How To Sharpen an Axe by Wranglerstar

Many of our videos are comedic & satirical & not intended to cultivate antisocial or unlawful behavior. Thank you for supporting our Channel through the below affiliate links. No price increase for you but we may receive compensation.
-Amazon - our store - wranglermart.com
-Jk Boots - www.jkboots.com/wranglerstar
-Radios Made Easy - radiomadeeasy.com/product/wra...
-Amsoil - www.amsoil.com/c/products/1/?...
-GoDark Bags - godarkbags.com/#cody411
-Premier Body Armor - www.premierbodyarmor.com/wranglerstar
-Vertx - shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=228804...
-My Patriot Supply - www.preparewithwranglerstar.com
-Eden Grow Systems - edengrowsystems.com/wranglerstar
Become A Wranglerstar Member For Exclusive Content and Perks
/ @wranglerstar
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/2btWfQR and turn on notifications to get them
#Proho #wranglerstar

[@johnschofield3418]

just one comment if you stop touching the work area of the file you won't need to use the file card as much it's the oil from your fingertips that allows the small filings to stick to the file Also if you put talcum powder on the file before brushing the debris out it will also clean away any oil at the same time Just some thoughts from an old tool maker in the cutlery Sheffield England

[@1fanger]

My dad used to carry a stone with him in his pocket. It was a natural sandstone he found in a brook.

[@fuchsteufelswild463]

"Get a good american one" Me: "laughs in german"

[@spacecat86]

this was the first video of Wrangerstar's i ever watched, it's what made me subscribe to his channel. oh nostalgia.

[@ezwages]

my grandfather retired from Nickelson file company nearly 40 years ago. he was a file cutter.

[@dpenland2112]

Smell that? You smell that? WD-40, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of WD-40 in the morning. You know, one time we had an axe filed, for hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' nick in the bit. The smell, you know that oily smell, the whole shop, smelled like [sniffing, pondering] rust free. Someday this war's gonna end...

[@chimpus__1542]

Nice reference m8

[@PUPPYBONZ]

Spray wd40 in a pond and watch the fish.

[@MrConradF]

Awesome series of Ax videos! I don't currently own a decent ax, but now, with your helpful information, I know what to look for, and how to recondition and care for them. Thank you, Sir!

[@USNERDOC]

Well done! This is a vital skill for anyone that wants to be self-sufficient in an off grid or emergency setting.

[@mikelovestosail]

I have really enjoyed your series on timber framing, and your building a tree house. Thank you for your willingness to demonstrate and explain basic process's clearly.

[@NickWeissMusic]

Best video on the subject I've ever seen, thank you!

[@gilbertoesquivel9668]

Really enjoyed the lesson. I feel confident to give this a try now myself. Thank you.

[@ALG1304]

Thanks for this video. Its nice to see how others do things. I'll be looking for a round sharpening stone this afternoon!

[@griffin632710]

Thanks Wanglerstar great videos . just a sugestion here , this is for everyone with a file without a handle on it , I find that If I get a gulf ball drill a small hole in it about halfway threw it and gently drive your file into it works great for a file handle . Its then better getting gouged by the end of the file Try It Out ! Im 50 and my father gave me that advice . Thanks Again !

[@jimtaylor248]

Excellent. I already knew a lot of this, but you are an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@bulletprooth]

Went to the local bunnings but couldn't find a Jon Snow file.

[@therobbonator]

Hahahaha 😂

[@2010tck93]

Thanks for the video's. I recently moved to a rural area and love learning how not to rely on friends to fix or help with things. I appreciate the effort. T.Bone

[@outdoortwinz2426]

England made vises ftw! I want my view back.

[@jimboholcomb1]

Nice, thank you for taking the time to teach me this skill.

[@sleepingbear7182]

Good video. Same procedure that my Dad taught me 50 years ago. I still have my Norton round India stone for final sharpening.

