So why is it axes don't come sharp?

[jzmtl]

Really, I've never seen an axe that's sharp out of the box. Hardware store axes have edge that's literally 1/4" thick, fiskars have thin formed edge but not actually sharp, estwing also have decent secondary bevel but not sharpened either. Why? Even a 50 cents utility knife comes sharp out of the box, why can't axes do the same? (I'd hate to see somebody who doesn't have power tools thin out that 1/4" thick edge!)

[Gareth]

The only thing that I have heard argued is that a large amount of axes are sold and used for splitting.  The logic is that a blunt axe will split just as well and is less likely to stick in the round, basically it's being used as a high speed wedge.  Personally I don't like the idea myself and will always put an edge on a axe.  It makes for a much more versatile tool that can split, chop, slice, scrape etc.

[Mike]

Me too Gareth, I put an edge on mine as well. Normally, I thin the shoulder down a little and give it a decent edge. Though nothing close to what I do for my knives, I like to keep a fair amount of metal behind the edge.

Mike

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm with you guys

It's just a cheap and easy way for them to save money imo

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well I'm happy to report that my new Gransfors Bruks SFA came absolutely razor sharp

[Gareth]

Good stuff mate.    It's the only axe I've ever had that I didn't feel the need to sharpen either.  Do you like it?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good stuff mate.    It's the only axe I've ever had that I didn't feel the need to sharpen either.  Do you like it?

Erm...YES

It is a very fine bit of kit, and may be responsible for altering my perceptions of all things Axey
 
The fit and finish are really top notch, but it's the balance and poise of the thing that's so amazing

I certainly don't think this'll be my last GB

[Gareth]

Thank goodness for that.  If you couldn't have your head turned by a GB then all hope was lost. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Thank goodness for that.  If you couldn't have your head turned by a GB then all hope was lost. 

So what one's do you have then mate

The Wildlife Hatchet is pretty high on the list

[Gareth]

The only GB I have is the SFA.  Like you I really like the look of the Wildlife Hatchet, but also the Mini.  I have held the Mini and it is tiny.  I wouldn't want to try and fell a tree with it that's for sure, but as a stand in for a big knife it feels great.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

but as a stand in for a big knife it feels great.

See that's what I'm looking for , as the days of me being able to use a Kukri are pretty much over on these shores

[Gareth]

but as a stand in for a big knife it feels great.

See that's what I'm looking for , as the days of me being able to use a Kukri are pretty much over on these shores

I see what you mean.  The smallest I have is that Wetterlings Mini I got not long after you did.  IIRC I got the even smaller one than you did.  You will see it at the meet-up.  Small as it is the GB mini is much more compact.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

but as a stand in for a big knife it feels great.

See that's what I'm looking for , as the days of me being able to use a Kukri are pretty much over on these shores

I see what you mean.  The smallest I have is that Wetterlings Mini I got not long after you did.  IIRC I got the even smaller one than you did.  You will see it at the meet-up.  Small as it is the GB mini is much more compact.

I guess I'll have to add the GB mini to the list too then

[Craig]

My Dad is a retired tree feller, he started out in the days when chain saws were still rare. I remember him saying that felling axes were sharp enough to shave hairs from your arm. Next time I see him I'll ask how they used to sharpen them.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

My Dad is a retired tree feller, he started out in the days when chain saws were still rare. I remember him saying that felling axes were sharp enough to shave hairs from your arm. Next time I see him I'll ask how they used to sharpen them.

Thank's mate , I'd appreciate that

[Gareth]

My Dad is a retired tree feller, he started out in the days when chain saws were still rare. I remember him saying that felling axes were sharp enough to shave hairs from your arm. Next time I see him I'll ask how they used to sharpen them.

Thank's mate , I'd appreciate that

+1 on that. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

My Dad is a retired tree feller, he started out in the days when chain saws were still rare. I remember him saying that felling axes were sharp enough to shave hairs from your arm. Next time I see him I'll ask how they used to sharpen them.

Thank's mate , I'd appreciate that

+1 on that. 

Looks like mob rule Craig so you'd best get on it

[Craig]

I was hoping for a magic system that would make it easy for cack handed people like me but no luck He just said start off with a file if it there is a load of metal to remove and then finish with a stone. I suspect that the reason they could get them sharp is that they were practicing every day. I would think that felling a tree would dull an edge pretty well so they'd be sharping their tools quite often.

