10 Best Hunting Knife

Best Hunting Knife in 2023

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7 Tools for Sharpening Your Hunting Knife and Axe

This article discusses seven tools that can be used to sharpen your hunting knife an axe.

Hunting knives and axes are essential tools and therefore must be kept sharp. Some folks opt to take their tools to a professional sharpener and others prefer to do it themselves. Doing it yourself is really not that difficult or expensive. The hardest part is wading through all the sharpening tools available in order to decide what one you want to use. With that said, here's a quick rundown on a few of them:

1. Pedal Grindstone

Using a pedal grindstone is one of my favorite ways to sharpen hunting tools because it reminds me of my childhood. My grandfather kept a pedal grindstone in the basement and he used it to sharpen all sorts of instruments. I remember climbing up onto the seat for the first time and trying to reach the treadles. I thought it was a funny looking bicycle. I was quickly informed that it wasn't a bike, it was a tool. Nowadays, most people refer to them as artifacts and use other sharpening methods instead. However, there are a few working pedal grindstones still out there. That's why I included it on the list.

2. Water Stones

Water stones come in two basic varieties, synthetic and natural. They work well when used indoors or out in the woods because you use them with water and not oil. Oil can be a bit messy to use depending on where you are working. You can use water stones to remove burrs as well as sharpen blades. They also come in various grits. Basically, you rub the blade against the stone in order to sharpen it. You can typically pick one up online through a specialty retailer for $15 to $75.

3. Oil Stones

Oil stones are similar to water stones, only you use them with oil. They tend to retail online for $21 to $35 each and may be used for sharpening as well as removing burrs. Some companies also make combination stones.

4. Grinding Wheels

Grinding wheels are used with a grinding machine. The motorized wheel makes the sharpening process go quickly. However, sharpening your hunting tools with a grinding wheel can get pricey. This is especially the case if you don't already have a grinder in your tool arsenal. Grinding wheels vary in price but can cost more than $50 a piece depending on the grit selected.

5. Leather Strops

Leather strops may also be used to sharpen some hunting knives but generally only work as a finishing option. Instead of investing in a $16 piece of leather strop, some hunters opt to use cheap leather belts in a pinch. The belts will work just as long as you treat them liberally with oil first. Personally, I'd suggest sticking with the leather strop unless you have no other choice.

6. Mill Files

Mill files tend to come in handy when you want to smooth out edges or repair damaged areas on axes. They are typically used in conjunction with a vice. The vise is used to hold the blade in place during the sharpening process. Prices for mill files typically start at $10.

7. Steels

Steels can be a hunter's best friend when it comes to periodic sharpening while field dressing game. They are easy to carry and easy to use. All you need to do is place the tip of the blade firmly against the steel. Then push the blade forward until the base of the blade touches the steel. Repeat the procedure several times on each side of the blade until it is sharp. Prices for knife sharpening steels generally start around $10.

Killeen Gonzalez enjoys the great outdoors with her family and has traveled extensively.

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