[@KAISERDJG]

you want a cast iron vice, does not matter what company or country it comes from , dont buy a welded one, buy a full cast iron. an old one will be best.

[@rucksackransack]

Incredibly great instruction, thank you!

[@davidquirk2972]

A couple of points: if you want to stop the file clogging just rub a stick of chalk on it before using, this stops the swarf from clogging the teeth, especially if you're filling non-ferrous materials. Second, if you want a really good quality vice buy a cast steel one. Record (UK manufacturer) makes vices in cast iron and cast steel but the Engineer's vices are always cast steel. The Chinese do make good tools (very high quality, precision tools) but you'd have to pay as much, if not more, than you do for USA made tools. As with everything in life you get what you pay for.

[@MrDjoec1983]

I learn so much from wranglerstar, thanks for putting these videos out its greatly appreciated, and generally but not always, I do agree that american tools are better built than let's say a Chinese made tool, they just don't put the same quality control standards into practice, and for good reason, if you were paid $2 or $3 a day would you care about your job? I generally try to buy american, if for no other reason than to support american jobs and to keep my hard earned dollars circulating in our own economy.

[@meslapin]

don't think of it that way. you can't apply Western standards for income and employment in the east, or any other country. we complain about less than $10/hr here in my state, and there are no jobs less than min wage, but in China the rate they get paid is the prevailing wage for that type of work, and if they don't want to work for $2-3 per day in a factory they will have a hard time earning anywhere near that much in the fields. it's not a lack of pride versus pay, or even pride in ones work but more a deliberate level of quality designed and intended in the outcome by the companies. they have always had the idea that more cheaper is as good as fewer higher quality. even military tools and weapons for their own use fit this concept.

[@meslapin]

don't think of it that way. you can't apply Western standards for income and employment in the east, or any other country. we complain about less than $10/hr here in my state, and there are no jobs less than min wage, but in China the rate they get paid is the prevailing wage for that type of work, and if they don't want to work for $2-3 per day in a factory they will have a hard time earning anywhere near that much in the fields. it's not a lack of pride versus pay, or even pride in ones work but more a deliberate level of quality designed and intended in the outcome by the companies. they have always had the idea that more cheaper is as good as fewer higher quality. even military tools and weapons for their own use fit this concept.

[@shanehardy9898]

Thanks for the video! working on my tools for my first house. It's going to be a cold winter so this will help me keep wood burning in my wood stove! :)

[@HikeordieTV]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it. 3 years on and it's still valuable information that we are all obviously still benefitting from. Thanks mate.

[@was91355]

This was a great and informative video, greatly appreciated.

[@lorus511]

Great video, very informative. But I would just like to ask shouldn't you use oil on your Lasky puck?

[@scyguychris]

It's fun to watch the oldies again

[@backyardsounds]

word to the wise, Bro. Wranglerstar. My last Nicholson said, "Made in Mexico". it's seems to be as good as my US made, and probably still under US management... just telling folks, look close.

[@paulgraham6353]

After looking at your cut finger in the other video, I think you may do well to wear gloves sharpening blades with a stone. We all get tired and lose focus from time to time. That edge you put is sharp as a razor. I cut myself like that on a lawnmower blade. I tried taking it off without gloves or draping a rag over the blade, just to get it done quick. Now I use gloves or at least an old towel. I've also become a fan of using anti-seize on bolts like that.

[@matthewscully3219]

the song is black star by yngwie malmsteen

[@excalibur1812]

Great video. Thanks, man. I play the oboe and make my own reeds, which requires a lot of knife sharpening with surgical grade precision. I'm not used to this rough kind of work. Very great tutorial, though.

[@jamespayne4759]

I like your choice of music on this video.

[@FLYERN03]

Thanks for posting this video. Good stuff!

[@0017Bulldog]

Very helpful!!! Thank you.

[@rockbay79]

Mr. Wranglerstar, where do I find one of those round sharpening stones? Approximate cost, if you don't mind sharing. thank you, good video!

