Easy Ways to Sharpen a Hatchet

Pedal Grindstone

• An old style grindstone run by a foot pedal is a traditional sharpening method preferred for hatchets. An electric powered grinder or sharpening stone is too fast and hot, and will pull the temper from a blade making it soft. If you have access to a pedal grindstone, or a sharpening shop that uses one, this method puts a good edge on a hatchet, removes burrs, nicks, rust and pits without over-sharpening or thinning the blade. Hold the hatchet blade against the stone with the blade up and lying flat as the wheel rotates against it. The grindstone should rotate toward you and against the blade, and be kept wet during grinding. Always grind one edge, and then the opposite side. Don't make a concave or dipped edge, keep it rounded outward, and don't over sharpen the blade, a hatchet should not have a finely honed edge.

Hand File

• Clamping the hatchet to a bench, or holding it clenched tightly between your knees and using a hand file along the blade is a tried and true sharpening method. Wear leather gloves to protect your hands. Move the file against the blade, sliding it from top to bottom in a forward to back motion. Do one side at a time, sharpening slowly and firmly. After a couple of minutes move to the other side. Don't angle the file too much, a too sharp hatchet blade dulls quickly. Spray the blade with WD-40 or coat it with oil when finished to keep it lubricated and rust free.

Axe Stones

• Axe stones are specially designed round stones for sharpening blades on hatchets and axes by hand. Use a thin oil to float the stone over the blade. Work in a circular motion, sharpening toward the center of the blade from the ends. As with all methods, work until you feel a slight burr on the opposite side of the blade from the one you are sharpening, then move to that side, and hone off the burr. Wear leather gloves, keep the edge of the hatchet rounded, not concave and don't over sharpen.

Belt Sander

• Slack belt sanding is a method of hatchet or axe sharpening using a belt sander to hone the edge. A slack belt sander is a tool used in blade making shops, but a belt sander can be adapted with a special block to work in the same manner. The blade is held against the sanding belt much the same as when using a pedal grindstone, sharpening first one side, and then the other. Always wear leather protective gloves when sharpening, and coat the blade with WD-40 or lubricating oil when done.