Can we make this old Axe SHAVE? Axe Sharpening 101

When it comes right down to it, knowing how to sharpen a cutting tool, whether it be a knife, axe, or pair of scissors, is all about the same. In this video I'll show you how to sharpen an axe to both a rough working edge suitable for chopping and a razor edge that will slice with the best of them. This old rusty double bitted axe has been kicked around and neglected for decades. After refitting it with a new handle, it's time to bring that edge back to life. Since the edge is chipped and pitted, I'll start with a coarse mill fill to clean the edge up and form a burr. Moving to a finer file to remove the burr is all that's needed for a felling axe but just to keep things interesting I wanted to see if I could hone the blade fine enough to slice through paper. I used my Work Sharp Field Sharpener to sharpen the axe to a razor edge and, although it wouldn't slice as well as a kitchen knife, it made some impressive cuts for such a big chopping blade.
Work Sharp Field Sharpener - amzn.to/3TQ0YRL
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. We're uploading a new video each week that features one of the following topics: archery, bow hunting, bow building, survival skills, bushcraft, self reliance, primitive skills, primitive bows, hunting, camping, fishing, and a lot more!
GEAR I USE:
Backpacks - kifaru.net/CLAYHAYES
Archery Gear - www.3riversarchery.com/
Tents & Tarps - seekoutside.com (enter clayhayes5 at checkout for 5% off!)
Optics - www.vortexoptics.com
Clothing - www.firstlite.com/
Camera Gear - amzn.to/47HZFrz
Essential Backcountry Gear - amzn.to/3u6H0If
Surviving Alone by Clay Hayes - amzn.to/3Qqou3l
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: www.twistedstave.com/
Facebook: / clayhayeshunter
Instagram: / clayhayeshunter
Patreon: / clayhayes

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

Thanks for sharing this. So many people don't know how to take care of or restore their tools.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Very true!

[@nolehopkins1077]

Alot of people don't even know how to use tools, let alone maintain them.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

@@nolehopkins1077 That's true too.

[@thecamocowboyoutdoors5693]

Well done Clay! Nice edge for sure.

[@eddiec4058]

Enjoyed it. Reminded me of when Dad was giving me a lesson on splitting firewood, explaining on a double bit axe one side was for cutting and the other for splitting. He also told me how his Grandfather was adamant about a sharp axe. That was about 50 yrs ago.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Very cool!

[@shadowcastre]

eddiec4058... Agreed... the splitting side should have a slightly different profile.

[@3passa]

Only a craftsman knows how good it feels to take the burr off after filing! The worksharp sharpener has made sharpening sweet for me after you recommended it some time last year. Brilliant tool! And a nice demo, thanks for that!

[@denniscleveland669]

There’s two ways that I use, to help maintain the same bevel. One is a marker/sharpie. If you coat the area that you’re going to sharpen, you can see from the first sharpening stroke, what the angle is. The second, more subtle way, is to slightly change the direction/angle of the stroke.

[@ptrainingbytim]

Love vids like this. There’s something very therapeutic about sharpening classic tools like this. Blessings from northern california.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you like them!

[@ohioflyer_12]

My only recommendation is to look at the profile of your DBL bit axe before sharpening. There are 2 different profiles per side. One side has a nice "V" shaped wedge perfect for breaking through the outer layer of a tree where dirt and sand lay in the bark. this should be your rough sharpening to withstand the dulling and abuse. The other side has a bit more of a concave profile which when really sharpened down cuts right through a green tree after the outer layer has been removed. Another nice little tip, the USFS has (somewhere I don't have a link) a sharpening profile gauge and a go/ no-go gauge for all their tools including the DBL bit axe.

[@duanebeard338]

You need a file card to clean your file every now and then. A wire brush works also

[@alhart6126]

Yes! Files go only one way strokes!

[@frugalsq]

Please see " An Axe to Grind ". The Vid is over ten years old. It shows an old man, who is probably long gone hanging an axe and sharpening at a US Forestry station some where in north west. You are on the right track. Good work.

[@paulharding1621]

Interesting video Clay, I have a hatchet that was abused by me some years ago and had a very messed up blade. I have cleaned it up and made a simple leather cover for it and now use it as my camp hatchet.

[@kstogie]

"My wife is a professional knife duller." I have one of those at home, too.