[@wranglerstar]

+rockbay79 wranglermart.com $10

[@rockbay79]

+Wranglerstar Thank you Sir!

[@miranarro6565]

Seemingly available on Amazon!

[@xxSURExxSHOTxx]

Useful information, Thanks.

[@Greyswyndir]

Good tutorial. Thanks.

[@Sbafokkio]

Nice tutorial, thank you.

[@randysuter8302]

Fantastic instructions thanks a lot!

[@dt3510]

I enjoyed your video -but I use 600 grit sand paper to sharpen my axe. I wrap it around a piece of wood then apply even pressure. You have done a great job making this and other videos. Thanks

[@DEXTER941]

Thanks for the advice and know-how, good sensible video

[@uentillie01]

i have a question. when using the stone do you have to keep it going clockwise down the edge and back or can you go counterclockwise back up the clockwise down?

[@Asgard422]

Thank's!

[@1100DOCSAVAGE]

Wow got my axe sharper than I have ever seen! Great Video! Seriously sharp!!!!

[@MrGodofwar666]

in my experience, nothing beats german made tools

[@McNeelyredbelt]

Good job! Quite helpful!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Just a heads-up, I ordered a Nicholson 12" bastard file off amazon and it was stamped Made In Mexico. Looks like good quality though.

[@douglaswilliams6834]

As an addendum, I looked at my old worn out Nicholson file that I've had for years, and it was made in USA. Looks like Nicholson may have moved their manufacturing to Mexico between then and now.

[@AFinch-zr7gx]

NAFTA bill is responsible for a lot of companies moving their operations to Mexico.

[@manwalkingtheearth]

and yet Ross Perot was made to look like an idiot by the "media."

[@droddy2hottie]

Yeah, they actually moved no too long after he made this video, ironically.

[@MATT-ut4ds]

mine was made in brazil!wtf?

[@matp9389]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@joke123joke7]

this is really helpful for me thanks

[@CYOTsNiper]

Do you use any oil on the stone or soak the stone in mineral oil when you first get the stone at all?

[@sevensurvival]

Thanks for the good info

[@Harrzack]

Great info - but I'd suggest you put your promo and 'what I'm going to do' (first 5 mins) in a separate video. Many KZbinrs have these long lead-ins and it NOT what the initial title is about, and adds extra time to wade thru. I would suggest having a link to your 'overview' and 'plans' and give it a quick mention at the start - then - get on with the subject at hand... i.e. "Git 'er Done" Also made great use of your 'how to hang an axe head' vid - great stuff! THANKS!

[@elementalsigil]

These videos are well made. I don't know why they came up in my feed but I just can't seem to stop watching them. I'm not even a woodsman or other nature enthusiast. I do keep my mental tool box open however and I hope I remember these things when the shit gets real.

[@Luciffrit]

The Nickleson files I see in the shops here in Australia are from Brazil.

[@suilekelly]

The ones I see here in new York are made in mexico I have heard the quality of this brand has dropped a lot. but not so horrible to a axe's edge. cause ya can take it to the stones after shaping the edge.

[@suilekelly]

suilekelly though I bought mine last year

[@ninjanerdbjjandfitness9544]

they moved production in 2011. you can still find a few american made files at home depot, you just have to look hard.

[@Luciffrit]

Joe Momma No Home Depot here in Australia. =P So long as the quality is good it doesn't matter to me.

[@harrisonking8156]

Just get one that look's of high quality. Or ask staff at the store you are going to (i am guessing your looking at Bunnings perhaps, the staff there don't know shit unfortunately)

[@doug9418]

Very informative video, ty Sir.

[@terryorourke9632]

Thank-you Great !

[@Ayooooooooooo]

Dear mr. Wranglerstar You have impacted my life big time. your videos are wonderful just as much as you are. you are a nice Christian man who lives "a simple kind of life" and has a caring heart you are very smart plz keep making videos God bless

[@WhirldworksfarmTX]

Chainsaws and hydraulic wood splitters are nice tools to have, but well maintained hand tools can make a job well done worthwhile.