[Gareth]

So I don't need this magic wand then?    Ah well, I get my stuff sharp enough for me.  Thanks for asking for us though. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I was hoping for a magic system that would make it easy for cack handed people like me but no luck He just said start off with a file if it there is a load of metal to remove and then finish with a stone. I suspect that the reason they could get them sharp is that they were practicing every day. I would think that felling a tree would dull an edge pretty well so they'd be sharping their tools quite often.

Thanks for that mate

At least there's no sorcery involved, so the rest of us stand half a chance

[Mike]

I was hoping for a magic system that would make it easy for cack handed people like me but no luck He just said start off with a file if it there is a load of metal to remove and then finish with a stone. I suspect that the reason they could get them sharp is that they were practicing every day. I would think that felling a tree would dull an edge pretty well so they'd be sharping their tools quite often.

That's all I use, file down the shoulders with a double cut smurf file, then finish with a Lansky Puck (or Norton Puck). Get's plenty sharp for everything I need to do with an axe or hatchet. Just make sure you keep the bevels equal on both sides, it will twist less when you chop/split.

Mike

[David]

This is a subject that I`ve often wondered about over the years. I`ve been doing a little research on axes and ran across a gentleman explaining this dilemma as it applied to American axes any way. He was saying that in the old days some wanted axes for felling trees and some wanted axes that were used more for splitting. Since in those days every town had a man who had a water grinder the axe manufacturers left the axe blade a little thick so the end user could sharpen it to his uses. Fast forward to today and axes are manufactured much the same way but the local water grinder is gone. So we`re left with thick blunt axe blade that require a fair amount of work to get into proper shape. Any hoo that my condensed version as I understood it.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

This is a subject that I`ve often wondered about over the years. I`ve been doing a little research on axes and ran across a gentleman explaining this dilemma as it applied to American axes any way. He was saying that in the old days some wanted axes for felling trees and some wanted axes that were used more for splitting. Since in those days every town had a man who had a water grinder the axe manufacturers left the axe blade a little thick so the end user could sharpen it to his uses. Fast forward to today and axes are manufactured much the same way but the local water grinder is gone. So we`re left with thick blunt axe blade that require a fair amount of work to get into proper shape. Any hoo that my condensed version as I understood it.

That sound's very plausible

[2xTap]

This is a subject that I`ve often wondered about over the years. I`ve been doing a little research on axes and ran across a gentleman explaining this dilemma as it applied to American axes any way. He was saying that in the old days some wanted axes for felling trees and some wanted axes that were used more for splitting. Since in those days every town had a man who had a water grinder the axe manufacturers left the axe blade a little thick so the end user could sharpen it to his uses. Fast forward to today and axes are manufactured much the same way but the local water grinder is gone. So we`re left with thick blunt axe blade that require a fair amount of work to get into proper shape. Any hoo that my condensed version as I understood it.

Not unheard of as back in the day alot of pocketknives came this way as well. Many manufacturers would put just a rudimentary edge on their blades leaving them fairly basic for the purchaser to put whatever edge he wanted on it for his own purposes.

2xTap

[Dtrain]

That sounds very reasonable to me...I have had an Estwing Hunter's Hatchet for many years now..When I purchased it I spent about 30 minutes or so feeling the edges on all of them on the rack until I found the one that felt the closest to bieng sharp..I took it home, and worked on the edge with a couple of diamond stones and finally an Arkansas Stone til I got her where I wanted her. I can shave the hair off my arm..No slam against GB's offering, but for those prices I would expect them shaving sharp and ready to go right out of the box..Seems like the deliver!

[jzmtl]

That may be true for 50 years ago, but how many people today have the ability to grind down a 3/8" thick edge with 80° angle? I don't even know if there are any places today that regind axes.

[Gareth]

That may be true for 50 years ago, but how many people today have the ability to grind down a 3/8" thick edge with 80° angle? I don't even know if there are any places today that regind axes.

That's true, but it's maybe it's now acceptable because people only really think of axes as tools for splitting wood?  Even I have to admit an axe doesn't have to be particularly sharp to bludgeon it's way through a round of wood.

[David]

Bark River Knife and Tool use to regrind axes but don't know if they still do. Even if they do it is still a lot of added cost. When I get an axe I clamp it in a vise and start filing then finish it with a stone. Most axes require a lot of filing. But is much cheaper than sending it off some where. I do wish what few axe makers that are left would give us a better tempered and sharpened axe that is good to go when purchased. I use my axes for chopping mostly.

[jzmtl]

I just wish they come harder, mid 50's HRC.

[scrappy]

My wetterling carpenter came sharp and my ranger hawk was sharp also. Cold steel aint bad. My coleman axe is as sharp as a dornob.