Best file for sharpening machetes

[Geoffrey]

Hi guys, now that I have got the kukri taken care of I am thinking of putting an old machete of mine back into service. Its an old Guatamalan machete. I plan to put some wood handle slabs on it and reprofile the blade. What type and grit of file would be best for some edge profile work? I will follow that up with a nice benchstone.

Thanks guys.

 

[MartiniDave]

I use a coarse waterstone (600 grit I think) for salvaging older or neglected blades. Supplied by Axminster as usual.
You can get hoe files from agricultural suppliers if the blade is really bad.

Dave

 

[OhCanada]

Hey Geoffrey, have you looked at Lee Valley? They have a file they sell for axes and cost under $10.

I'm going to get one this weekend and you can try it out.

 

[bothyman]

I use a small flat chainsaw file I think it is made or should I say supplied by Oregon the chainsaw people.
And they are small enough to carry in your bag.
It takes it off neatly and not too quickly .
They are used for filing down the depth gauge on the chain.
You should be able to get them from anywhere that has anything to do with chainsaws.
But make sure you get a good one and not a Toy one, if you know what I mean. :roll:

MickT :wave: :biggthump

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

Machetes are an agricultural and brush clearing tool. With that constant use the soft steels that roll vs chip and need to be trued, much like an old crosscut saw. A good steel or even judicious hammering on an anvil saves a lot of file work. I just use a fine mill ******* on mine.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Would a Gransfors Bruks double sided axe stone be OK? It has impressed me.