been watching your channel for some time learning as much as I can preparing for this move. You have a wealth of knowledge and I watch you videos over and over.

Your video on the Marbles Axe is why I purchased it. Love it.

For those looking to purchase one instead of making it: Monarch Tool Company, 3702 Meyer Ln Stevensville, MT 59870-7021 406-777-5931 They sell a gauge to the Forest Service which is a guide to sharpening all sorts of things, not just axes. Because of that it is also larger than the one Cody made. And it costs over $30.00 It is mentioned in the book, "Hand Tools for Trail Work". "The Missoula Technology and Development Center has developed a handtool sharpening gauge that provides a quick guide to the proper cutting angle for a number of tools. The gauge takes the guesswork out of sharpening Pulaskis (both ends), axes, shovels, combination tools, and McLeods. It has a “no-go” line that shows when a Pulaski head is too worn to refurbish. The handtool sharpening gauge is available from the General Services Administration, item number: NSN 5210-01-324-2776, NFES 0510."

Found your channel recently and love it! Owning a home with some land , I purchased a axe to cut wood for my fireplace. I wanted to learn more , that's how I found you. Thank you very much for your content. Your passion for this resonates and increases my enthusiasm to learn more!

This would be handy to sharpen my ax and the hatchet my daughter and I use while camping in the woods. Keep up the great videos; they and you are both a blessing to all of us!

So now you cannot use your steel stamps on iron anymore, they are soft now.

Wrong title.

This video is short and simple. Just what I need for an axe and saw kit I am making for my son for Christmas. Thanks for all your videos. Keep up the helpful hints and good skills that you include in the WranglerStar series of RU-vid videos.

Thank you for sharing your immensely educational knowledge freely across the web! I am an amateur gardener working in Northern Taiwan and your channel has been an invaluable learning resource for me, thank you again! Mr. Wranglerstar, you are a good man, and may God Bless you and your family!! Thanks again!!

You are ruining or have ruined the temper of those steel stamps by heating them and letting them cool slowly. Look at hardening steel videos.

I've seen four "How To Sharpen ... Axe..." videos on your channel now. You, sir, are pretty bad at naming videos. Or pretty good. As, in addition, everything recent I've seen just browsing the channel has an "OH MY GOD THIS IS SO AMAZING!!" sort of clickbaity title. Maybe you know RU-vid quite well, but it's rather sad. I'm torn because you have some useful information, but I can't decide whether or not it's outweighed by the misleading and manipulation.

CODY, You NEVER cease to amaze me with your COMMON SENSE approach to the simple things in life. You can count me in for the jig contest. God Bless & Carry on

I'd feel blessed to receive this. We recently moved to five acres and are trying to heat with wood. Over the past year I invested in two Gransfors Bruks axes and a Husqvarna splitting maul. Brand new to sharpening and this would certainly help keep me on track!

This video literally had nothing to do with how to sharpen an axe.

Thanks Cody! I stumbled on your channel maybe a year ago to watch growing potatoes in wood boxes. I have watched countless more of your videos and subscribed. I really enjoy so many elements of your videos...axes and tools, self reliance, family, God, variety. thanks for sharing a slice of your life and making a positive impact on so many people.

Your original axe sharpening video from from years ago was the one that i used to sharpen my axe and now i sharpen all of my tools, it makes a huge difference from before when i was younger and didn't know how to properly sharpen things and my pocket knives and such would always be duller, now i know how to put both a good and appropriate edge on my knives and axes, i learned on my cold steel norse and riflemans tomahawk.

Definately need this tool. I've had such a hard time figuring out the angle to sharpen. Have a blessed day!!!

Awesome brother!! I have an old splitting maul and a few old axes I'd love to have that for!! Godbless you and your family. You honestly inspire my wife and I with your educational videos, to become future homesteaders. Right now we are working on becoming debt free. My wife has recently become a stay at home mom and we are expecting again come April 2016. With having our little girl and seeing the direction this country is going, doing everything ourselves for a fraction of the cost is looking better and better everyday. We pray and believe to be close to debt free by the time our next gift from God is in our arms!!

