And always wear the safety flip flops in case you drop the axe on your toes!!

From a lot of experience, its not just about how sharp you can get it, its about what you plan on using it for. For example, if you want to "split" firewood, you want a wider cut angle on the head. You dont want the axe head to cut, you want it to split. Now if you are sharpening a felling axe, then you want a shorter angle and sharper blade. I hope that makes sense.

Completely low tech, no fancy tools, realistic and achievable by anyone. No waffle, distracting music, god bless ya ... Is a ripper!

If you color the edge with a sharpie between grits, you can use it as a guide coat and be sure you got through the scratches of the last one

this is inspirational and one of my favorite videos on KZfaq that I've watched many times. Thank you for your gentle voice and mesmerizing worth ethic and calm attention to detail. I'd love to listen to you tell stories around a campfire.

Very nice. My Grand-dad was a stickler when it came to his tools. His axes, shovels, garden hoes, were always sharp, oiled, and ready to go. Makes a difference. And I agree---a well worn, maintained hickory handle does feel good in the hands. It's important.

My grandfather taught me to sharpen ax heads the same way. He also taught me to use regular old paraffin wax to dip the cutting edge. That would preserve the entire edge till the ax was used again. Great video. Thank You

I'm a woman from the good 'ole USA, and I say that shine is beautiful!!!!! I have definitely learned something today! That was cool to watch!!

That's the aussieist thing I've ever seen just a bloke with some sandpaper and paitance sat in his shorts and flip flops worrying about other people cutting themselves on the way past. I loved every second of this good job feller

Having declared my dissatisfaction with this sharpener last night kzfaq.infoUgkxDcr-y2Pf6xdnrFHrSP7dl9kpKaCozcSQ I thought about the problem some more. It occurred to me that I might be undoing each attempt at achieving a sharp edge by the repeated attempts. So, I tried to clean up the unsatisfactory result by honing with only positions 3 and 4.Miracle!! A really nicely sharpened chef's knife, more than enough to handle my needs. Admittedly, it did not reach professionally sharpened razor-fineness, but it is now significantly sharper than it was. A bout of breaking down carrots convinced me. So, major apologies to the manufacturer, Amazon, and all happy and potential owners! Follow the directions: don't buy it if you have ceramic blades; and don't overwork your knife blade.

Outstanding! Thanks very much for your patience in showing this!

I just this afternoon finished sharpening a camping hatchet. I thought it was ready to put away with my gear until I came across this video. Now Im going to try this technique and REALLY sharpen it. Thanks for the excellent tutorial.

Thanks so much for the info You got straight into and didn't talk a lot about the same thing over and over. You have shown me a way that I can afford to do it.

Top job mate. You've inspired me to sharpen my axe and knives this weekend, easily and cheaply. Thank you kindly

Wow man !! Thank you for teaching me this . Guess I found my.mission tomorrow

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this info. My boys and I have been struggling with sharpening our hatchet and axe. I'm looking forward to testing this method out!

One other thing to do... Wax the head. It will cut better and rust less. Car wax works just fine. It will help to keep the pitch off too. Beautiful edge!

Good to mention the bit about the burr. Most people don't understand why an edge seems sharper on one side than the other. Getting that part reduced or removed is the key to any good sharpening regardless of angle on any edge be it axe, knife, planer blades or whatever. As a retired person on limited income I could never justify buying one of those Ken Onion special belt sharpening systems but got one for Christmas from one of my sons. It's the kind of gift that keeps on giving a long long time! Now I keep every edge I own in tip top shape. It's good for all but the final stropping unless you buy a leather belt that fits the machine like I did. I put just a hint of black abrasive compound on the belt then finish the edge in under a minute. No matter the angle I can then duplicate your hair shaving and paper slicing demos. I never get tired of keeping not only my tools sharp but tune up tools, knives, axes, scissors, etc. for my four kids, friends, and even couple good neighbors! Your hand axe is a carbon copy of my prized WWII surplus axe I bought at a garage sale many years ago! It's equally good to keep wood handles of tools in tip top shape with that linseed oil as well. On thing, I usually daub a light coating on the new the newly exposed bare metal as well as lightly soak the leather scabbard that covers the edge when not in use. I also wipe down and rehone/oil the edge after use, specially if cutting green wood! All these measures make your edges last even longer! Nice detailed video & thanks for the effort!

