An axe is nothing without an axe sharpener. Your axe needs to always be sharp in order to chop wood efficiently. This is because a dull and worn-out blade will only make your task even more difficult.
Well, the question arises that with a number of options available, which one should you choose? Leave that to us.
Make your way through the following to get some knowledge of the best axe sharpener currently trending in the market. Let’s get started!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Axe Sharpener
Comparison of the Best Axe Sharpeners
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Our Top Pick ![]() |
| View Latest Price → |
![]() |
| View Latest Price → |
![]() |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option ![]() |
| View Latest Price → |
![]() |
| View Latest Price → |
Are All Axe Sharpeners The Same?
No, not all the axe sharpeners are the same. There are several types of axe sharpeners on the market to choose from, according to your needs. The types include:
Electric Axe Sharpeners
This is typically a motorized device driven by electricity. Simply plug it into a source and start sharpening your axe at the desired angle.
Files
One of the most common tools being used to sharpen an axe is a file. A file with an extremely dull edge can be used to manually sharpen your axe by keeping it at a specific angle to the edge of the blade and making some continuous strokes.
Wetstones
Stones are also used to sharpen some smaller-sized edges. These are extremely portable and, therefore, can be carried around easily. You can combine them with some lubricant, either oil or water, to allow easy sharpening.
Bench Grinders
In order to sharpen a two-sided axe, a bench grinder is considered as an ideal choice. You have to clamp your axe in the bench vice and apply some pressure while grinding. Make sure to keep a water bucket nearby in order to cool off the axe head.
Pucks
A puck can be used to sharpen a range of axe blades. You can use a lubricant and start working in small circles on each side of the blade.
How to Choose an Axe Sharpener
With all the sharpeners available in the market, choosing a great axe sharpener can be tiresome. Therefore, you need to consider a few features before making a purchase. It will ease your decision-making, plus you will end up having the model best-suited to your demands.
High-Quality Product
You should never compromise on the quality of an axe sharpener. Therefore, it is quite important to look for a model that is made of high-quality material so you won’t regret splurging money on it.
Budget-Friendly
Another thing to look for in a great product is whether it lies within your budget. Whether you are ready to spend a lot of cash on a model, or are on a strict budget, try to invest in a product that is durable and comes with all the desired features.
User-Friendly
Make sure the axe sharpener you choose is easy to use. Working with a blade is quite dangerous, therefore, you must adopt some safety measures, as well.
Grit Number
Axe sharpeners often offer a wide range of grit numbers. There are usually three grit numbers available in the market:
- Coarse
- Medium
- Fine
In order to remove small notches present on the blade, a rough sharpening stone of grit 250 will do fine.
Review of the Best Axe Sharpeners
This was all about the features you should look for in a product, while heading to purchase one. Now move forward to our next section that discusses the details of our top-picked products.
Let’s jump in!
Best Overall:
Smith’s Axe and Machete Sharpener
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This sharpener has gained quite the popularity among its users for its exceptional features. This is the reason it is our top-pick product. It is highly admired for its easy handling and compact size. This makes it user-friendly, plus it can be taken anywhere you want.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for an axe sharpener that can turn a dull blade into a sharp one within a few minutes, then you must get your hands on Smith’s Axe and Machete Sharpener. It is equipped with a number of features, including a firm and easy to handle shape. Moreover, the coarse carbide blades are always ready to sharpen both surfaces of the blade in a short time.
Who Will Use This Most
Smith’s Axe and Machete Sharpener is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to have a great axe sharpener that can sharpen their axe in a short time. It can be used for a variety of blades, including axes, machetes, and hatchets.
Bottom Line
An extraordinary product with a great set of features, the Smith’s Axe and Machete Sharpener is not to be missed. It is a safe and easy to handle product that can sharpen your cutting tools effortlessly. Given its excellent functioning, it is one of the best picks.
Runner-up:
Lansky Puck – Dual-Grit Blade & Tool Sharpener
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This axe sharpener has received many positive reviews from its customers. Another loved thing about this model is its light weight that makes it highly portable. Moreover, it comes with a combination of two different stones. All of these features make it a really good product for many users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A puck with a combination of two different sides, this Lansky Puck – Dual-Grit Blade & Tool Sharpener is surely a convenient and safe-to-use product due to its contoured grip shape. It has one coarse 120-grit side for rapid cutting and another medium 280-grit side that can be used for finishing the edge efficiently.
Who Will Use This Most
It can be used for a variety of purposes. Anyone who needs a small and portable product that can be carried around easily should definitely get this model. It can be efficiently used for sharpening lawnmowers, shovels, and axe blades, in addition to other cutting tools.
Bottom Line
A great product with a number of features, the Lansky Puck – Dual-Grit Blade & Tool Sharpener is not to be missed. It is a perfect and safe axe sharpener to use both on the field and at home. It's also quite versatile, making it a good pick!
Best for the Money:
Fiskars Axe and Knife Sharpener

Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report?
This model has gained many reviews full of praise from its users due to its fine features. It is quite admired for its easy-to-handle design that comes with two sharpeners. Moreover, it is available at a relatively low price that is suitable for many users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Equipped with two sharpeners in a single device, the Fiskars Axe and Knife Sharpener is a great choice for axes and knives. It has a ceramic grindstone that can efficiently cut the grooves for axes. Moreover, its compact design makes it highly portable, which is a highlight of this product.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is really a great choice for anyone on a tight budget. It comes with a low price tag and can be carried around easily due to its small size. Moreover, it can be used to sharpen any of your favorite tools in a few minutes.