I just came across your videos about a month ago. Thanks for all you show and say. My grandpa was a lumberjack back in NewYork state back in the days. I never had the chance to meet him but listening in what you say and do has triggered and interest that I cant explain. I like that you have shared what to look for in an axe and how to take care of it. Keep it coming Cody. Also like the bible sharing portions too.

Cody, about 5 years ago I inherited a splitting maul and a chopping ax from my grandpa. Last week while splitting wood, the maul handle cracked. I was able to make a new handle because of your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

I love stuff like this and the references to the old timers and how they did things. This is right up my alley

Id just like to thank you Cody, for your videos and your passion for life. It's a great inspiration to young men like my self, to see the way life is supposed to be lived in the midst of my technology obsessed generation. Keep up the good work, and may the Lord continue to bless you and your family.

A tool like that would come in very handy when my 2 sons Michael 12 and carter 10 are restoring old yard sale and antique shop treasures. We like to find old rusty tools re restore them. Thanks for the inspiration with all you do we love your channel.

Your videos have been my primary source for learning. It's a pleasure to watch your videos, learn the techniques you use, then, attempt to apply them myself. Thank you sir for the time you take to make these videos!

We have something kind of like this in the machinist trade, we call it a "fishtail"(actually called a 60 degree center gauge), that we use to check the angle of a cutting tool for UNC(Unified Coarse Thread) thread cutting on a lathe. And although it's an obvious idea now, I never thought to make one for an axe, I can image how much time it saves you. Also, it might be a good idea to make a gauge for your gauge, so to speak. Basically a piece of steel as guide for your saws/knifes so you can make a more uniform edge and allowing you to quickly make new ones when your current one is worn or is damaged. And as always, keep up the good work Cody, your videos are always a joy to watch!

That is a very cool device to keep around. I am in the process of restoring my Grandfathers SEARS hatchet and I was just determining blade pitch last night in the barn. Your channel is excellent. I have never seen anyone as into the life as you are. I have been watching since just before the barrel wood burning stove episode. Enjoy.

I'd love to have it! Bought my 6 yo son his first axe, and he's so excited about it. It warms my heart :)

I have 8 different vintage axes I have bought and need to restore this winter. I would cherish and use such a gig/tool. Thanks for all you do and have a blessed day.

Very generous Cody. I used to run a knife and tool sharpening business on the side until I lost my job and had to move. I am in the process of starting over and this would be a great addition to my tool kit

would love it. I have never sharpened anything like an axe and have wondered how it is done.

What a simple but valuable tool. Thanks for the continued knowledge and wisdom you bring to the table every day, Cody. Its appreciated.

Cody, Very simple but cool tool. I bought my son an axe for his birthday, and this will be a great addition. I'll make him one today. Thank you - really enjoy your channel!

your videos are a necessity please do not stop making them. for the unguided young man that I am I appreciate you! you are a beautiful representation of a father figure!

I would be honored to have something that you built Mr. Cody especially anything involving axes. I was quite surprised when I saw this video because this tool is so similar to something that I made to help file the correct bevel on a knife I was making. I would use this to properly file an antique hatchet which had been my grandfather's. Soon after he gave it to me I broke the handle (by using it as a tomahawk). After after trying to make a new one with out success I found your video and it helped immensely. Thank you so much for your informational and Godly content.

Great video, I think that would be a wonderful tool for a project that I have started. I am doing my first reconditioning of an axe. I found a Norlund cabin ax pushed in the back of an old shed.

I would love to own this little jig. I live in Newfoundland, Canada, and grew up in the woods. I have a few axes, and always trying to add more. I am currently bidding on a Welland Vale hatchett (Made in Canada, pre-1950), and another Wetterlings hatchet. I suspect both will need to be re-profiled along with some restoration! I'll definitely be re-watching your different axe videos to help me with restoration! Thanks for the great content, Sir.