This was a GREAT video man... I'm a 3x state champion axe thrower. I ALWAYS kept my 24" double bitted razor sharp as well. I would shave my face just to prove it to people but this brother here is in a different world with his! I'm gonna have to step it up 🤘🏻

THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION,, I AM NOW GOING TO SHARPEN ALL MY AXES & CHISELS & FAVORITE KNIVES THANKS TO YOUR VIDEO.

Helps to start with a great axe!

Watched one video of a guy making his own log cabin...KZfaq now believes that I am a lumberjack

Nice! Great to see a fellow Aussie doing a no fuss, no bull dust sharing of bloody useful info. good onya mate!

Very simple with nice results. Have 3 axes to sharpen. Going to do it exactly as you did. Thank you for this video

Wow, I really don't ever comment on videos, but damn, I'm impressed!

I’ve sharpened a lot of tools but not with this setup. Really impressed. I will use it from now on. Thanks

This side to side technique is new to me. I have always either circled or used the stone from the direction of the base, out towards the tip. It is a complete novelty to me and I am about to have a go at replicating. Using no lubricant is new to me too. I have always wet my wet/dry sandpaper or used a stone with oil or dishwash detergent (a fad I went through back in the '90's). Having just done up all my tool handles over the past week, it is now time to start on the metalwork; so this video suggestion was good timing, thanks to youtube!

Love this guy - he goes on about Safety and then you see what he has on his feet! Ho Chi Mihn sandels / flip flops / call 'em what you will but safe they are not!

Thanks for taking the time to share with us the way you sharpen that bad boy

Great video, thanks for this! First time axe owner awaiting delivery today and after watching this I've got no doubts I'll be able to keep it shaving sharp without spending a ton. Thanks again!

Job well done, Sir ! Thanks for sharing. I`v had an Estwing hatchet that has accompanied me on many camping trips since the early 1970s, I sharpen it the same way....

I just love those cool Aussie air-cooled safety shoes sport!

Thank you for sharing your wisdom , I greatly appreciate it , this reminded me of how my father(rip) would sit an spend hours on his blades and stuff . I want to thank you for tha refresher course enabling me to understand tha sharpening process . These lost arts are especially important in these uncertain days , I'm glad to see so many "old school" guys sharing their necessary knowledge with generations that have no father to teach these important skills . You are greatly appreciated. And your ax is absolutely amazing , I could see tha mirror finish , you should b proud 👍 God bless & God speed 🍃 🌹

Nice Job! looks awesome! I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

I spent a few hours sharpening my knives and I don't think I've ever seen one you could shave with 😮. Awesome!

Thanks mate I needed to know how to do this and now I know . Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🇦🇺🇦🇺

Thank you for your video now I know how to sharpen my axe. I never knew the steps until now. You have been very helpful. God Bless you and your family and have a great day.

G'day mate, and greetings from Las Vegas, NV USA! Great job! Good, easy to follow instructions and lots of good common sense! Keep the posts coming my friend! God bless and take care...

That is awesome, love the oil, geeze the edge I love it. Thank you

great job,its such a versatile tool and a pity more people dont know just how useful these can be,well done indeed.

I'm about to try this one out . Great idea thanks for sharing .

I’ve watched enough lumberjack competitions to know that aussies are amazing choppers so I’d listen to this man about keeping axes sharp

Excellent job. It takes patience to sharpen tools properly. Many people don't know how or lack the patience to do it properly. I admire your work and would agree that waxing the head would be the one additional step to protect the head.

Beautiful! Thank-you! From England.

Man, that's impressive! Thanks for showing us your process.

I’ve never sharpened using paper, looks like fun…thank you brother!