[@carp614]

Great instruction. my Eastman felling axe is an absolute nightmare. I've got some work ahead of me.

[@toddhower8215]

awesome video thanks!

[@lyleinmb464]

Thanks

[@temujinthekhan6233]

Iv'e tried doing this on my estwing hatchet but I just can't seem to get a good edge on it. It cuts paper OK, but definitely not like his. Anyone have any ideas or tips on why I'm having trouble?

[@mysss29]

Yeah, if you're getting OK results, but not great, you probably just haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet. Maybe watch another video or two, but just keep trying and it sounds like you'll get the results you want eventually. Sometimes it does help to hear it explained a different way, but if your axe cuts paper, you're definitely doing something right.

[@anueljackson42]

you may have two different angles, and they are counter acting the other one, that is why you can get them just so sharp, look at the top of the axe and imagine a line running down the center of the head of the axe, it is that or your angle is to obtuse, and needs to be lower a angle, just a suggestion.

[@marclaw4511]

Best vices are English such as the record brand.

[@lucasstevens8633]

Marc Law vices?

[@Ioannes10]

Thanks mate for sharing this video. It's very informative. John (Australia)

[@BruceThomson]

Thanks for doing the video, useful to me. I'll get a decent file next time I'm at the hardware shop, and a file cleaner as you suggest. Bruce Thomson in New Zealand.

[@lionheart3142]

I like it. Thanks

[@ijsaenz]

looks relaxing

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Another great video Cody! One tip for you guys, if you have a wire brush you don't really need a file card IMO. I have a 5 or 6 inch Craftsman and it has worked really well for me also. Hey, I spot a dremel tool lol. Did you repaint that axe yourself? Pretty sharp for sure.

[@futuresonex]

I've sharpened a few axes & hatchets this way over the years, and, while it does work quite well, it also makes me very thankful for modern technology like my Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener. It'll put a perfect convex edge on an ax in no time flat! It won't work without electricity of course, but while the power still works we might as well make the most of it! One thing that I always do when sharpening an ax, hatchet, tomahawk, knife, etc..., regardless of whether I'm using a stone or the Work Sharp, is to finish up with a leather strop. I know that an ax doesn't need to be razor sharp like a knife does, but using a file or a stone, even a very fine stone, will always leave a small burr on the edge. The leather strop removes the burr, and that makes the edge stay sharper for longer.

[@CrowdSurfingGeezer]

I love the ring sound @ 10:40 of the quality steel

[@1st67mustang390]

I got the marbles axe today! Watching this to learn how to sharpen by hand. GOD BLESS you and your family Cody!

[@SuperScottCrawford]

i have a miami vice.

[@MrBladecollector]

Hey cody id like to thank you for teaching me many valuable lessons in life and about tools. You have inspired me to restore many axes and other "antique" tools.

[@Shetasen]

Very imformative.

[@SR3711]

Damn this video is good. Bravo with the instructions and logic behind each bit.

[@tammoilliet8683]

Geez, Cody looks and sounds 30 years younger 8 years ago!!

[@RoyAndrews82]

I was wondering.. I really like hand files, would it be possible to do a video just on hand files? I was looking at them from McMaster-carr, and it seems they have every file available. Nice Video (+1 : 3,488)

[@leeroychang]

What a cracking video, some really nice tips and hints. Thank you for taking the time out to make it. Lee

[@ioccatonyz1]

That was fine instruction for using a file and stone. I use a belt sander 120 grit 4"x36" instead of a file then hone with a stone. I can sharpen many axes and lawn mower blades with one sander belt many more than a file can do. Files are best used camping or away from the shop... or give the axe a few strokes with the file after sanding it. If you are just touching up the edge a file would do fine. The sander works best on a very dull and nicked up axe, never use a grinder they are the worst thing to use to put a keen edge on a blade.

[@xtraw2452]

I found an axe in the uk that cost with the current conversion to dollars costs $7 it's a hatchet about 14" long good grain orientation USA hickory not a great edge or steel but it's a good cheap light fairly sharp hatchet to buy for a beginner

[@icespeckledhens]

Thanks for a well explained video. You keep saying buy American but if you live in the UK, I doubt you would want to pay for the delivery for a vice, nor the import taxes!

[@daz575]

British stuffs probably better anyway,

[@JMKady76]

If you can find an old British made Record vise, they're every bit as good as a Wilton. Shame that the name is getting slapped on low quality chinese made vises now though.

[@JayDoscher]

Why did you paint the handles?

[@leebarker4207]

Great videos would this Lansky puck in your opinion be suitable to sharpen a draw knife thanks.

[@geneschuchard1217]

I've used mine to work on a edge for regular knives . I believe it'd work for draw knives also . Hope this helps

[@evolvedaustin4230]

I never knew of a file card, I learned something today!

[@cabincreek1692]

Thanks Cody. This was a very good video. I learned a lot.

[@darrenk1146]

Wranglestar, very nice video. I've watched several videos on sharpening various tools and I have one question. Does it matter whether you move the file toward or away from the bevel? In other words, if you flipped the axe over in your vice and moved the file toward the bevel, would you get the same result? I do understand that you probably wouldn't do it that way because you couldn't see the edge, but I've seen people sharpen garden hoes both ways. Sometimes they move the file toward the bevel, and sometimes away from it. Just wondering if it there's a correct way and an incorrect way. Thanks.

[@OriginalAstroTard]

Opinion of using a "double" cut file please. Thank you ...

[@calebborg592]

song?

[@SixtyAteOutdoors]

Great video. Did you apply the red paint? If so what is it?

[@TheCanach5]

Excellent video, Few people seem to know that a chopping or cutting axe should be sharpened differently than a splitting axe.

[@TXDomer]

Hi Cody, just a thought. I've seen a lot of people sharpen tools and use a Sharpie to color the edge so you can instantly tell where you've filed and where you still need to work. Keep up the great work.

[@me2u2aswell]

Nice VID! Thanks for taking the time. Merry Christmas!

[@trooper2221]

Let me understand, u recommend 3 files? A fine , a mill, and a course?

[@rafaelkong]

How ever, thanks!

[@Jackle61]

I have a couple of the old sharpeners with the big sharpening wheel that you pedal like a bicycle. One of them has a nick in it that makes it almost unusable. Anyone know a good way to dress this wheel to get it smooth and round again?

[@kurtwolford5801]

Maybe try using really rough sandpaper on it while you spin it, idk might work

[@Jackle61]

Kurt Wolford I tried that but, this wheel is about 18" in diameter and seems to be made of some sort of stone or something similar. I'm going to try taking some hardened steel to it. I was just wondering if anyone else had run into this situation.

[@ubiquidic9823]

Jackle61 try some soaked bricks and grind them on it

[@Jackle61]

William Laidlaww good idea, never thought of that, and I have a pallet of different types of brick. Thanks

[@ubiquidic9823]

since the bricks have a good hardness they might work

[@boonmeerinpol9371]

very nice

[@sguarino7]

I love traditional work

[@johnnschroeder7424]

Used your technique and the old camp axe came out with a seriously sharp edge with only a bit of work! I did drill a small hole in the front of the vice jaw to rest the tip of the file tang into to make fixing the angle firmly and give me repeatability of angle. The technique required me to file off the steeper angle the axe had (for hardwood) and made it more narrow for softwoods like the pine around here. The final edge was 'honed' by using emery paper wrapped around file to give me a flat at the same angle as the file. The work paid off, and I will be using this method from here on out. Thanks for the vid, the technique does an fine job at what used to be a long and boring job.

[@stevehenkel354]

Since this will be my first time, I'm sure I'll be one of the ones that will take an hour the first time.