How do you sharpen your x27?

[WhiteMike]

Curious to see how the more experienced guys do it. This is the first axe I've ever owned and first time sharpening something other than with a bench grinder. I bought a cheap stone from the hardware store and use a honing oil. I've split about 4 cord with it so far and sharpen after every cord or so. It seems to hold up pretty well at first but towards the end of my pile I can really notice a difference in splitting.

 

[bigbadbob]

supscribed,
X27 not shown,,
BBB

 

[DSW]

I've hit mine with my Nicholson. Ive split probably 20 face cord since that. I don't personally notice a difference.

 

[svk]

Boy it's been a long time since we had a new Fiskars thread around here.

I just use a bench grinder. As others have noted in the past the Fiskars metallurgy isn't the best but the design sure works well.

 

[Section VIII]

I use their sharpener

 

[LondonNeil]

as you say it hlds up quite well and seems to do a cord or cord and a half before marking for me. Yesterday i hit something invisible embedded in some ash and sent sparks flying....that folded the edge. one minute with an old file and it was sharp again, too sharp, I sliced my finger on it! the steel isn't hard enough to need a grinder, how it stays sharp i'm baffled.

 

[dancan]

I split (some people may cringe or may not want read any further) on the ground most of the time so the edges on all my splitting axes take a bit of a beating from time to time , occasionally I'll take a grinder with a flap wheel or a flat file to the edge and knock off any large burrs only , I never bother to get them sharp because I use them for splitting not for cutting .
I have plenty of sharp axes for cutting , I don't use them for splitting .

 

[Streblerm]

Flat file. I have a fiskars sharpener but it doesn't do much on anything other than a mostly sharp edge. I don't notice that a razor sharp edge works much better than a fairly sharp edge. It just dulls faster.

I split on the ground as well

 

[user 122190]

If I bunge it up bad I go at it with a file first, finish it with a stone. Nothing special.

 

[Hinerman]

Belt Sander FTW

 

[svk]

I too split on the ground. I don't think it's necessary to have an edge on a splitting tool that could be used to shave whiskers just a decent edge and no blunt angle changes.

Speaking of chopping tools, the Fiskars chopping axe is second to none!

 

[Retired]

I got a Work Sharp knife & tool sharpener for Fathers' Day. It really works nice on anything Fiskars, especially if you go down to a leather stropping belt. Before that...I've used everything from a raker file to a round stone.

 

[Jere39]

If & When I have to split on the ground, like when I can't lift the round, I use my generic hardware store maul. I keep the Fiskars out of the dirt, so I can dress it with the Fiskars sharpening tool. And, I do that on a rainy day when I don't want to work outside.

 

[TMFARM 2009]

 

[WhiteMike]

For the guys using bench grinders/peanut grinders...do you use any kind of oil or water to keep the blade cool? I've read that you should never use a grinder to sharpen an axe, especially with a soft metal like the x27, because the heat will ruin it...just wondering if there's any truth to that.

 

[user 122190]

For the guys using bench grinders/peanut grinders...do you use any kind of oil or water to keep the blade cool? I've read that you should never use a grinder to sharpen an axe, especially with a soft metal like the x27, because the heat will ruin it...just wondering if there's any truth to that.

I sharpen and polish knives, sharpen chains, axes, gun smithing, etc, with files, bench grinders, fine stones, even polishing pastes.... It's all about tiny removal of metals. If you feel the need to push hard, or use something aggressive, then you are using the wrong machine on the edge of the moment. Because Fiskars are unique, a file used lightly, is as much as you will ever need (and use properly rarely) before finishing the edge with a stone.

 

[user 122190]

Some of my work ---

 

[user 122190]

Only a utility knife for me. Lots of messed up bevel angles to sort out, but now way beyond factory sharp. The Buck/Tops CSAR-T Fixed with a tanto edge and tip.

 

[CR888]

I did my X27 yesterday with my chainsaw grinder. Just turn the chain vice all the way to one side and use the side of the grinding wheel. It cut paper when finished. Not that it splits any better being that sharp, I did not notice any difference sinking it into a round of hardwood FWIW.