To cut wood and trees efficiently with an axe, you will need to sharpen the blade regularly; a cutting tool is only as useful as it is sharp. Luckily, you don't need to spend hours toiling to sharpen the blade. All you need is a handy axe sharpener to get the job done!
Purchasing an axe sharpener can get tricky given the different types available, especially for first-timers who know nothing about sharpening tools. We handpicked the best axe sharpeners on Amazon and categorized them based on their type. Our top favorite is Sharp Pebble's Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone for its two side grit, angle guide, and bamboo base. A detailed buying guide is also included in this article to help you further.
Image | 1 ![]() Sharp Pebble | 2 ![]() Work Sharp | 3 ![]() Lansky | 4 ![]() Fiskars | 5 ![]() Sharpal | 6 ![]() Finew | 7 ![]() AccuSharp | 8 ![]() Sharpal | 9 ![]() Smith's | 10 ![]() Sharpal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone | Knife & Tool Sharpener | Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpener | Axe and Knife Sharpener | Dual-Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone File | Knife Sharpening Stone Kit | Knife & Tool Sharpener | Multipurpose Sharpening Tool | Axe and Machete Sharpener | Multi-Sharpener & Garden Tool Sharpener |
Features | Beginner-Friendly Dual-Sided Whetstone | Electric Sharpener With Interchangeable Grit Belts | Pocket-Sized Versatile Sharpener With Two Grits | A Portable Ceramic Sharpener | Sharpening File With a Paracord | Whetstone Set With Four Different Grit Sides | User-Friendly Knife Sharpener With a Finger Guard | Mini Sharpener With a Pen Clip and Lanyard Hole | Handheld Sharpener With Replaceable Blades | Versatile Sharpener With Three Preset Blade Slots |
Price | $38.99 | $72.75 | $7.49 | $29.90 | $29.99 | $39.97 | $10.99 | $9.99 | $10.47 | $19.99 |
Type | Whetstone | Belt sander, bench grinder | Puck | Handheld sharpener | Handheld file | Whetstone | Handheld sharpener | Handheld file | Handheld sharpener | Handheld sharpener |
Grit number | 1000, 6000 | 80, 220, 6000 | 120, 280 | Not specified | 325, 1200 | 400, 1000, 3000, 8000 | Not specified | Not specified | Around 1,000 | Not specified |
Sharpening material | Aluminum oxide | Synthetic | Synthetic | Ceramic | Industrial monocrystalline diamonds | Aluminum oxide | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten carbide, ceramic |
Safety features | Silicon holder, non-slip rubber base | Not specified | None | Non-slip pads on base | Handle, leather sheath | Silicon holder, non-slip rubber base | Finger guard | Cap, anti-slip rubber handle | Finger guard | Hand guard |
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We've found the best 10 axe sharpeners available online, whether you're looking for something beginner-friendly or want to get the sharpest edge! We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
$38.99
Type | Whetstone |
---|---|
Grit number | 1000, 6000 |
Sharpening material | Aluminum oxide |
Safety features | Silicon holder, non-slip rubber base |
$72.75
Type | Belt sander, bench grinder |
---|---|
Grit number | 80, 220, 6000 |
Sharpening material | Synthetic |
Safety features | Not specified |
$7.49
Type | Puck |
---|---|
Grit number | 120, 280 |
Sharpening material | Synthetic |
Safety features | None |
$29.90
Type | Handheld sharpener |
---|---|
Grit number | Not specified |
Sharpening material | Ceramic |
Safety features | Non-slip pads on base |
$29.99
Type | Handheld file |
---|---|
Grit number | 325, 1200 |
Sharpening material | Industrial monocrystalline diamonds |
Safety features | Handle, leather sheath |
$39.97
Type | Whetstone |
---|---|
Grit number | 400, 1000, 3000, 8000 |
Sharpening material | Aluminum oxide |
Safety features | Silicon holder, non-slip rubber base |
$10.99
Type | Handheld sharpener |
---|---|
Grit number | Not specified |
Sharpening material | Tungsten carbide |
Safety features | Finger guard |
105N
$9.99
Type | Handheld file |
---|---|
Grit number | Not specified |
Sharpening material | Tungsten carbide |
Safety features | Cap, anti-slip rubber handle |
$10.47
Type | Handheld sharpener |
---|---|
Grit number | Around 1,000 |
Sharpening material | Tungsten carbide |
Safety features | Finger guard |
103N
$19.99
Type | Handheld sharpener |
---|---|
Grit number | Not specified |
Sharpening material | Tungsten carbide, ceramic |
Safety features | Hand guard |
Before buying a sharpener, always consider where and how many axes you plan to sharpen. Our buying guide will help you make the best choice!
