If you have a large property, or just an enthusiasm for firewood, you probably own an axe. And if you own an axe, you also have a small but important responsibility. Keeping it sharp.
You don’t necessarily consider that when you take the tool home from the store with you. But even the sturdiest blade will dull over time. When it does you need to be equipped to respond to the situation appropriately. Not only will a good axe sharpener keep your tool performing optimally but it will also extend its life expectancy.
Bottom line, if you have an axe you need an axe sharpener as well. Not only that but you’ll probably want to get your hands on a decent one. The good news for you is that we know the market. We’ve studied it, performed the tests. What we have for you here is a comprehensive guide filled with the best options available.
In first we have the Fiskars Xsharp axe and knife sharpener. This unit earned itself our top slot by being hyper efficient and versatile. This ceramic sharpener prizes speed, allowing you to sharpen your blades in a few short moments.
The ceramic wheel is able to effortlessly sharpen either side of the blade for optimal efficiency. It’s also durable featuring a fiberglass exterior that will be able to stand up against extensive use.
Last but not least, you even get the benefit of a safety guard—an extra security component that keeps your fingers away from the blades as they are being sharpened.
To top things off, the Fiskars is also pretty affordable, making it a great option for buyers who are trying to stick to a tight budget.
All in all, it succeeds in pretty much every area you could hope for. There is one problem that some users will come across. If you own axes with particularly thick blades, you may have a hard time using this sharpener. The opening slit that allows for sharpening is somewhat narrow meaning that not very blade will fit.
This is a little bit disappointing to see, but for the average, moderate sized blade, you still shouldn’t have any problems.
Otherwise it is a great sharpener available at a fair price.
In second we have the GransforsBruks 4034 sharpening stone. This ceramic stone allows you to sharpen your axe the old fashioned way.
The unit comes with two different sides, coarse and smooth, to better help you optimize your sharpening tactic, and can be used with or without water.
If you want to go with the sharpening stone method, you won’t find many better options out there.
However, there are two built in cons common to this method. First is the matter of speed. This unit will be notably slower than the last that we looked. If you favor precision over rapidity, it won’t necessarily be a problem. However, it is still a factor to look out for.
There is also the matter of price. This unit is substantially more expensive than our top pick. If you want to hand sharpen your axe with a great tool, you might not mind paying the extra money. Otherwise, you might favor something that is a little bit easier on the wallet.
These things said, for buyers that want a sharpening stone, this is a strong candidate to keep in mind.
Slower than last option we looked at.
Third, and selected as our best for the money product, the Smith’s 50582 Axe and Machete sharpener. This tool is going to be perfect for buyers that need to sharpen a variety of tools but don’t want to drop a lot of lute doing it.
There is more to like about the sharpener than its price tag, of course. The 50582 comes with an oversized handle that keeps your hands a safe distance away from the blades.
It also features replaceable carbide blades used to sharpen your tools. Since the blades can be replaced, it will increase the overall life expectancy of the 50582.
It even comes with a wire bristled cleaning brush to make basic maintenance easy.
These things said, there are some problems. The biggest problem is that the sharpener leaves behind marks on the blade when you sharpen it. If you’re using it on cheapo bargain tools, you might not mind so much. But if this is to be used on your favorite axes, machetes, etc, you probably won’t appreciate the marks.
It also just can’t make a blade quite as sharp as some of the other, nicer options on the market. It will make a dull blade usable again, but it probably won’t make a tool good as new.
Of course, if you’re just trying to save a few dollars on a basic sharpener, these are probably problems you will be willing to overlook.
Then we have the Nicholson 06706N. Not only did this unit come in fourth on our list, but we’ve also identified it as the best axe sharpening file available to consumers.
Files are a basic but effective means of sharpening a variety of different tools. This option is affordable, it features two edges for sharpening the blade, and it does a good job of keeping your fingers away from sharp edges while you work.
However, there are still some reasons it finds itself towards the bottom of our list. Durability is one such concern. The case hardened steel feels tough, but does succumb to wear and tear after a while, which may leave the file useless sooner than you’d expect.
There is also the issue of sharpness. Once again, you won’t get the same refined edge provided by say, our top-choice.
Still, it is an efficient means of sharpening your tools if you are on a tight budget.
Penultimately we look at the Sharp Pebble Sharpening Stone. This moderately priced product has a decent amount going for it at first glance. The medium grit sharpening stone features a large service to work on to make a dull edge refined again.
It looks good, and will be able to work with anything from kitchen knives to full on axes. But what it has in versatility it lacks in other departments.
The biggest concern we’ve seen comes directly from consumers. Many have reported that the stone left nicks, streaks, and other imperfections on their blade.
The unit also seems to favor smaller tools over larger ones.
If you do have a knife set, or some other tool you aren’t extremely partial to, this might do the trick. However, many buyers might find their money better spent on something a little bit more reliable.
You don’t often think about people sharpening scissors, but if you need to, Sharpal has got your back. The last unit we will look at today is the 112N3-in 1 Knife, Axe & Scissors sharpener. This unit features an oversized handle and a durable build that both make it comfortable to use.
At a first look, it actually seems like an ok product. However, there are concerns that compromise its value. Like several of the lower end units we’ve seen today, it will leave behind streak marks on your blades.
It will also struggle with broader items, such as saws, machetes etc.
It does work well on knives, garden sheers and the like, but if you’re looking for something that will work with heavier duty tools, you will want to keep looking.
Well, there you are. Six axe sharpening tool reviews, but only one product that will ultimately be right for your needs. Choosing is hard, isn’t it? But it doesn’t need to be quite as challenging as you might think.
We have actually left you with a couple of suitable suggestions for a diverse range of buyers. For instance, if you think quality is king, you may be partial to the Fiskars Xsharp axe and knife sharpener. This versatile tool will help you keep a nice edge on many of your favorite tools.
Or, if you need something a little bit more affordable, you might opt for the Smith’s 50582 axe and machete sharpener. Our best for the money pick should be perfect for budget buyers that still demand the best of the best.
Of course, at the end of the day these are just our recommendations. You will need to decide for yourself which option is right for your needs.
We’ve taken a look at other types of axe-sharpening methods. That guide can be found here.