Hi All

Have just received a little Estwing axe - the one with the leather washer handle about 14" overall length. So far I haven't touched it. Should I maintain the factory edge and just touch it up to be sharp or do I need to change the edge radically? It will be used for normal round the camp chores and will stay in my truck all the time in case needed.

Also what should I sharpen with? File? Stone?

Thanks and sorry for all the daft questions.

GG

Depends on how sharp it is now. If its not sharp enough then sharpen it. If you use it at all it well need to be sharpen sooner then later. I use a file then a stone on my hachets and axes if I really do something nasty(like hit a rock) I'll take a grinding wheel to them (be carefull) it is easy to burn the edge.

I just sharpened the same axe a couple days ago. I used an 8" bastard cut mill file and finished it with a stone. I don't see any reason to radically change the egde.

Thanks for the info guys - much appreciated.

GG

Here is a link I posted earlier on sharpening:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/Fspubs/99232823/toc.htm

I have an estwing too, and the blade profile is thin enough that just going over the edge at about a 30 degree angle is good enough. Instead of a file, I like to use a belt sander to put the initial profile on, just be quick about it so you don't overheat the blade.