Sharpening A Tomahawk

[Ojibwe]

I'd like to start off by saying hello to everyone who would be reading this thread, and to thank those of you who may be able to help me with this problem.

Recently, my brother-in-law bought a Native American Tomahawk. He has asked me to see if it's possible to sharpen it for him, as he is frequently busy and isn't much of a 'take time out' kind of person.

Now, the problem being is, I do not know whether it is sharpenable. I can tell anyone able to help that the steel is 440 stainless and was made in China (which, as I stressed to him, isn't exactly a good sign of the tomahawk's sturdiness)

He has also asked me to secure the head more firmly to the wood and to generally put it into a worthy condition for use. I was also wondering whether a purchase of the Gransfors Bruks sharpening kit (diamond file and sharpening stone) would be in order? Any suggestions on making this tomahawk useable for him would be brilliant and helpful.

Thank you.

 

[Cody]

Now, the problem being is, I do not know whether it is sharpenable.

Of course you can sharpen it, you can sharpen any steel. Whether or not it takes (and keeps) a great edge or not is beyond me. I have had both good and bad tools made of 440 stainless.

May I warn you, the Gransfors sharpening kit has quite the price on it. However, it's probably worth the investment. But I do believe that an axe file & axe stone will cost a bit more than actually buying one of their forest axes. Could be wrong, but I believe that's whats up.

I have heard a lot of good about Gransfors' sharpening kit, don't get me wrong. But I'd personally only purchase that kit if I were about to build a cabin or something where vigorous sharpening would be required for more than one edged tool. But as of now, I just use a 1x3 inch EZE-lap diamond stone. Probably doesn't hone quite as nice as the Gransfors sharpening kit, but it definitely does the job. And if your friends got a 440 stainless hawk (made in china at that), I'm sure he'll settle for something cheaper than the Gransfors' sharpening kit.

 

[Jus_like_that]

Here try this, http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/Skills-General/How-to-Sharpen-an-Axe.html

Its by that legend British Red, Really good tutorial and shows you the Cheap way of sharpening

 

[philaw]

You could always post a couple of close-up photos of the edge, then someone could give you some tips on where to start.

Personally, I just got my hatchet sharp enough to cut the thick skin on the palm of my hand yesterday. It was the first time I'd got it sharp enough and I was genuinely, perversely happy. After polishing the edge, it now seems worse!! Persistence may be in order for both of us.

 

[Ojibwe]

I'll probably give the Gransfors Bruks Kit a try.

I will do some photos, but, alas, as I'm new to this Forum, and website for that matter, could I be informed on how it is that you post photos?

Best Regards and thank you for the help so far,

Tom

 

[Graham_S]

for sharpening a tomahawk, I'd use the wet 'n dry and a mousemat.
that's what I used for my cold steel riflemans hawk.
No need to spend all that money on the GB set.

 

[Ojibwe]

I informed my brother-in-law once more of the danger that the quality of the steel and it's poor construction would only hinder it's real life use, and, to make a long story short, he has now taken the Tomahawk off my hands. I'd like to thank those of you that helped me out with this small problem.

Cheers lads