Looks like a really cool thing to do to chill out on a Sunday afternoon...probably before cracking open a beer! Thanks for posting. Great to see

When I was a kid in the bush, still in primary school, it was my job to chop up all the firewood for our wood stove in the kitchen. A trick my father showed to help keep the axe handle tight in the axe head was to, every now and then, stand the axe, head down in a can with some linseed oil in it. The wooden handle draws the oil up into the head and helps stop the wood from shrinking and becoming loose in the head. You don't need much oil - just enough to make contact with the end of the handle will do the job. As for the shaving tip to test sharpness, don't do what I do when sharpening kitchen knives. Being the master procrastinator that I am, I put off sharpening my knives until there isn't one sharp one left in the knife draw, then I sharpen them all in one go. Depending on your point of view, I'm either blessed or cursed with very hairy arms and legs, so by the time the job is completed, I look like an old mangy dog! For some odd reason, the sheilas don't go for this look.

I really enjoyed this no-nonsense, informative and concise video. Will have to try that technique on my Tommy axe tomorrow. That denim sushi looks yummy, by the way. Thank you.

this is the best axe sharpening tutorial I've seen, cheers!

That was an awesome master class in how to get a bloody sharp axe with no bs involved. Thanks heaps mate, gonna hit the shed and dig my bugger out and give it some love. Cheers brother and all the best.

What a lovely video. Absolutely lovely to see someone that lovingly loves his hobby.

Mateeeeeee i have OCD and that polish steps was orgasmic . Nice job

Sweet! I’m gonna try this.

That is one sharp axe :)You are right about people not looking after their gear I go round the council kerbside clean ups and pick up old furniture to restore have come across a few good old tools I have restored great upload thanks

AMAAAIIIIZING SHARPNESS, I WILL DO THIS TO MY HATCHET I LONG FORGOTTEN IN THR GARAGE, THANK U SIR FOR SHARING UR IDEAS, VERY VERY 👍🏾!!!!!

Will have to try this on my axes,hatchets,and Tomahawks.

My grandad gave me his old axe when I moved to my own house, he said it hadn’t been sharpened or used in over 45years and he got it in 1928. Very rusty and the handle was no good so I resorted it, it was the first axe I resorted. I now do it as a hobby. Been doing it for 3 years now and the one thing I could never get right was to get it sharp like this and now I can 👍 thank you 🤜 🇬🇧

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm about to buy a hatchet for camping and cutting trails and this will help me maintain it.

Great work. Thank you for the lesson. I’ll be giving it a go.

Straight forward HOWTO. No extraneous or non relevant bits. Good job on the video and the axe sharpening.

Impressive! Going to use this method! Thanks for sharing. Great job ! Hello from Texas.👍

Great video! Thanks for the instruction!

A VERY sharp axe !!!! Skilled hands. sandpaper and straight piece of wood. old school at it's very best !!!!! "Thank you for this video", J. Payne, Charlotte, North Carolina USA

That’s a really steep angle for an ax I love a well maintained tool. All tools. 👍👍👍

Fine work M8! Cheers & thanks for sharing! I now have ANOTHER project for this weekend :)

Very down to Earth video. Thanks for producing/editing/uploading this! Really enjoyed the watch and skills you have provided. :) Cheers!

I learned something new. Thank you.

14:45 You are describing my hatchet. - LOL I am going to give it to my Grandson who is a Boy Scout so I'm going to put it into shape for him. Thanks for sharing this video showing me how to do that.

I can relate when he said it’s like a meditative stage sharpening tools. I’m a joiner and I find this sharpening my chisels and plane blades. 😀🇬🇧

Great video and a lovely old plumb. Thanks!

Genuinely impressed

Nice job with that, and a good, clear video. Thanks!

My goodness I wished I was this good! That amazing work at sharping and the finish is beautiful

Beautifully done!

Beautiful job. Having great tools like that is a privilege.

Great tutorial. Learned a lot of the process.