While I've been using tools for four decades, as I get older, I find that simple tools like this are especially useful! While I only have a handful of axes and hatchets, this would come in quite handy!

Good and easy to follow instructions. Great little project for a rainy day.

I'm restoring my first axe now and this would be a great help! Keep up the great work!

I'd love to have this. I'm just starting to get into axes and such, but have been watching your channel forever. This would make it a ton easier to start and learn the craft.

Found your channel the other day. Great information. I'm going to work on building your log splitting rig before I start splitting this year. I'm sure this sharpening jig would come in handy too. Thanks so much.

Great work again Cody, just bought a Gransfors bruks small forest axe to take with me camping. I'll definitely use this to make sure it's done properly. Sean

That is a great little tool. I would love to have one for our property up in Mendocino in northern California. My younger brother has taken on the roll of of handling and taking care of all our tools up there. From my Grandfathers to our newer tools. We have a large assortment of axes and mauls that we use for our families firewood and tree maintenance on our land. It was just my brothers 40th birthday last week and I got him a set of pickeroons for a present after seeing you in action and how they aided your fire wood jobs. Your inventive tool would be a great addition for an added gift for his birthday and a way to make sure our axes are in proper condition. Thanks.

I think that this template thing is such a great idea because I suck at sharpening axes. Something like this would help me greatly and even if i don't win it I think I need to make one for myself. Thank you for passing on your skills through youtube. I enjoy learning from them so much. There are not many people doing what you do and passing on old knolage to tones of people so keep up the good work.

What a neat idea!! The wife and I like to go Antiquing, which really means we look up estate sales to see if we can find a few hidden treasures here and there. I am keeping my eye out for a cool axe head that I can refurbish and keep with me for camping trips, I will be emulating this jig as an aid!

As always Cody, a great video. The axe sharpening jig would be great help for restoration of the old axes that I collect and bring back to life.

Loved it. Thanks. Just got a gransford bruks hatchet and am waiting for the small Forest axe. Can't wait.

First , thanks for all the great content! I had to sharpen my chain saw chain the other day, and find your videos very helpful. I picked up an rusty ax head the other day at a garage sale for two bucks, so hope to work on that project over the winter, to include a new handle. Maybe Ill be the lucky subscriber to get the angle guide to put with my axe. Have a great weekend, and keep the videos coming.

That is a great tip Cody. Nice job. Douglas

Great idea Cody. I will definitely need to make one of these. Love the ingenuity.

I've been looking for an efficient way to sharpen my axe. Good instruction video!

I love the simplicity and mobility. Great gauge to have in the carry bag.

I'm leaving a comment! I just recently re-handled my camp axe after a trip to Algonquin Park and this would be excellent. Love the vids, keep them coming!

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!!! You have actually influenced me into refurbishing old tools & axes as a hobby. I now really enjoy using the vintage tools to complete my projects Thanks.

A great idea! Once again I find myself out in the work shop after one of your videos. My wife & daughter are happy to see a quick & easy one. They send A big "THANKS". Please do not pick me for the win, I have made two for myself already. Just wanted to thank you for some great how to's & great idea's

Very cool ,Cody, thanks for sharing it with us!

Burning in those angle measurements really takes it to the next level. Great video like always!

Cool video! Nice to have that angle jig hanging on the wall next to your sharpening supplies. Kinda like Paul Sellers dovetail jig which I seen in the background on one of your videos. Since watching your videos I've watched out for axes, especially within my family. I restored and hung my fathers hatchet from his childhood, with quite a surprise, under all the rust and patina was a stamping of Made in Sweden! I also got an axe from my grandfather on the same side, and hung it using your videos for a guide. I really like how you do it, something to take pride/confidence in.

that would come in really handy for gettin the right edge on my grand dads hatchet im refurbishing, would really like this. thanks for the chance and love the videos.

hello my name is Benny, I have recently gotten into doing old axe's. My dad use to do it and has passed and I want to keep it going but he wasn't one to show you how to do stuff so I just wanted to say that this is a great invention and I really enjoyed watching your show on how to make this, and would like a chance to receive one.

