Maintaining and Storing Forestry Tools
Maintenance and Storage – Essential for Long-Lasting Forestry Tools
Woodcutting and forestry work put considerable strain on your tools. After use, you should therefore not simply leave your axe, hatchet or splitting maul in the shed. Clean the tool head, maintain the cutting edge and protect the metal surfaces against corrosion.
The storage location also plays an important role: excessive moisture can weaken the handle and cause rust. A storage location that is too dry can cause the wood to shrink, meaning that the handle may no longer sit securely in the axe head. With the right maintenance and a suitable storage location, you can preserve the function and safety of your tools over the long term.
Clean and Protect the Tool After Use
Clean the axe or tool head with a cloth after every use. Remove dirt, wood residues and moisture. Then apply a drop of corrosion protection oil to a soft cloth and rub it over the entire head. The oil protects the metal surface and seals the material.
Scratches and dents cannot always be avoided when working with striking tools. If you want to restore the shape of your tool head, you can also rework the cutting edge. Proceed carefully and make sure to retain the original shape and specified cutting angle.
Grinding and Sharpening the Cutting Edge Correctly
1. Pre-grinding and Removing Dents
You can pre-work large notches and scratches with a file or bench grinder. You will also need water for cooling and a suitable abrasive.
Grind both sides of the cutting edge evenly to preserve its original shape. As a guide, you can mark the curved contour on the axe head with a fibre-tip marker. Try not to alter the cutting angle during grinding.
The heel and cheeks of the axe head have a convex shape. Do not flatten these areas, as this can negatively affect the service life of the cutting edge. When grinding at an angle, the file or grinding wheel must always work across the entire surface of the cutting edge. This prevents a convex or hollow-ground bevel from developing unintentionally.
When grinding with a machine, pay close attention to heat development. Cool the cutting edge with water at regular intervals and do not apply excessive pressure. If the axe head turns blue, the steel has become too hot. Stop the process and allow the tool to cool.
2. Finishing with a Sharpening Stone
Use a coarse and a fine sharpening stone to remove the grinding burr and sharpen the cutting edge. Moisten the sharpening stone before use, for example with water or kerosene.
Work on the axe using the edges of the sharpening stone wherever possible. Turn the stone regularly and grind both sides of the cutting edge. This keeps the stone evenly shaped and ensures that the cutting edge is worked evenly.
If necessary, rub down the sharpening stone to remove adhering grinding residue. Clean it thoroughly after use, for example with a nail brush and washing-up liquid.
3. Stropping the Cutting Edge with a Leather Strap
After finishing, you can strop the cutting edge with a leather strap. This removes any remaining traces of the burr.
Always pull the leather strap away from the cutting edge. The sharper the cutting edge, the faster it can become blunt during use. Therefore, choose a bevel that suits the application: the cutting edge can be sharper for soft woods such as poplar than for hard woods such as oak.
4. Oiling the Cutting Edge and Axe Head
After grinding, remove all burrs and residues with a cloth. Then apply a small amount of corrosion protection oil to a soft cloth and distribute it evenly over the entire axe head.
You can clean the tool and apply oil after every use. This reliably protects the head against corrosion and keeps it well maintained over the long term.
Store Forestry Tools Correctly
Do not store your forestry tools in conditions that are either too damp or too dry. Surface rust can form on the axe head in a damp room. More importantly, damp wood can lose strength and resistance to bending. This increases the risk of the handle breaking.
A storage location that is too dry is also unsuitable. If the handle loses moisture, the wood shrinks and changes its dimensions. This can loosen the connection between the handle and axe head.
A tool shed or a dry storage room that is unheated during winter is well suited for storing forestry tools. Avoid direct sunlight. Clean and dry the tool before storing it, and regularly check that the axe head, cutting edge, handle and head-to-handle connection are undamaged.
Maintenance Checklist at a Glance
- Clean the tool head with a cloth after every use.
- Remove moisture and wood residues.
- Protect the axe head with a thin layer of corrosion protection oil.
- Carefully work out dents and notches with a file, grinder or sharpening stone.
- Grind both sides of the cutting edge evenly.
- Preserve the convex shape of the heel and cheeks.
- Cool the cutting edge regularly with water when grinding with a machine.
- Prevent the steel from overheating and turning blue.
- Remove the grinding burr with a suitable sharpening stone.
- Always pull the leather strap away from the cutting edge.
- Store the tool in a dry environment, but not in conditions that are too dry.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Regularly check the handle and head-to-handle connection for damage and secure fit.
Maintain Your Tool and Preserve It for the Long Term
With the right OCHSENKOPF sharpening stone and a suitable blade guard, you can protect your forestry tools and be well prepared for the next use. Discover accessories for maintenance, sharpening and safe storage.