[@clayhayeshunter]

😜

[@kellybrooks9899]

Im married to one of those as well. What the heck do they chop on? Took me about 35 years to stop her from breaking the knife tips off

[@ASimao71]

+1 Here

[@ddoherty5956]

​@@ASimao71don't complain, it means she's cooking for you 😉

[@ASimao71]

@@ddoherty5956 you are so right! 😄😄 Never thought it that way... 👍👍

[@MichaelMoody-fx5ey]

Enjoy watching someone doing practical work on working everyday tools that you will need to complete tasks around the house, farm or in the woods.Takes me back to when I was a boy learning from my Grandfather

[@notnaive120]

Best axe sharpening vid thanks Clay. I was done at 7 minutes…….sharper than I’ve ever got mine lol

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@rochan3497]

Im liking all your videos

[@timtim3070]

Хорошая работа, отличный топор для валки. Старый конь борозды не испортит!

[@williamgoodwin9667]

Got a file I love it nothing better than spending some time on an old axe. She has seen a bit really when you think about it life of freeze in most cases. ❤❤❤

[@cw5365]

Clay, you should try the Ken Onion sharpener and the blade attatchment. It sharpens very well. Worth a look.

[@bradleythompson5962]

"Somebody may have hit a piece of concrete" sounds like inside knowledge to me 😅😅

[@rodsouthern2690]

Bloody legend mate. Been watching your videos for a while now. West Australian fan 🇦🇺

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 🙏

[@seaniepryor]

hey from nova scotia Clay..........love my axes, purchased and cleaned up antique hewing axe this past winter............great content bother

[@clayhayeshunter]

Right on!

[@9957nite]

Yes actual axe sharpening video one side for splitting other for chopping i dont know about the shaving sharp thing though :) ive literally never shaved with an axe :) ive been bald for awhile couldn't tell you how many people have asked if i use a straight razor always tell them you go find one and try that tell me how it works out for you :) i tried on my face with grandpas once didnt try that again :) my mom said when they we're kids and daddy shaved they all had to go outside or not move or make a sound anywhere in the house during the process 😂

[@scrappydog175]

Quality, thanks Clay.

[@satchsh]

Great job, Clay!

[@michaelh.weiser6502]

Professionell knife duller😂😂😂 I know what you mean Thanx for sharing and happy easterdays🖖🙋‍♂️

[@justincrow9113]

Thanks brother! Hoping for some new bow building videos soon. I’m currently building my first self bow. It’s out of Osage harvested right here in eastern Oklahoma

[@clayhayeshunter]

Best of luck!

[@user-jq3lw2zm3r]

Thanks for sharing good rainy day project

[@samivey8416]

I've gotten mine to shave and it really helps with splitting and general cutting work. And the best part is it reduces the time you have to do any work. Saves your hands and elbows

[@hankremer6606]

Thank you Clay! I have an old axe kicking around and was contemplating brining it to someone to sharpen. I think I can get an edge on it now using your basic techniques.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just keep that bevel consistent

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

I love that Worksharp sharpener. About all you need.

[@Loem28]

Great video. Reminds me of working with my Papaw. He always left one edge of his axe rough for cutting wire and other rough things.

[@timetohunt1]

Thanks for sharing

[@Vodolaga_Nova]

Useful tip: you can take a small towel, roll few times and place it on top of your axe, then take your mile file place it on towel, and move it from left to right, then roll your towel off just a bit, and do the same thing. Do it until you have your towel unrolled,

[@karlkemble2273]

Try draw filing. Faster stock removal and great for tool sharpening. Especially mower blades, sythe, axe, garden hoe, etc

[@Dirk_Mcgurk]

i enjoy your videos quite a bit

[@C-24-Brandan]

Awesome video, really enjoyed it! That axe came out super well. Would be cool to see you forge your own style/look axe head & see how it holds up and chops/cuts compared to that one or a new one bought at a store! Forging your own arrow/broad heads would be a super cool video as well, different sizes etc for diff game big & small!

[@A-A-RON918]

I bet there’s 8 different axes or hatchets at my mother’s house left behind by my late stepfather and most look like that one started. Now I’m gonna have to get after them. Thanks

[@alanjohnson1204]

Totally recommend the field sharpener. Also, the diamond surfaces can be replaced. They are held on with magnets and usage instructions are underneath one of them. On another note, IF it can be sharpened with a file it’s usually a waste of time to put a razor edge on it. The steel isn’t hard enough to retain the edge for any reasonable amount of time so, unless it’s just simply necessary to have it that sharp don’t worry about it. Clay did a different video a year or so back where he refined the edge of an ax with wet mud worked into the surface of a chopping block or a stump. That is a much better alternative, I believe.

