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In your opinion what's the best way to correctly sharpen an axe? Everyone has their ideas and I'd like to hear yours.
Thanks.
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If you look up the video "an axe to grind" on youtube, it will give you the basic shape you are looking for. You need a thin convex between 25 and 30 degrees. I tend to the thin side.
The best way I have found to create a truly smooth convex edge, with a continous curve from the edge to the cheeks, is to use a 1 x 30 belt sander. I use the hard platen to rough out the edge. Then I use the slack of belt to create the actual convex.
All of this can be done by hand. You can rough out the edge with a large bastard file and then use the "Rooster Method" to finish out the convex. The Rooster Method is on youtube also.
The old fashion method is to just rought out the edge with a file until you are very close to the edge and then change to a slightly steeper angle to finish out. Then blend it out with a sharpening puck.
There really isn't a wrong way to do it unless you heat up the steel until it changes color. I am always very careful of creating too much heat.
This is the best representation of a absolutely perfect edge I have.