Whether you own a double-sided axe, a hatchet, or a fire axe, an axe sharpener is an essential tool that keeps the blade in top condition. To choose a type that suits you, think about whether you want a compact or stationary sharpener.
The most widespread and popular method of sharpening any blade is by using stones. For sharpening your axe, you can use whetstones or pucks. Whetstones are rectangular-shaped and better for smaller blades, while pucks are circular and work on various axe blades.
These sharpening tools come in a range of sizes, giving you the freedom to pick one depending on the size of your blade. Smaller sharpening stones are compact and can fit in your pocket, making them great to bring with you. However, larger stones can be quite heavy and bulky, so it's better to keep them in one location.
Modern sharpening stones usually have different grits on each side. One side shapes and sharpens your blade, while the other cleans and smoothes out the edges. Stone sharpeners are popular because of their longevity, range of sizes, and multi-functional use.
However, sharpening a blade with a stone requires the most skill. Since you will manually do the work and there is no slot to insert the blade, there is a higher chance of sharpening your tool incorrectly. Also, stone sharpening tools do not have built-in safety features, so there is a higher chance of accidentally injuring yourself.
Other common axe sharpening tools are handheld sharpeners and files. Handheld sharpeners are standard sharpening models commonly found in kitchens. This type has a grooved insert where the blades are run through multiple times.
Many times, handheld sharpeners use two materials to sharpen and hone the blades. Some popular durable and long-lasting materials are aluminum, tungsten carbide, and ceramic.
An axe sharpening file looks like a nail file. To use it, you continuously pull the file against your axe’s blade at an angle. Files work well on dull and rusted blades. They’re also easy to pack, slim, and great for quick sharpening.
One downside of these tools is the accumulation of burr on your axe’s blade. Burr is the excess metal that clumps up on the blade’s surface you are sharpening. Some handheld sharpeners and files can also remove too much metal when misused.
If you have many blades to sharpen or sharpen your blades regularly, go for an electric sharpener. This style uses powerful motors to sharpen your axe. Some common types are belt sanders and bench grinders.
Belt sanders are powerful stationary sharpening tools that use a rotating belt attached to a motor. These are used to get a perfect angle on a blade. Proper safety equipment is recommended when using this sharpening tool.
On the other hand, a bench grinder uses a fast, rotating wheel to sharpen blades. This is the fastest method to sharpen an axe.
The next important factor to look into when purchasing an axe sharpener is its grit number. When you are working with a whetstone, it is very important to get the correct grit number.
Grit numbers can be broadly categorized into coarse, medium, or fine. The grit of a sharpening tool determines how sharp your axe can get.
A 1,000 and under grit is very coarse and mainly used to repair chipped and damaged axes. A 1,000 to 3,000 grit is for bringing dull blades back into a usable condition. Lastly, a 4,000 to 8,000 grit number gives you a razor-sharp edge.
When shopping for an ax sharpener, always think about its quality and ease of use. Generally, it's best to avoid cheaper sharpeners that may break easily and injure you along the way.
Beginners should stick with non-electric sharpeners, like files and handheld sharpeners. If you are only looking for a tool to use sparingly, go for whetstones and sharpening files since these last a long time. Although they require some skill to handle, these are more user-friendly than electric sharpeners.
Sharpening an ax or any blade is dangerous and should always be attempted with safety in mind. Check the safety features and protocols of the sharpener you plan to use, especially for electric ones. Some safety features you can find are hand and finger guards or non-slip handles and bases.
Use goggles to protect your eyes from the metal particles, and wear gloves to protect your hands. If it’s your first time handling a sharpening tool, ask for assistance or get professional help.
Now that your axe is straightened out, it's time to pull the rest of your tool supplies together. Here are some more suggestions.
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