Tips for Longevity and Performance in Maintaining and Sharpening Your Bearded Axe
The rampant appearance of a bearded axe makes it a cool-looking collectible item and a useful tool that can significantly help you in your household. However, it also requires much attention to ensure years of service. So, how do you receive the maximum from this tool and maintain its quality over time? We’re revealing the best tips for your axe longevity in the next sections.
Understanding the Structure of the Bearded Axe
The structure of this formidable tool is quite simple. The bearded axe consists of the handle itself and the head, including the blade, a sharpened edge, and the so-called “beard”. Each of the parts of your axe will require a certain set of practices and care to prevent it from corrosion, dullness, and overall performance decrease.
Techniques For the General Axe Maintenance
Basic tips are always essential for increasing the longevity and effectiveness of your tool. Meanwhile, many bearded axe owners regularly neglect those regular but effective techniques. Below, we provide you with three main tips that will help keep your bearded axe in great shape for years.
Overall Cleaning
Regular and full cleaning of your bearded axe is something that will help you to keep it in an impeccable state much easier. It’s crucial to conduct a thorough cleaning after each axe use.
Regular Inspections
Systematic inspections help identify the issues, that without the attention, might have turned into serious problems. These inspections usually include checking the blade for dullness or chips, and the handle for splinters or cracks. However special attention should always be paid to the connection between the handle and the head since the loosehead can cause a lot of potential dangers during the tool use.
Rust Prevention
Rust is the most dangerous enemy of your axe’s blade. However, the good news is that the market is full of various rust-prevention substances such as oils and sprays. Mineralled oils as well as linseed oils are greatly known for their excellent rust-prevention characteristics. Just make sure to apply the necessary amount of chosen remedy on the axe after a full cleaning and forget about the rusty blade forever.
Storage Tips That Will Prolong Your Axe Effectiveness
Proper storage is another bit in your axe-caring routine. Only the proper storing itself is an important and separate routine, that can significantly decrease the occurrence of any issues with your blade. So what are the pieces of advice to store your bearded axe correctly?
Storage in dry places. Keeping your axe in a dry space without the direct influence of the sun's rays is the number one rule for your axe storage. Thus, you reduce the possibility of corrosion and handle deterioration caused by moisture and wet environments.
Usage of protective covers. Also, do not forget to use special sheets to protect the blade and the handle from damage.
Regular axe checks. Last but not least, remember to periodically check your bearded axe, even though you do not plan to use it. Despite all the precautions, it’s crucial to inspect your axe regularly to prevent any serious problems.
What Are the Best Tips For Proper Bearded Axe Sharpening?
Sharpening is a specific process that requires patience and a certain amount of knowledge, to complete the procedure correctly. Therefore, this process is essential to maintain the proper performance of your axe, prevent any dangers during your work with the wood, and make the work process as pleasant as possible.
Understand the Age and Angle
Understanding the angle of your axe’s blade is crucial before starting the process of the sharpening. Most axes used on working with dry wood require an angle of 20-25 degrees. Therefore, each blade’s side should receive a sharpening of 10 to 12 degrees. This level of sharpness is optional for providing you with excellent results during your work with an axe.
Use the Proper Technique
Whether you are using a grinder a sharpening stone or a file, maintenance of the proper technique ensures the best result from the process. Therefore, it’s always crucial to start your sharpening by cleaning the age from any dirt. After that make sure to choose the coarse grit sharpening for the initial sharpening and proceed to the fine grit for the honing.
Hone and Polish the Blade
After the initial sharpening with the coarse grit, the fine grit is required to remove all the burrs that might have been caused at the beginning. For that matter, sharpen your axe with light strokes and less pressure just to improve the sharpness. Use the special honing compound or a leather strip to complete the sharpening and polish the blade.
Maintain the Sharpening Schedule
Keeping a constant sharpening schedule is integral for ensuring the longevity and exceptional performance of your bearded axe. Sharpening is not only the process that provides you with an effective tool but also something that reduces the risks of the dull head of your axe. Regular sharpening reduces the efforts that are required for work with the wood, which can reduce the possibility of a dull head appearance.
Conclusion
Proper care and a constant sharpening schedule can drastically increase your axe’s performance and longevity. With attention and care, this formidable tool will not only become a great addition to your weapon collection but also an effective instrument that might be used in your household. Make sure to check it regularly, prevent it from corrosion and rusting, and this axe will serve you faithfully for many years.
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