As a long time subscriber and fellow paramedic/homesteader, I would absolutely love to have a tool made by you. However if I do not win, best wishes to everyone else that would like it as well, and thank you for all the wonderful videos you have made ....

Simple yet elegant! This would be a great tool for me and my son to use to sharpen our axes and hatchets. It's hard to get the angle just right, but this jig would be perfect!

nice video wranglerstar I just finished making my own, I couldn't wait to make one after seeing this. Great idea thanks.

I love sharpening videos, it was your first "how to sharpen an axe" video that made me subscribe to your channel!!! IF....you happened to pick me I would use it to sharpen my granddad's double bit felling axe and my bushcrafters hatchet. Both of which I already keep razor sharp by eye/feel, and I love making things myself so maybe I am not the most appropriate recipient, but it would certainly be loved, cherished and shared forever.

This is a really neat trick ! Definately going to build one and use it for both my splitting maul and felling axe. Keep up the good videos Cody.

I have a wetterlings small forest axe ( bought on your recommendation) and some various mauls, pulaskis and other axes your jig would work great on. Thanks Wranglerstar for all your videos!

i'm 18 and i'm from italy. I work for the forestry service and i think that this is a cool jig! I will use it to sharpen my grandfather old axe.

Thankyou so much for the video's your family are awesome, i love how you all work together

Hey Cody, I've got an axe to grind! My Grandfather in-law recently moved to a retirement community and was giving away his old tools. Digging through the pile, and near the back I spotted a small axe. After some research on the maker's mark, it looks to be a Boy's Axe made by Plumb from around the 50's. Its in pretty good shape but needs a bit of love. I've never restored an axe before, so a genuine Wranglerstar gauge would sure be handy!

I just started out sharping axes and cross cut saws because I found this channel I am working on a American felling axe now I am restoring it

Hi, The first video of yours that I ever watched was on how to sharpen an axe. Since then, I've gotten a Gransfors Bruks small forest axe on your recommendation. Need to sharpen all my axes and mauls again. Thanks.

Everybody: I want fish. Wranglerstar: I won't give you fish, I will show you how to make a fishing rod

Hey Cody id love to have that axe sharpening guide! I have just bought my property to start my homestead and i am in the process of collecting the tools i will need. I love all your videos I have learned so much!

Awesome video. I have been trying to find something like that so I could give my refurbished Plumb hatchet the proper grind! Even if I don't win it I will definitely try to make one! Thanks again for the video!

I've been working on 3 axes and a splitting maul for the past few weeks now; that would come in real handy. Now I know what I'll be working on Monday.

Great idea! So simple but so useful. I've been reading about making jigs to get the perfect angle but this allows for a much simpler way with just a couple of files.

I have a Norlund camping axe and a WWII Plumb soldier's axe that could use a good sharpening. This jig would be nice. Thanks for sharing this video with all of us newbies!

Cool idea. That's a handy shop tool for sure, always seem to be fumbling around getting a good edge on my ax and splitting ax.

Cody, your skills never cease to amaze me. Good job friend!

Lots of great information! I've learned much about how to care for my tools.

Great video that looks like a really usefull peace of kit for sharpening axes correctly it would be usefull for my old English elwell splitting axe and my husqvarna hatchet.

Nice idea for that. I got a few old axe heads been laying around that Ive been meaning to get to. I would love to give that little jig a try

I just started messing with axes, I find it really fun. I like that guide.

Hi Cody,Great video! I have always struggled when sharpening my axes or hatchets. This tool would be great to use due to I never knew what angels to sharpened to. I use stihl axes, hatches, and splitting mauls. I like the quality of their tools. I would love to have this for years to come. Thanks again!

I learn so much watching your videos! Thank you!