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Step 1
Purchase a Reaper's File. You can also use a grind wheel to sharpen the pick axe, but a Reaper's File is inexpensive and simple to use. Reaper Files are double-cut on one side for quicker sharpening, while the opposite side has a single-cut to give you more precise sharpening capabilities.
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Step 2
Place the pick axe with the blade you're going to work on pointing up. Either sit and hold it between your feet or simply plant the other end of the blade into the ground.
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Step 3
Use the coarser double-cut side of the file on the outer edge of the blade to sharpen. Once you have that where you want it, turn the file over and use the single-cut side on the inner edge of the blade. Hold the file parallel and flat to take away any burrs or nics.
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Step 4
Go back and file the blade's outer edge again with the mild single-cut side of the Reaper's File to finish it into a nice sharp edge. Turn the pick axe over and sharpen the opposite blade in the same manner.
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Step 5
Clean any soil from the blades every time you use it. Also wipe any dirt off of the handle and examine the wedge. Tap it back into place when it seems loose. Oil the handle with a penetrating wood oil like Danish oil and use a good winter oil on the blades to keep them it from rusting.
