How to Sharpen a Felling Axe
According to the Scout Association in London, England, the felling axe is a large tool designed to cut down upright and living trees. The design is what sets a felling axe apart from other types of axe; a thinner blade and longer handle make the axe ideal for precision control and striking power. These axes can be used by outdoorsmen, campers and scouts alike to clear paths or campsites of dangerous trees and branches. Like many tools, in order to perform its best the felling axe needs to be properly cared for and sharpened.
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Instructions
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Support the blade of the axe on a work table or other flat surface, away from your body. Consider clamping the axe into place so that you can use both hands to sharpen; this will give you better control and help to avoid injury.
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File the edges of the axe with a metal file, always moving with the contours of the metal. For regular maintenance, many axes will only need filing.
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Sharpen the axe with a sharpening stone. Sharpening stones are round, and come in varieties of coarseness, just like sandpaper. Use a coarse sharpening stone to start.
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Work gradually through the coarseness levels of the sharpening stones until your axe blade is smooth and comes to a sharp point. Wipe away any dust or debris with a clean cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have trouble keeping the file or stone moving on the axe's surface, or you don't think the axe is being sharpened enough, lubricate the sharpening tool with a little bit of oil (WD-40 works just fine) for better sliding on the surface.
Felling axes can be extremely sharp, heavy and dangerous tools. Do not handle or use a felling axe unless you are proficient with the tool.
