How to sharpen, store and use our axes
Sharpening
Use a convex edge for applications such as delimbing, felling and splitting.
Use a straight edge for hacking.
An axe that has been sharpened at an angle is dangerous to use as it can easily slip!
A concave edge entails a high risk of the axe splintering.
You can sharpen your axe edge using sandpaper or a bench grinder. The safest way to sharpen is using a wet grinder, but sometimes it may be necessary to first grind out burrs or other damage using a different method, e.g. a bench grinder.
NB: It is very important that you take care when sharpening and ensure that the axe is not affected by heat! If any part of the axe turns a blue colour, it signals that its tempered zone has disappeared in that part of the axe and it is no longer as resistant to wear.
Storage
Never store your axe in excessively dry places, e.g. in boiler rooms or leaning against a heater. You then risk the shaft drying out and the axe head coming loose whilst being used.
Use
Never strike the neck of the axe with another tool. Never use the axe as a sledge. Only sledge axes can withstand being used as a sledge.
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