Sharpen a machete?

[Backon4]

I've got a cold steel kukri that has been used and abused. It's time for a decent sharpening. Is there a special way to do it?

[Oh Shoot]

File mostly, if really beat up. And/or some big stone you can hold onto. Lansky Puck is nice:

And not too thinly sharp, assuming it's really for machete work and not beheading bad guys.

- OS

[Jonnin]

yea a file to shape an edge then a couple of the rough stones to clean it up. No need to take it much past that if you are using it on brush and so on, the sharper you make it, the faster you will dull it, it just needs to be "lawnmower" sharp. You can even do a one sided edge if you like, for yard work.

[R1100R]

I have one and use a lawn mower blade sharpner. Then clean it up with a rough stone.

[Guest Broomhead]

I just picked up a tool sharpening kit for my Dremel and I'm anxious to try it out. It has three attachments, one for chainsaws, one for mower blades, and one for tools. It comes with four different stones, three different grits for chainsaws, and one bigger rough one for the mower and tool attachments. The chainsaw attachment has to be eyeballed to line everything up, but its pretty simple. The mower and tool ones have a set bevel but there is some wiggle room to match the existing bevel. I would think experimenting with different size/shaped stone bits would yield different angles.

[Lumber_Jack]

I just picked up a tool sharpening kit for my Dremel and I'm anxious to try it out. It has three attachments, one for chainsaws, one for mower blades, and one for tools. It comes with four different stones, three different grits for chainsaws, and one bigger rough one for the mower and tool attachments. The chainsaw attachment has to be eyeballed to line everything up, but its pretty simple. The mower and tool ones have a set bevel but there is some wiggle room to match the existing bevel. I would think experimenting with different size/shaped stone bits would yield different angles.

Let us know how it works. Be careful, I would think you could ruin a good chainsaw chain in a hurry with that. I'd say a machete would be fine regardless. I usually just use a mill fill or an old sithe stone.

[Guest Broomhead]

I have previously just used a file myself. My latest machete, the only non-Walmart cheapo I've ever had, was so dinged a blunt that it wouldn't cut air. We have also had the need to sharpen mower blades this summer which took way too long with a file for the same reasons. The instructions do say to run the Dremel at a medium-high speed and go very slowly on each tooth. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it this week, though its looking doubtful.

[Guest FTG-05]

I just used a grinder with a flapwheel for the last two machetes I recently sharpened. I reprofiled both edges, now they're much better.

Good luck.

[peejman]

I just picked up a tool sharpening kit for my Dremel and I'm anxious to try it out. It has three attachments, one for chainsaws, one for mower blades, and one for tools. It comes with four different stones, three different grits for chainsaws, and one bigger rough one for the mower and tool attachments. The chainsaw attachment has to be eyeballed to line everything up, but its pretty simple. The mower and tool ones have a set bevel but there is some wiggle room to match the existing bevel. I would think experimenting with different size/shaped stone bits would yield different angles.

Our local farmer's co-op will sharpen a chainsaw chain with their fancy machine for $5 off the saw. It takes maybe 15 minutes. When the last sharp chain goes on the saw, the other 3 go to be sharpened.

The last machete I sharpened (which has been a long time ago) I did with a belt sander. Just don't get it too hot.

[vaiger]

Sorry to divert the thread, but harbor freight has had a coupon out for an electric chain saw sharpener for 29.99. It is fantastic! I sharpened my three blades first day and three for my dad the next. Probably 5-10 minutes per blade. It made me want to throw away my files.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[Lumber_Jack]

I think y'all may need a lesson in filing a saw chain (no offense intended). 10-15min max should be all it takes to get it cutting 2"long ribbons of wood.

I learned while a sawyer in the Forest Service, it does take some practice but is quite efficient. Although $5 a chain is pretty dang cheap

[peejman]

I think y'all may need a lesson in filing a saw chain (no offense intended). 10-15min max should be all it takes to get it cutting 2"long ribbons of wood.

I learned while a sawyer in the Forest Service, it does take some practice but is quite efficient. Although $5 a chain is pretty dang cheap

Ok... educate us.

[Mike.357]

When i need to use my machete i run it up against a bench grinder.

Only takes a few seconds and BAM, wacks the crap out of brush

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I got good use out of a lawnmower sharpener bit attached to an electric drill for years, but would probably use belt sander now that I have one. Hand-held angle grinder or bench grinder would work fine, but at my low skill level a belt sander makes it more difficult to completely ruin the job.