To help those who know nothing about axes separate the wheat from the chaff in online forums, and to hopefully help all of us identify whether an axe we’ve bought is good or not, we’ll be looking at what “normal” is for a given axe head, because it’s important to use the right axe for the job and of course, proper care of your axe, once you’ve found it acceptable, is also important. When you sharpen your axe, you should wear gloves of some sort. You simply don’t need those tools to achieve a basic edge on your tool, and even then, power tools like those can ruin the maul’s edge, making it brittle and useless. The important part is to not over sharpen it; again, don’t go crazy and make the edge super sharp, your goal is to simply keep your tool from bouncing off the wood your’e splitting. That is not always the cause, as some wood is naturally more hard to split, hence making the splitting maul bounce off even if it’s not blunt, but most of the time it really depends on whether the edge has some sharpness to it, or is absolutely blunt. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I suggest buying a longer one, such as the suggested 12 inch (31 cm), because it will be easier to use, and after all, you will be able to use it on more than just sharpening a maul. It’s obvious that a splitting maul shouldn’t be as sharp as something like an axe, because after all, it is used for splitting wood not chopping a tree down. These cookies do not store any personal information. A pair of light cotton gloves will protect your hands and fingers from nicks and cuts, which can be nasty if you make your axe very sharp. A general rule is to sharpen the axe blade at an angle of 25 ° to 30 °. Ensuring the right shape axe head for the job is the key to success. how to tell if your axe is ground properly. All you really need is a bastard’s file (link to Amazon). Perhaps this may be due to variations in the production of axes, or even type of axe, but it may also have something to do with the fact that what people have learned about axes was not learned from an authoritative source. Ochsenkopf has an axe selector to help you, but you can also tell from the shape of the head, to a certain extent, if you’re using the right axe for the job. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The convexity of the grind is proportional to the hardness of the wood to be cut. The next most important way to ensure quality in your axe is to choose the right axe for the job you’re going to do. The Ox 16 H double bit axe once favored by lumberjacks) in the Iltis series features two faces – one of which is ground more finely for felling the tree and the other side is a tad more blunt for de-limbing. In either case, finding the right balance could be tricky, but with experience should become easier. Ochsenkopf has an axe selector to help you, but you can also tell from the shape of the head, to a certain extent, if you’re using the right axe for the job. Should You Split Firewood Green Or Seasoned? Look up different websites and forums where people have discussions about it, and answers differ quite a bit from yes to no, from slightly sharp to a lot. Ochsenkopf prefers to hone their axes to a cambered (arch-shaped, also referred to as crowned cutting form) edge as opposed to knife edge sharp as it cuts virtually the same and extends the life of the blade. Anyways, now on to the actual tutorial, and it should be pretty self explanatory. Use Coupon Code "PRECISION10" at checkout. Ochsenkopf axes are forged from C60 steel – a common steel for tools and axes – due to its toughness. Brand New Models of KNIPEX Precision Electronic Pliers 10% OFF! Problem is, it’s actually quite controversial. For starters, despite a very small amount of online chatter about Ochsenkopf casting their axe heads, they actually do forge them. But what is the optimal sharpness for an axe? Make a purchase of over $150 of Klein Tools products to receive one FREE Klein Tools Wall Clock. An axe should be sharpened on a regular basis, perhaps with every half-hour of use or each time a tree is cut down. At the moment, we’ll be looking specifically at Ochsenkopf because some of their axe-making wisdom can apply to axes in general because what’s true about the shape of one axe and how it chops should carry across to any brand. Subscribe to receive news regarding special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. To perform a more precise job, experts advise, the angle should be of 15 or 20 °. The important part is to not over sharpen it; again, don’t go crazy and make the edge super sharp, your goal is to simply keep your tool from bouncing off the wood your’e splitting. Lastly, for good “all-round” work encompassing all three functions (felling, de-limbing, and splitting), Ochsenkopf’s Universal axes are the way to go because they’re kind of a hybrid of the other two types.