I used to spend ludicrous amounts of time with stones, working my way up through the grits... This method of yours is excellent, if you have loads of sandpaper and time - and don’t get me wrong - t’s always good to know the many ways a thing can be done, especially the most basic, so you know how to do it when resources are limited. For the less patient, drop $50 on a cheap 1x30 benchtop belt sander and throw another $15 down on a set of belts in all the grits from 80 to 1000 - start on whatever low grit you need to, given the condition of the blade, work your way up. Your axe will be equally razor sharp and beautifully polished in a tiny fraction of the time - about 5-10 minutes - less if you do it frequently. The “flexy” section of the belt is perfect for achieving a convex grind on an axe bit, as you want that slight curve toward the edge to keep it strong. For flatter grinds, you can use the flat platen. I sharpen everything on my 1 x 30 belt sander - love that thing. Belts are super cheap, too - you can get a full set on Amazon for $15. I also got a 1x30 leather stropping belt, with compound, which is the final step for the mirror finish. That system makes sharpening almost anything super fast and easy-peezy. I sharpen way too many tools, way too often to spend a ton of time on it - which used to mean I ended up having a lot of dull tools. I was amazed how inexpensive and fast the belt sander method has proven to be. Those machines are so cheap, you could easily buy several of them and have them set up next to each other with different grits ready to go. The belts are also very easy to change, so I just swap them out, as my workbench space is limited. To each his own. Great video. Keep up the good work, mate!

That is simply stunning to see the difference. Thanx for sharing.

admire your attitude, work is play

Still a novice when it comes to sharpening my hatchet, but after watching your video I have a lot more confidence. Great tutorial!

I would not put much stock into the 'It's too sharp' comments Scott. There is a lot of misinformation out there and some just like to cast shade to boost an ego. A tool that is properly sharpened makes all the difference. If they actually worked with them, they would have the same opinion. There are only three things that dictate your sharpening: The intended task of the tool, The ability of the tool to take and hold that edge and finally it's your ability to put it there. If you're good with the last two points, the first is a no brainier. By the way, lovely axe mate. There is something very special about tuning up old tools. That one is a keeper. All the best, Ben

Dude that's gorgeous!!

brilliant videos. thanks for sharing. from the UK 🇬🇧

Enjoyed the video, as you did just for the fun of sharpening something.

Man ,that baby lok's sharp! when I was in the forest service we sharpened our Axe's and Mcleoud's with a file and then put tape to keep the edge for the next work party or fire!.Thank you for the great video!.........

This is the best video on using sand paper on youtube. Hands down. No contest. I really like your attitude of listening to music or a podcast and relaxing as you work. It's the attitude of a fine craftsman . . . they love their work and become mesmerized by it . . . . which there are so few of them. Thank you brother. Great post.

On the woods cabin thirty years many axes and knives of all kinds it's good to see how others maintain their tools. Thanks

Thank you. I' gotta go get sandpaper and sharpen the axes and hatchets out here.

Love the 'safety-sandles' you have on 😂

after all this work, I wouldn't want to use the axe =D I will give it a try. Thank you for the video!

Great stuff! I will put this method to use right away. Bought a well-known manufacturer's axe the other day and at home when I removed the sheath I found the blade was completely dull. The times we live in..

One of the best sharpening videos I've ever seen - and I've watched quite a few! Good job.

G'day Scott, nice job There was a saying the old bushmen had about their axes , it's got to be sharp enough to shave a mouse asleep ! 👍🇦🇺 .

Greattt job my friend !!!! That was scary sharp !!! I loved the wide bevels.keep up the great work !!!

Well done mate, thanks for the tutorial!

I can get my hatchet so sharp that I can shave with it. I might use a small worn scrap of emery to polish up the sides, but a reasonably fine sharpening stone will do. The stone I use was given to me many years ago because it was worn like a swayback horse, but it works perfectly for my axe, my hatchet, my cane knife, my adze and any other none-precision tools. You are spending a fortune on emery which is not necessary. Neither do you need a clamp, or work bench. The job can be done perfectly well with just two hands, a stone and some water or hoof and horn oil. Neat's-foot oil in other words. Water works fine, but neat's-foot suspends the stone dust and metal powder off of the stone, so you only need a small amount of it, and it is less likely to drip dirty grindings, as water does, on your hands etc.

Awesome video. Exactly the kind of help I need because I'm one of those folks who doesn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on sharpening stones. Thanks for the super clear explanation and the demo.

I used to polish blades with polishing compound and a fabric bench grinder wheel, gets blades that are somewhat sharp to beyond reasonable levels, but this looks so much nicer on the blade

Very good. I will give it a try on my hatchets and axe.