Not very - it doesn't need to be. Sharpened and re-profiled it with a 80 grit flap disc on angle grinder and took it to polishing wheel + leather strop. The shine is just for the looks.

[–] KevonLooney@lemm.ee 33 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Good. You probably don't want a hatchet to be that sharp. You're not going to be doing anything delicate with it. Sharp blades have the edge bend or break easily.

[–] ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee 33 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, edge that sharp serves no purpose on axe. It'll bend and then be dull again. Shallower point with the burr removed is more durable and stays sharp(ish) for much longer.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 5 points 10 months ago

Thx, I was looking for this bit of context - somehow the possibility you made it sharp "bcs it's better" made me uneasy.
I'm glad it's done properly.

[–] n3m37h@sh.itjust.works 4 points 10 months ago

All depends on the quality of the metal, the angle of the apex and the direction you sharpen the blade in.

Parallel bad, perpendicular good

[–] Bridger@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Never used a carving hatchet, eh?

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 0 points 10 months ago

Completely disagree! I’m into axe’s. Have been four years. Shit, anything with an edge.

I’ll tell you something straight up, a dull axe is dangerous. A dull axe glances. A sharp axe sticks.

Period.

[–] Geometrinen_Gepardi@sopuli.xyz 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What grit was the polishing wheel and what effect did the strop have after polishing?

[–] ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee 17 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I have no idea. It was one of those black fibre ones that you attach to a drill. I had originally used it to polish stainless steel after welding. Stropping is the difference between reflecting light and reflecting image

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Oh, you did that with a drill? I was imagining an arduous, hours long, hand polishing job. It looks great!

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Can you shave with it?

[–] ContrarianTrail@lemm.ee 19 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Not even close. That level of sharpness would only matter on axe if you intend to use it as a weapon. Chopping wood with edge like that would just bend it and make it dull prematurely.

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Or chip the blade.

[–] nexussapphire@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

I don't think it's hardened. Softer steel doesn't tend to chip and harder steel is more difficult to sharpen.

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 5 points 10 months ago

Absolutely, that level of sharpness would be detrimental, but was just wondering how much you overdid it.