A sharp axe is a safer axe. It might sound backwards, but a dull blade needs more force to cut and is far more likely to glance off the wood and end up somewhere you did not intend. Whether you are keeping a Viking-style axe display-ready or you actually take yours out to split kindling, here is how to bring the edge back.
What you will need
For a badly nicked or rolled edge, you will want a flat mill file to remove damage before you start honing. For general sharpening and maintenance, a round or puck-style sharpening stone is the traditional tool, as its curve matches the curve of an axe edge far better than a flat stone does. A leather strop, such as our Leather & Cotton Sharpening Strop, finishes the job by removing the tiny burr left behind and polishing the edge to a clean finish.
Find your existing angle
Before you touch a file or stone to the edge, take a good look at the existing bevel. Most axes sit somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees per side, with axes built for fine wood carving nearer the shallower end and general splitting or camp axes nearer the steeper end. Whatever angle is already there, your job is to match it consistently rather than reinvent it.
File out any damage
If the edge has nicks, chips or a rolled section, work along it with the mill file first, following the existing angle and using smooth, even strokes away from the edge. Take your time here. It is far better to remove a little too much metal evenly than to rush and end up with an uneven edge that needs correcting later.
Hone with a stone
Once the edge is free of damage, move on to your sharpening stone. Hold the axe steady, edge facing away from you, and work the stone along the bevel in small circular motions, following the curve of the blade from heel to toe. Keep the angle consistent and work your way along the full length of the edge, then flip the axe and repeat on the other side. Work through a coarser grit if the edge needs real work, then finish on a finer grit for a keen, clean edge.
Strop to finish
Sharpening leaves a microscopic burr along the edge, and a strop is what removes it. Draw the edge across the leather away from the direction of the blade, alternating sides, until the edge feels clean and consistent rather than snagging.
Test it safely
The classic test is shaving a patch of arm hair or slicing cleanly through a sheet of paper held in the air. If it catches or tears rather than cutting cleanly, a few more passes on the stone and strop should finish the job. Always test away from your body and never run a finger along the edge to check sharpness.
Finish with oil
Once you are happy with the edge, wipe the head down with a little Weapon Oil to protect the freshly exposed metal from moisture. If the axe is going straight back on display, a coat of Weapon Wax over the top will keep it looking sharp long after it stops being sharp.
A well-kept edge is one of the simplest ways to get more life out of any axe in your collection. Browse our full range of Viking Axes to find your next project.
