OK I just got a cheap axe, got a good profile for cutting/splitting (as far as I can tell after looking at various tutorials
) It only cost a couple of quid
Good man! That's the way to do it!
But the big problem is that it duller than the a matt black paint. So whats the best/easiest way to get a decent edge on it and with what?
It isn't a big problem, it's easily fixed. BushEd is right, you can do it with an abrasive cloth, but if the axe is as blunt as some of the ones I've seen in the DIY stores it will take days like that. I'd use a grinding wheel, it would probably take less than a minute. I don't bother with anything more than that and I chop up several tonnes of wood per year with axes.
The machinery which turns abrasive wheels, and the wheels themselves have some bad habits. The edge of the wheel and any bits of grit and metal that it throws around will probably be doing 80-100 metres per second. They will also be glowing red-hot. You do not want them getting in your eyes. The wheel can get hold of clothing, hair, skin etc. and pull it into the machine at that same speed. You won't even realize that you've lost a finger until a second or two after it's gone. If a wheel has a manufacturing defect (rare) or if you abuse it (all too easily done) it can shatter -- which is a bit like a grenade going off. It is not safe to use this kind of stuff without some training. As you're in the Midlands if you can drop by M1 J28 I'll be glad to give your axe an edge for you, and give you some very quick guidance on the use of abrasive wheels. If you have a friend that can do it just make sure the edge doesn't get overheated. Take several fine cuts rather than one heavy cut, so that the heat has time to dissipate into the head.
If the edge of the axe is very hard you might not get anywhere with a file, but it's worth a try if you don't mind risking damage to the file. Ideally you'll want a good vice mounted on a strong bench and a big file. If you drop round I can show you those too.
I prefer the edge on an axe not to be too fine, especially as I do a lot more more splitting than felling/lopping/trimming. I very rarely use a maul, just for really tough knotty trunks. Get a lump hammer and make few wedges for when you get the axe stuck.
If it does get stuck, don't hit an axe head with a hammer and don't use it as a hammer unless the head was designed with that use in mind, otherwise it will damage the head plus there's a danger of flying shrapnel. Don't lever the handle of an axe unduly to try to free it. That's why you made the wedges, and it's why they make mauls, frows and other tools.
