Help I recently bought a cheap hatchet the edge is terrible I wouldn't expect great things but i would like to have a reasonable edge on it and can't seem to manage it I have enough trouble with keeping my knives sharp but am totally useless with this hatchet and it's driving me nuts

No problem.. Just hold the hatchet right under the head with your trigger finger on the side of the head and rest your fingers from the other hand at the base of the grind (to give some more downforce) then push the edge gently along an oilstone.. Give each side around 10 strokes then change edge and repeat. My £5 Draper hatchet got really razor sharp (ie as sharp as a good day on my S6!!) in about 20 minutes like that.

You could always use the mouse mat trick too- that works well on hatchets and gives them a nice shiny polished scary looking edge!

Yeah, I sharpen hatchets like I sharpen my knives.

Cheers Paul I have finally managed to put a decent edge on that thing .You have saved what little hair I have left,as for the sharpening in general I may get a machine for the house but I will try the Lansky system as I can't seem to find a plug when I'm out and about.

Should have asked first time what is the mouse mat trick?

Take a piece of wood and place a piece of mouse pad on one side and a piece of leather on the other side coated with green compound

take different grits of sandpaper and lay it on the mousepad side and go and sin no more!

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Here's a link that might help from Swamp Shack: Keeping it Sharp

Cheers Andy I am beginning to get the idea just a case of finding time to practise hopefully get the hang of it in thenext year or so

Thanks for the explanation just a case of practise now

Unless you have a friend who works at the sand paper factory stick with the Lansky (for your knives)- it'll save you money and hair!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I think I'll concentrate on saving the money I have given up on the hair am certain to be a cue ball by the time I'm forty it's having to wear a hat thats my excuse and I'M STICKING TO IT !
Thanks for your help

Yeah, I quit the sandpaper thing because it burned through it too fast. Too expensive, and I had to have a large stock on hand so I wouldn't run out in the middle of sharpening since I live 12 miles from town.