[@williamgoodwin9667]

Nice sounding chunk of steel buy the way. ❤ file won’t last long at al on that.

[@Natures909]

I just subbed to you but you seem really cool nature is the best

[@ivandejanovic4963]

Hi Clay, Thanks a lot for the video. You mentioned that a sharp blade can cut paper when proper technique is used. At 13:10 you seems to not cut properly. Could you please explain at some point what is proper technique? I used a "nail test" and "marker test" on my blades and for the sharp ones I still have trouble when doing "paper test". I am no expert and sharpening and would like to improve my skills. Thanks a lot and keep up with awesome work.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

I was always under the impression that double bit axes were for felling trees not splitting, but to each their own.

[@multiversevariant4944]

Awesome stuff, I just have a question: is it possible to make a good shooting hickory takedown now?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep

[@TFord-il5pu]

Thank you, Clay. One question, though; at what approximate angle should the axe be sharpened?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ve always just tried to match the existing bevel as best I could. Not sure what that is though. Maybe 25 degrees.

[@TFord-il5pu]

@@clayhayeshunter Thank you, Clay; that gives me a good target to start with.

[@RyukiTheDragonSlayer]

With the burrs you showed on the axe, when I make my wooden swords and give them and edge I face the same thing and watch for it

[@clayhayeshunter]

😎

[@RyukiTheDragonSlayer]

You can see how Clay went from normal speed to flash speed, and that is Totally accurate to how fast he can move, And I do the same thing with Woodcarving

[@jons5898]

Whenever I sharpen our kitchen knives I leave the Kevlar butchers glove on the counter to remind my professional knife duller to be careful or just use the glove 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nicholastormey5946]

does this work with knives too??

[@clayhayeshunter]

If you’re referring to raising a burr, then yes absolutely.

[@Harmons1981icloud]

Much❤

[@jamesgunter9100]

Is that a new handle on the axe too?

[@clayhayeshunter]

It is

[@guadalupeskitchen3734]

I would stop at the 6 minute mark also. I sharpen my machete the same way.

[@CoastalGardening]

👍👍

[@realtruth4259]

DOES IT NEED TO BE HARDENED AGAIN

[@Justin-qk8qq]

No, never try to reharden it. That will just make it brittle and prone to cracks/breaking.

[@johnduffy6546]

Might I suggest some leather gloves?..Not such a big deal if you are sharpening away from the edge

[@DeadJDona]

0:50 milfile without handle ofc

[@danielhess39]

👍🏼

[@bobwallace9364]

Important note. When discussing sharpening an old axe, make sure your wife knows beforehand, that you aren’t talking about her.

[@ozz530]

Safety pin hook fishing video please

[@Valorant566]

Пазор?

[@davidlee4576]

Draw knife sharpening 101 next please.

[@karlkemble2273]

A technique called draw filing. He should have done it on the axe

[@bigKANG420]

Now that AXE is SHARP. I bet it CAN cut WOOD.

[@paulstokes1831]

This is what they determined the quality of the metal, metal that creates a wire edge while sharpening, is low grade carbon steel

[@denniscleveland669]

Whenever I sharpen a tool that has a nick in it, I never remove the nick. Why? Because if I leave it, it’s a constant reminder to the user, of what can happen! It will eventually be removed, but in the meantime, the rest of the metal is still being used to its maximum potential.

[@paulstokes1831]

My grandfather called it, a wire edge

[@karlkemble2273]

That's right

[@Ouachita.Mule.School]

I was expecting big ole BASTARD FILE lol

[@user-er2xi3jt7s]

Бля, чувак это же колун! Он не должен быть всех острым, смысл колуна колоть!!!

[@keithhart3689]

When I was a freshman in college at Penn State in Forestry 101 we had to learn how to sharpen a Michigan axe to where it would shave hair, if you could not you failed, we all did, then we cut down trees with an axe and 2 man crosscut saw, learned to operate a bulldozer, log skidder, and build bridges by hand , in 1969 the Foresters Handbook cost $87 dollars in the book store KJH BS Forestry PSU, MS Forest Resource Management WVU 1973, BAS Petroleum Engineering Technology Southern Alberta Tech 1983, MS Geology U. of Stockholm 1988

[@vernbower]

I shaved a fella with my hatchet about 40 years ago. I coulda used my axe, but we were in a camper and space was limited. We had a bet and was drinking. I won $15. A file and a stone is how I did mine.

[@zombielandakausa7468]

trick I do, for really uneven edge, is take you file 90 degrees against the edge of the blade, form your edge, then file to sharpen. really bad edges it will save time