Help Me Pick Axe and Machete Sharpening Stones

[ncrockclimb]

I am not much of an axe and machete guy. Living in central AZ and camping in the desert, I don't find a lot of use for either tool. However, last year I camped more in the northern part of the state and used my small axe more often than usual. I actually had a few trips where I would have liked to sharpen the axe while in the field. With that in mind, I am thinking about buying a few stones to take with me.

I have been looking at Baryonyx.com, and think I have found what I want. For dealing with any serious damage,I am considering a Lansky Heavy Duty Sharpner (70 grit). For normal sharpening / edge touch-up, I am considering getting an Angelo B. "Smeriglio" Scythe Stone (200 grit) and a Falci "Enzian" Scythe Stone (360 grit).

So, what do you think? Are those three stones overkill? Is the grit progression 70 / 200 / 360 too steep? Should I consider different / more stones? I don't know much about machetes / axes, and would appreciate any info that you guys would like to share.

Thanks!!!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Rather than the Smeriglio I'd advise the Lansky "canoe" model. Not only am I out of the Smeriglio at the moment, but it'd be a bit soft for that particular application. It's a very rapid-cutting stone with a low bond strength and I find it best for setting a toothy slicing edge. The Lansky is a medium bond that'll leave a somewhat smoother scratch pattern that'll have enough tooth for the machete to bite lush leaves and juicy stalks well while being easy to polish out with the Enzian on the axe.

 

[ncrockclimb]

Thank you very much for the reply. I have learned a bunch from your posts here and really appreciate your input!

So, just to be clear, you suggest that I get the Lansky Heavy Duty Sharpner (70 grit), Lansky "canoe" (280 grit) and the Falci "Enzian" Scythe Stone (360 grit)? How different are the Lansky canoe and the Falci "Enzian"? Also, just out of curiosity, how would a diamond stone (like a DMT diafold coarse) work on an axe?

BTW, since you are looking at this thread, I have an off-topic question: do you prefer the Condor Parang (24") or the Condor Golok (20.5") as an all purpose machete / chopper? Any additional feedback on either of these machetes and how they compare to each other would be greatly appreciated.

Again, thanks for being so helpful and sharing your experience. I am sure that I am only one of MANY people here that have greatly benefited from your posts.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Happy to help!

The Lansky canoe and the Enzian are pretty different. The Enzian is both finer and a harder bond. The Heavy Duty does a good job of doing file-level repair without being subject to dulling like a file can if mistreated and the Lansky canoe cuts fast while leaving a decent medium-tooth edge. The Enzian then cleans it up further from there, especially if you finish with light strokes. A diamond stone works fine on axes--they just require a different touch in use and different care to keep them functioning at their best.

As far as the Parang vs. the Golok I'd say that the Golok is the more general-duty of the two, though which one I'd opt for would depend on the range of tasks I was planning to use it for. I see the Parang as an excellent choice for dealing with high volumes of scrub growth like when doing trail maintenance. Stuff ranging between pinky and thumb thickness, possibly dead, dry, and full of hardened resin. The Parang will blast right through that kind of stuff while giving you enough reach not to get too close to the sharp ends of those snagging branches.