GB Axe Stone: Natural or Ceramic?

[The Cumbrian]

I'll be buying a GB Axe Stone soon, and I'm wondering if anyone has used both the natural and ceramic types.

Which do you rate the highest, or is there not much difference?

Cheers, Michael.

 

[ozzy1977]

I have the natural stone one, although it will maintain an edge it will not take out chips, and it is quite slow going I wish I had gone for a DMT double sided file now, with coarse and fine sides.

 

[Samon]

I wouldn't bother with any thing like that. The only time I've ever bothered doing more than a standard knife style sharpening on an axe is when there are dents and edge damage. And then its easier and faster to use a small file!

Funny actually, I'm at a family members house ATM and there old axe is beaten to hell! But I Cant find a file! Its really really bugging me!

If yo want an all in one package like a stone claims to offer then a DMT diamond sharpener would be good. I've heard good things about them and I have used diamond blocks on my beaten up axes in the past pretty effectively.

 

[British Red]

The GB axe stone is intended to be used after filing - they also sell two double sided files (one coarse I think b@stard grade, one two grades of diamond). I think the GB axe files are excellent quality but a scary price - but short 3" files are hard to find. The puck works fine - I have the natural one - for its intended honing purpose - but as said if the blade is far gone its not the right tool. Having several grades of sharpener - from aggressive metal removal to fine polishing does make sense - no one tool can both remove lots of metal quickly and give a good finish.

If I needed a field sharpener for an axe from the GB school it would be the diamond file.

 

[The Cumbrian]

Has anybody used both and can offer a comparison?

 

[Clouston98]

I have the ceramic stone and diamond file and they are both the gransfors ones. Great quality and keep my axes lovel and sharp!

Hope this helps!

 

[Dave]

I use the Lansky Puck stone, which is about a quarter of the price of a GB puck stone, and it works brilliantly.