Bottom Line
Not everyone can spend a lot of cash on an axe sharpener. Therefore, the Fiskars Axe and Knife Sharpener is specifically designed for those on a budget to keep their cutting tools sharp and ready to use. Overall, you can’t go wrong with this!
4. Nicholson Axe File
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This product is well-received by users for its exceptional features. The most-loved thing is its double-sided sharpeners to remove several grams in a single go. Moreover, it can be used for a variety of purposes, which users really liked.
Why it Stands Out to Us
An eight-inch long axe sharpener, the Nicholson Axe File is specifically designed for maximum gram removal in a single push. It is designed with an American pattern having two different sides. One of those has a double-cut while the other features a single-cut, making it different from other similar products.
Who Will Use This Most
It is an ideal choice for people who want to get maximum work done in less time. As it can remove several grams per stroke, you can use it for efficient sharpening of your axes and other bladed tools. So, it will be useful for any handyman using these tools.
Bottom Line
Another masterpiece from Nicholson File Company, this model is very popular among people for its super-fast sharpening skills. This product is a great choice to bring value to your bucks and can be used for multiple products.
5. Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Similar to other mentioned products, this model is also admired by its users and they are full of praise. The much-loved thing is its efficient sharpening skills and the fact that it comes with a one-year warranty. While the unit has some shortcomings, it is still popular among its customers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener has made its way to our list due to a number of features. It comes with high-end abrasive belts that do not cause any damage to the cutting tools. Moreover, with this axe sharpener, you can easily sharpen your tool to a 40-degree angle like a pro.
Who Will Use This Most
This product can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you want to sharpen a bladed shop tool or garden tool, this product is there to serve you at any time. Moreover, shovels, scrapers, and many other cutting tools are flawlessly sharpened with it.
Bottom Line
A remarkable product which will turn your dull blade into a sharp one, the Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener is surely a versatile sharpening tool. Moreover, it's backed by a one-year warranty that adds on to perfection.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying an Axe Sharpener?
When it comes to buying an axe sharpener, there are many factors to consider. Since you have multiple options available, this is quite important. We have gathered some important factors you must take into consideration in order to get the right product according to your demands.
Purpose
First of all, decide what type of axe sharpener you need according to your demands. Think about whether you want to make your axe sharp enough for chopping wood or just need it for completing some petty routine tasks.
Size of Axe Sharpener
This is another thing to consider. You must look for the length and width that is suitable for your task. It is highly dependent on the size of the blade in order to choose the right size axe sharpener for your tools.
Type of Sharpener
You must decide what type of sharpener you want to use as there are many options available in the market. They vary in the quality of material used like ceramics or synthetic. Therefore, you must be clear about the type you want to have in order to maximize its performance.
Durability
The durability of a product is a keen point to consider. You must invest in an axe sharpener made of high-quality materials so you can use it for a long time.
Cost
When it comes to purchasing an axe sharpener, price is generally a consideration. You must decide your budget first and then try to find a product that is durable and fits into your budget, as well.
How to Sharpen an Axe?
Keeping your axe sharp is quite important to get the best out of a product. Here's how you can sharpen an axe in some simple steps:
- First, you must secure the axe by clamping it on a table or bench
- Mark the edge to use as a guide
- Take an inch mile file and match its angle with the angle of the bevel
- Now make 5–10 strokes along the blade by pushing the file
- Flip the axe and clamp it the same way
- Sharpen the edge on this side by making the same strokes
Tips
Safety is very important while you are working with something as sharp as an axe. So, you must take some tips into consideration.
- You must protect your hands by wearing hand gloves.
- Always use some sort of eye protection.
- Remove all the dirt and rust from the axe before sharpening it.
- Secure the axe by clamping it in a bench vice.
- You must match the bevel angle with the file.
Moreover, make sure to refer to the video below for a better understanding of the crucial safety measures.
Conclusion
Keeping a sharp axe is quite important to stay safe, as working with a dull axe is not only tedious but also very dangerous. By now, you have the essential information about different axe sharpeners to make buying one easier. Go through our buying guide before buying a model in order to make an informed decision.
People Also Ask
People owning axes have different questions associated with axe sharpeners. In this section, we have briefly answered some common queries. This is quite important to improve the overall experience of a customer. Every user will require a certain type of axe sharpener according to his needs and being clear about the following can help make the right choice.
What Angle Do You Sharpen an Axe?
Most of the time, the axe is sharpened at a 30 to 40-degree angle at the end of the bit. On the other hand, about half-an-inch from the cutting edge, it has a 15 to 20-degree angle. An axe gains its splitting power due to the bulge produced away from the end of the bit.
How Sharp Should an Axe be?
Axes should remain sharp enough to maximize your wood chopping experience. Therefore, you must give it proper edge geometry and, simply put, a convex edge. This geometry is proven to be stronger than the standard V-edge. This way, your axe will be in good shape for a longer time period.
Can an Axe Be Too Sharp?
Well, the sharper your axe, the easier it will be to split wood. An axe can be sharpened as finely as you want. It totally depends on the purpose you are going to use it for. However, an axe does not need to be honed the same way as knives or chisels.
How Do I Stop My Axe Head From Rusting?
The axe head is typically made of stainless steel and requires some care in order to stay in better form for a long time. The easiest way is to simply put some oil all over the metal head and wipe the excess oil. In case there is already some rusted part, apply some oil and remove the rust using wire wool.