This is my favorite thread on the internet.
Do I need to buy an axe now?
- Thread starter alex1921
- Start date
There is some interesting froe work in that vid also. I can never seem to pull off what they are doing, I just get a run out but they are working with a shorter log.
The term "hack" an insult usually leveled at a carpenter came from tie hacks. It's a down and dirty form of hewing and these guys were paid by the tie that had a liberal demission specification. No string lines here just eyeballed and a witness mark on the axe handle.
Ah good old DB
To be honest I haven't tried this stone on an axe yet, but I like it really well for my small carbon steel pocketknives.
It's a Pike Lisbon Chocolate axe stone with a not very good label.
It's a Pike Lisbon Chocolate axe stone with a not very good label.
You don't have an axe ?
a turkey stone for an axe stone? does it take a long while to grind out a chip?
I think the real question here is, did Alex ever get a proper axe?
Does any man need an excuse to buy an axe? In life, you will encounter things that need to be chopped.
Like do-gooder hotel chefs who fly in because they think things at a Colorado luxury hotel might be going a little crazy.
Like do-gooder hotel chefs who fly in because they think things at a Colorado luxury hotel might be going a little crazy.
- Thread starter
- #51
I have to admit, not yet.
If it is chipped I'd use a coarse India (or a file). The Turkey is to touch up and sharpen until it shaves arm hair.
oh I see, do you buy any chance know any natural stones that can be used for repairing chips?
A fast vintage Washita might do it, with pressure. Depends on the size of the chip. People used natural stone on axes long before the invention of synthetic stones.
Back in the day, if you got a big chip, you would take the axe to the blacksmith to remove on his big rotary sandstone wheel.
Last edited:
Sandstone grinders were pretty common at one time and the mining of Berea Sandstone for grinding wheels was big business.
Pretty sure they could be found on most homesteads and farms.
Somewhere out there on the net is an old vid of a logging camp with two guys sharpening axes for the logging crew, one guy cranking the handle while the other one held the axe to the grindstone using an oscillating motion, very skilled.
The sandstone works much finer than some would think. If I had a chipped axe I would go to a file rather than say a treadle grinder. Perhaps if the sandstone wheel wasn't powered manually, it would be faster. It's been on my to do list for a number of yaers as I have one that has been rigged up to an electric motor. I have no idea if it runs and it has been setting outside. It needs a new belt and rewired.
It's in the background of this treadle grinder.
Pretty sure they could be found on most homesteads and farms.
Somewhere out there on the net is an old vid of a logging camp with two guys sharpening axes for the logging crew, one guy cranking the handle while the other one held the axe to the grindstone using an oscillating motion, very skilled.
The sandstone works much finer than some would think. If I had a chipped axe I would go to a file rather than say a treadle grinder. Perhaps if the sandstone wheel wasn't powered manually, it would be faster. It's been on my to do list for a number of yaers as I have one that has been rigged up to an electric motor. I have no idea if it runs and it has been setting outside. It needs a new belt and rewired.
It's in the background of this treadle grinder.
Indeed you must have at least one axe at home. You can end up down the proverbial GAS rabbit hole or is it AAS 
rabbit hole in this case. Vintage axe of some pedigree, taking the time to reset the edge, sharpen, polish (perhaps) and re-haft is a rather enjoyable process.
I just scored an octagon shaped haft (I don't have the time or tools to carve my own.) That said, completing the finish (sand and oil with flaxseed) and shaping the eye has been fun. Learned a lot and will more than likely score a second one so I can it "right".
No affiliation. Purchased the handle here: Welcome to House Handle Company - https://www.househandle.com/products.html
Old school site, I ended up calling them to place the order. Very nice folks, good price.
When I was researching and looking to purchase an axe, learn about its use and potentially carving/finishing my own haft, I found this gent on YT. Really like(d) his pretty straightforward, no frills, frugal approach. He also has some good instruction regarding use:
SkillCult - https://www.youtube.com/@SkillCult/videos
rabbit hole in this case. Vintage axe of some pedigree, taking the time to reset the edge, sharpen, polish (perhaps) and re-haft is a rather enjoyable process.I just scored an octagon shaped haft (I don't have the time or tools to carve my own.) That said, completing the finish (sand and oil with flaxseed) and shaping the eye has been fun. Learned a lot and will more than likely score a second one so I can it "right".
No affiliation. Purchased the handle here: Welcome to House Handle Company - https://www.househandle.com/products.html
Old school site, I ended up calling them to place the order. Very nice folks, good price.
When I was researching and looking to purchase an axe, learn about its use and potentially carving/finishing my own haft, I found this gent on YT. Really like(d) his pretty straightforward, no frills, frugal approach. He also has some good instruction regarding use:
SkillCult - https://www.youtube.com/@SkillCult/videos
Last edited:
