How to make a sharp axe.

[@SpeedyJoe.]

1. Belt grits used: 36,80,120,220,400,600 2. Grind current edge down. Use flat on the grinder. (Dip in water to cool) DO NOT OVERHEAT!!! 3. Establish the bevels to 25°/ 30 36grt.( Dip in water to cool) DO NOT OVERHEAT!!! Leave about 5/10 thousandth of land. Cut/grind away from point/land ☆be sure it's the same and even on both sides. 4. Move to slack part of belt (still on 36grt) keep moving bevels closer to the point/land. ☆flip around and cut/grind tord point/land ☆be VERY CAREFUL to keep bevels even and the same 5. move to 80grt keep checking reflection of light on bevels to make sure its straight and even. Make sure land is slowly disappearing. Move to 120grt keep checking angles. ☆●Move to 220grt at this point look for burr 6. Once burr has appeared keep as Evan as possible. IF YOU DO NOT PRODUCE A BURR AXE WILL NOT BE SHARP!!! Move through 400 and 600grt 7. Use buffer to pop off burr 8. If a little burr remains use raw side of leather to remove the rest of the burr.

[@timgoodliffe]

@@TimothyDyck its great for those of us with ADHD/ADD.

[@Sassenhaim]

That sir is the way 👍🏻👍🏻

[@leonardofernandes6088]

Thank you so much for the grat lesson ! One more subscriber (de Minas Gerais, Brasil).

[@TimothyDyck]

Thanks Sean for doing this! Feels a little weird to have someone taking notes on my vid! Haha! Hope it helps! Keep the forge lit!

[@davidwhiren817]

Mr. Tim , I have been a whittler & a woodcarver for over 50 years , & what you are calling the burr , we have always called it achieving the wire edge & from that stage you achieve the polished edge which is scalpel / razor sharp & leaves a shiny cut surface on the wood !!! with the grinding belt & the backer platen you get an angled bevel , but when you go to the slack belt area it changes it to a convex bevel , which is very desirable for many cutting chores with a polished edge . another thing is that you can test the polished edge in BASSWOOD aka LINDEN WOOD & if there are any ragged patches on the edge , it will leave linear marks in the soft wood for you to see visually , a nice way to sort of final test the edge to make sure it is homogeneous ...

[@noelwest8234]

David Whiren, thank you for sharing your knowledge and adding to the discussion.

[@flaplaya]

Wise words.. 50 years of sharpening, I'm taking notes.

[@nicholaseedy3244]

Fine video to watch with a hot coffee on a cold Canadian morning.

[@meinemechaniker]

Meine Mechaniker was here 🤚👏

[@lukewarmwater6412]

I remember reading about pioneers injuring themselves badly while chopping wood. I wondered how this was possible every time I used an axe... then I used a properly sharpened axe. holy cow!! if you dont pay attention to what you are doing you can hurt yourself really really bad!! especially if you treat it as if it were dull. I havent had any close calls, but a sharp axe is a tool that demands respect

[@thomasarussellsr]

I'll tell you, I had a blow glance off when splitting one time when I was tired. It glanced off a 18" round and hit me in the lower leg. It went right through my jeans and dug into my leg and took a chip out of my shin bone. I never found that chip of bone, but some super glue closed up that cut in my skin and I quit splitting for the night. Luckily we had more than enough wood to keep the stove going for over a month, but I still got out there the next day after a good night's sleep and kept going on stocking the wood pile. But yeah, accidents happen when you're tired and had a long day at work before coming home to do home chores. Definitely respect what can happen with sharp tools and remember that sharp tools and working tired or being otherwise incapisatated (medicated, drugs/alcohol) are not a safe mix.

[@mitchmazerolle3168]

Finally, a practical use for my U-Line catalog collection.

[@michaelduncan2151]

I've ALWAYS Had a knack for sharpening, knives, to razor sharp, machetes as well....I use the same technique starting with....150 grit...120...220...320...400...600...2000 for a mirror like finish....and a whole lot of elbow grease....!!!! Thanks for sharing this...!!!

[@thomasarussellsr]

So you start with 150 then drop to 120 before starting to climb back up the grits? What is your reasoning for dropping down a grit from your starting grit?

[@flaplaya]

Easily surgical razor sharp. Extremely dangerous and not for the novice or kids. Thanks for sharing this as the grind/polish is as important as every other ingredient.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice video today Tim. Very well explained and every helpful. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge on. Keep making. God bless.

[@docolemnsx]

I do the same roughing out or correcting chips on the blade on the slack of the belt sander as you called it (I only use 120 and 220 grit for minor dent corrections), but then for getting that edge, I use the disc sander with a felt disc and different grit polishing pastes. And yeah, one of my favourite pastimes is moving that burr from one side to the other until it's finally gone and I can shave with that axe (I never shave). Main idea, though, is to get a fat, round bevel instead of a straight one, as I feel this gives the edge more support if it hits something nasty, like the pavement, and I also *think* it helps with splitting.

[@Nothin638]

Oooooh Timmy, I've had my eye on some nice old antique axes at the old antique shop. I'm really going to have some fun now. Thanks for the video!!!!!

[@Awfultyming]

This might be one of the best videos you have made by virtue of how many areas beyond axe making this applies to. Keep up the good work

[@Bojangles6]

Glad to see someone finally found a good use for those uline catalogs.

[@larrylaird3576]

Thanks for sharing your experience with sharping axes, I definitely learned a lot from your video.

[@Sassenhaim]

That is one straight and shiny straight on the belt grinder, can see reflexion on it 😎😎

[@southcoaster7429]

Excellent video Timothy. "Its all about the burr", love that! I took your advise, headed to my shed, sharpened my axes and did the "cut the corner of a book" test. Fantastic! Very satisfying. Thank you. Keep up the great content 🙂

[@tomfarrow710]

Thanks for that information on are sharpening I found it very helpful. Keep up the good work

[@RainyDayForge]

Finally, a good reason to hang onto those ULine books.

[@rustyanvil51]

Another excellent video. Cheers Tim.

[@tracybowling1156]

It was fun learning to sharpen an axe. Thanks Tim. Say hi to Martin for me, k.

[@yoshwazap6747]

haha nice first time seeing you I do really like your video. I am a blacksmith apprentice and building a little workshop myself. looking foreward to learn some from your videos that i might not have seen before in the shop. My master is doing a lot of blacksmithing for balconys and such so didn't get to see much off work on axes making or refurbishing them. keep it up mate you are just great!

[@SnowblindOtter]

You can get a sharper edge, Tim, if you use a tungsten carbide rod to steel the burr off rather than the leather. A little bit of pressure, and the smooth surface of the carbide bar stock will help burnish the very edge to make it a little work-hardened.

[@1pcfred]

Yeah that's why every barber uses a tungsten carbide rod to strop their razor, NOT!

[@SnowblindOtter]

@@1pcfred That's because you don't burnish a razor, you idiot. I'd tell you to carry a potted plant if a bullet weren't a cheaper way to reduce your carbon footprint.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Thanks for providing the instructions in text too. As my buddy said in the 70s, That baby is shop. It is way shop. It is mota cycle shop.

[@TheBeatenPaths]

Great Video!!! I have a small 1x30 belt sander. I go all the way up to 5000 grit then the belt sander leather strop.

[@lordsirio5517]

Indeed you are not saying it... But I am saying you're the best axe sharpener!

[@BCJerbs]

Nice nice! Belt sharpened! Thanks for the schooling Mr.Tim! Cheers, Jerbs 👍🏼🇨🇦🔥🔪🔥🇨🇦👍🏼

[@jju7469]

h yeah, this videos gonna hit a couple million views guaranteed. Thanks Tim

[@mattb6341]

I always enjoy your videos. Thanks Tim!

[@michelhv]

Featuring the ULINE catalog in its most exciting role until now!

[@GUCR44]

Cool man! Good job

[@adamgreenizer]

Love ❤️ this channel. Norlund is the axe Cadillac btw

[@dimmacommunication]

The cool part about the slack part is that it gives a convex edge :) so more resistant to hits,wich is what you want :)

[@ChromaticVideos]

"IT'S SHARP" 🙂 Another awesome vid Tim!

[@williamcunha9136]

Thank You Tim!

[@rickigunter1960]

Wow I wouldn't believe it could cut like that after you sharpened it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes

[@MountainMariner]

Yup sharp. Should make the surgeons suturing task easy on my leg and the scaring minimal.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

But only if you can slow the bleeding enough to make it to surgery 🙊

[@justateen1974]

Hey man, it was great and relaxing watching this video. I want to give you just one little tip. When working on the leather you should pull towards you, that way you won't shave off and ruin the leather. You can also do it on ya belt if needed.

[@d.k.1394]

Very interesting...thanking you

[@Fungusamnguss]

This is the kind of stuff i subbed for! Thanks for this one

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Nice sharpening process. Sure beats files!👍

[@EAwert42]

It doesn't actually, in terms of durability at least, power grinding involves heat that softens the edge apex by exceeding the temper temperature

[@1pcfred]

@@EAwert42 He said he was cooling the tool in water. It is certainly possible to manage heat in the process.

[@EAwert42]

@@1pcfred dipping it in water certainly helps but there are some studies that proves that power sharpening, unless it is constantly cooled by water, reduces edge apex hardness

[@1pcfred]

@@EAwert42 that's nonsense. You can't study something like that. There's too many variables. There's the kind of abrasive, there's the surface speed, there's the pressure applied and finally there's the material being ground. None of that can be accounted for. People power sharpen the world over successfully. Not just some either. Uncounted millions. We just saw it work in this video here.

[@EAwert42]

@@1pcfred I told nobody to stop doing this, if they are happy with that and if it works then it is great. Yes there are variables but we can understand how it tends to go. I trust scientific stuff, that is a choice :)

[@FooBarr68]

Very cool video, thanks for the detailed explanation of your process. As always amazing content. Keep it up

[@1944chevytruck]

AMAZING!...thanks 4 video. be kind.

[@brianbecher5781]

Tim! Love your content. I'd REALLY love to see your take on a carving axe!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Same. A carpenter's or carving axe would be a great addition to my tool set and I would love to see a pro's approach to the ideal head geometry, bevel and sharpening of one or both.

[@uniqko]

Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@xxinsufficiency]

I can give a beat up and chipped axe a shaving sharp edge with just a hand file in about 30 minutes. Is belt grinding really worth the cost of belts? Does it give substantially better results?

[@1pcfred]

A valid argument. Because we all know that files are both free and do last forever. Plus files flex to the ax cheek contour perfectly too!

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

@@1pcfred , and my file gets it super sharp, and it chops great.

[@1pcfred]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 your ax must be made out of some pretty soft metal if you can file it. Generally steel that soft cannot hold much of an edge due to the grain structure of tool steel itself. How sharp you can hone an edge is related to the coarseness of the abrading object. I have some extra fine files but they are still very coarse compared to my finest hone stones.

[@tomcarlson3244]

Great video, I will try this

[@bigbird2451]

I've been wondering. Thanks. Could we perhaps get another version of this video for those of us that don't have or can't afford a sweet belt sander like that. For instance, I have a tiny bench top 1" belt sander, an angle grinder, a random orbital sander and files.

[@JohnnyDee62]

I live in an apartment and may only use files. 🤦‍♂ I mostly sharpen with stones, but I make knives and not axes (one of the reasons I follow Tim is for the vicarious axe making!! 💪😁🤙🙏). I have cut down (small) trees with an axe, though. 😉

[@EAwert42]

Don't worry you just need high performance files and/or sharpening stones to get even higher performances than a belt sander

[@JohnnyDee62]

@@EAwert42 Just nowhere near as fast as a belt sander. 🥵💪 But: Quiet for the neighbors! 😄 👍🙏

[@EAwert42]

@@JohnnyDee62 My concern wasn't about how fast it removes metal but rather how will the edge perform over time

[@gearofhalo4]

i really want to see a Tasmanian pattern axe on here

[@cerealport2726]

I've seen the Tasmanian devil on Bugs Bunny cartoons. Not sure how you sharpen one of them. (before people go mad, I'm an Australian, and I know what an actual Tasmanian devil is...)

[@ajhearn4535]

Don't know what that is yet but sounds cool

[@JohnnyDee62]

I have Notifications set to All and never got one for this video (nor your other recent ones--looked/watched specifically this time!).

[@ajhearn4535]

Thank you!!!! Next build maybe a viking boar style spear?

[@Chrisbuildsstuff247]

Any tips for maintaining that consistent angle when grinding I find I’m all over the place and my edge doesn’t stay consistent and that’s what makes it sharp I know it takes practice but it’s hard for me I have a shake in my hands

[@1pcfred]

Switch to the decaff.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Mount a board to rest your arm or wrist on. Make it adjustable. Bolted wood with slots.

[@noelwest8234]

Tim, thankyou for listening to your Subs. I know I asked you to show us how you sharpen your axes. Good job. I have a belt sander, but have not had a chance to use it yet. Question... I don't have a buffer what else could I use instead??

[@breakawaybooks4752]

This has been a pretty chilly winter here in BC.

[@mepik15]

How long will it last tho..

[@fotografandreassvegland172]

Is it possible to use an eccentric grinder if you dont have those machines :)?

[@BeardedMorningstar]

Hey Tim, great video as always. However, could you please start putting your measurements in your videos in metric as well? Or not, it's up to you, but I would greatly appreciate it

[@1pcfred]

There's no precise measuring going on here. It is just an approximation. He eyeballed it.

[@dirtridermag44]

Nice job & great info!

[@smithy-kw9fd]

He keeps reminding me of Matthew McConaughey, they look quite similar.

[@baphoreart7573]

Hey Tim! A quick question. Is there a reason why you're not using a polishing compound on leather and going with only backward strokes? Thanks!

[@1pcfred]

Look if he showed people how to actually do this where would his business be?

[@jes0lis]

Great video. Thanks

[@benabusthethird9751]

Not sure if you mention but a lot is just _practice._ You just gotta practice.

[@1pcfred]

No one practices sharpening tools. You just gain experience over time. In the meantime you get them as sharp as your experience allows.

[@ricklengele9576]

Do you use an angle guide or just wing it? Assume you just wing it.

[@TimothyDyck]

I just wing it!

[@rihamalawadi8850]

Nice one

[@LosRiji]

Question: is overheating an issue with belt sanders?

[@otterconnor942]

Yes. If you make the steel change colors you are changing the characteristics of the steel in a bad way.

[@thomasarussellsr]

You, sir Tim, remind me somewhat of Matthew Maconehey, with the way you look and grin, and some of the way you talk and your mannerisms. But as for the video, yeah, that is sharp, but repeated paper cutting will dull that edge some. Paper is hard on an edge.

[@zzzires5045]

That grinding face!

[@Bobs-Wrigles5555]

A bit like a happy biker?

[@zzzires5045]

@@Bobs-Wrigles5555 haha the sort of half grimace like I dont want to eat sparks

[@Bobs-Wrigles5555]

@@zzzires5045 👍😁

[@thegreatestshowcries2380]

I’m somewhat familiar with what you’re referring to with the transition and same angles etc. this could be really good with a few illustrations to better explain what you’re doing- since I’m not familiar enough to totally understand what I was hoping to learn. I suppose, maybe it was only to highlight your skills not teach me what and how to do it myself 😊

[@jamesrichardson771]

Wow 💥

[@retsirk97]

I liked the vid at 0:11

[@dannysteele4013]

Nice 👍

[@مرواان-ه1ك]

Great

[@OOOHBILLY]

Yo yo yo

[@tylerjames1716]

Hi Tim I like your hat? Do you sell them on your website?

[@michaelduncan2151]

Dyck...Was my Grandfather's last name....!!!

[@said087]

اوه بروفيسور

[@Gkitchens1]

I know a guy that follows your steps but takes it a lot further. He’ll profile with the belt sander, maybe some light hand sanding burly he’ll take it to higher grits and he’ll finish on a diamond stone and a strop just the same as you would a knife. You want to talk about sharp? It might fit you just for looking at it a little too long. Obviously it’s not necessary to take it that far and an edge that fine probably doesn’t last that long but man I swear it could almost split air molicules lol.

[@urranansoares8798]

boa noite meu amigo como é que eu faço pra comprar uma machado mim mandar ou teu atzzp OK

[@УЗБЕКтехно]

Assalamu alaykum very good

[@haritchie3460]

I' m one of those kind of guys .has trouble. With right words So see that small picture... with the black rings , there a throwing hatchet or axe in the wall.... She found her distance. So on May 7 2021 My wife said her family used wood For heat in winter time Brother old sister see who could stick it the most . I'm a believer. Why sure . Took my baseball cap hung it up One step back Hit my cap with the back of the axe First time. Do feel it be channel she may Like.

[@Photosynthesisbeing]

Do a sharp axe video for us with no belt sander.

[@christophercastor6666]

On the first grinding shot I caught myself saying “put on a mask!” But I then told myself “I dont mask up all the time, so don’t be a dick about it.” Then I saw you wearing the good 3M, and I felt really stupid for having an old N98 with as much metal dust inside as out. Any suggestions for getting sharpening dust out of an apple airpod case? Cheers! And oh yeah; hell of a nice edge without being preachy! Much a-preach-eated -CY

[@1pcfred]

Iron is good for you.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

Duct tape for the sharpening dust might do it? Or maybe sticky tack?

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

A narrow automotive magnet, if it's ok around the electrics.

[@christophercastor6666]

Paul is spot on; I can’t believe I’m slightly anemic with all the steel I breathe! Maybe that extra carbon is the issue… WiP: yes, but I actually go with the senator’s tip and have magnets in plastic bags to catch metal chaff and clean afterwards.

[@ronniewilliz153]

Ive noticed the bur thing as well.

[@SillyGoose69]

Yes

[@OOOHBILLY]

Bro. How? Lolololol

[@SillyGoose69]

@@OOOHBILLY lmfao just fast

[@OOOHBILLY]

@@SillyGoose69 GG.

[@cedrickoch428]

why you cutting the leather away just strop in backwards ?!

[@bradameerbeg2154]

Guys, did you notice he changes the direction from not slack belt grinding to the slack belt grinding direction? Might be important, too.

[@1pcfred]

It is. If you don't want to be cutting your belts and shredding them.

[@MarkK01]

No one i know can sharpen a axe. I wish I had better friends in that department. My axe is store bought and not very expensive. I have tried phoning around to different sharpers but no one will touch a axe.

[@David-yy7lb]

That's awesome however what's weird about razor sharp steel and I will never understand is after you finish chopping a tree down that axe is no longer razor sharp like it was before but we all know steel is harder than wood??

[@Blue.4t2]

⭐🙂👍

[@j.o.2045]

Hello, my friends, I'd like to gently direct you to a video by BushcraftSysiphus, about the danger zone. There are three distinct zones of an axes sharpness, four if you want to be technical. The grind, the bevel, the secondary bevel, the the micro-bevel, and youd be hard pressed to convince me otherwise. Level of polish is a matter of preference

[@مرواان-ه1ك]

I wish I could buy an axe from you

[@Максимщ5ж]

У топора плохая форма и плохой баланс. Чувствуется, что люди не часто имеет дело с хорошей древесиной.

[@jacobalstott93]

How to make a sharp axe or how to make an axe sharp?

[@bryzabone]

Like my dad used to say, sharp as an axe and twice as hard in the head 😎😛

[@dmitryivanov3582]

Блин чувак, это можно было за 1 минуту показать.

[@aks1666]

👋🍕☕👋

[@davidhonsey208]

to sharp for me to use!!

[@НигдеНикто-т2у]

Пришли мне токой же

[@jeremybailey6809]

You keep saying you can't wait to see me in the next video and I have been waiting 6 months for you to show up at my house with a video camera. When are you going to stop leading me on Tim.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

I thought he was coming to MY house?!

[@штольц-г3я]

А палец так сможеш?

[@jackyarcher9749]

Didn't expect this when I click the video!! Promote your social media with P R O M O S M!!!