9 Best Axe Sharpening Stone for 2024

Published on: February 16, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

If your axe, knives, hatchet, and other cutting tools are eventually growing dull and unusable for cutting things, you will need a useful sharpening stone to sharpen them. One of the most dangerous things is using a blunted blade that is very frustrating and prone to accidents and slows down the cutting significantly.

A proper maintenance axe sharpening stone can also sharpen any other straight-edge tool such as scissors or shears, swords, axes, machetes, and razor blades. A good quality axe sharpener stone will make your task more accessible as well as an excellent investment and addition to sharpening a variety of knives, outdoor landscaping equipment, chisels, hunting tools, and more around the house or workplace.

In this article, we’re here to lay out everything you need to know when purchasing the right axe sharpening stone trending in the market and which stones are the best that you can buy for your axe.

Things to Consider Before Choosing

The stone itself is very simple, but at this point, before purchasing the top axe sharpener, there are many factors to consider. This mass buying guide will help you choose the right product according to your handling preferences, sharpen your axe needs, and grind it.

Size

When you choose the axe sharpening stone, yes, size does matter, which is the axe sharpener’s length and width. Large-sized tools work best when you are running them over the blade. On the flip side, smaller ones easily carry and easily fit in the luggage during camps or outdoor adventures.

Material

Material is another thing to consider when you are choosing the sharpening tool. Stone comes with different types of equipment. But among them, a two-sided stone that’s coarse on one side and fine on the other is always a better choice. This is because, besides saving your money, it also provides multi-purpose functionality. 

There are various kinds of materials utilized in various sharp stones – so these are considerably more than we can list in little segments. All things being equal, we can isolate these materials into three primary categories.

Oil Stone

These are the oldest types of honing stones and the ones that most individuals know about. As the name suggests, oilstones need the utilization of sharp oils to eliminate swarf during the honing system. The use of oil stones can be a slow interaction, although certain individuals have gradually shifted to a more significant level of control.

Water Stone

It can be similarly normal or engineered, however, the use of manufactured materials is undoubtedly more normal. Aluminum oxide is the same oil used in engineer water rocks as is used in stone. but it has an alternative coating. This cover is intended to allow the grafting material to bite and split, revealing new rough material. This guarantees that in the long run water will not reduce the presentation and adequacy of the stone.

Diamond stone

This bundle is awesome. This type of honing stone has a metal faceplate with small ornaments. It can quickly make a hatchet responsible for its unparalleled rigidity. Also, these stones can be used dry which is not dull, and can retain a flat surface even after heavy utilization. As you might expect, diamond-studded stones are similarly the most expensive choice.

Versatility

Most people look for sharpening tools that not only be used to sharpen axes but also sharpen different types of scissors, kitchen knives, knives, and the like and use them to refine dull edges on a knife and machetes.

Read more: Finding the Best Forest Axe

Durability

Another vital question most buyers ask is how long the products will last. So don’t forget to invest in high-quality materials and axe sharpener products so you can use them for a long time.

Quick Solutions

Can You Sharpen an Axe With a Stone?

In any case, it’s possible to sharpen an axe with an easy rock or river stone. Here are the sorts of stones you’ll use: Large, relatively smooth stones that you simply can place on the bottom and, holding the axe in your two hands, grind the sting against. Smaller stones, coarser (granite) or smoother (quartz).

Should a Wood Splitting Axe Be Sharp?

Axes are durable tools, but to carry on at their best, the blade (or “bit”) must be kept sharp. Axe and hatchet blades can affect after only one or two sessions of wood splitting. Sharpening the blade may be a DIY process that needs a handle, a file card (to clean the file), and a sharpening stone.

When Should I Sharpen My Axe?

To Sharpen Axes and Mauls. Axe sharpening works best when the axe is locked in the exact place.

Our Recommended Axe Sharpening Stone Analysis

In this article, we’re here to lay out everything you need to know when purchasing the right axe sharpening stone trending in the market and which stones are the best that you can buy for your axe.

1. Helko Werk Axe Sharpening Stone

• Ceramic silicon carbide abrasive grinding stone;
• Contoured shape;
• Dual-grit design.

Hello Werk axe sharpening stone is one of the smallest, round-shaped ceramic silicon carbide abrasive material grinding stones made in Germany and designed explicitly for mauls, splitting axes, and felling axes. The contoured design makes it uncomplicated to hold in hand and allows for safe, simple, sharpening tools in all edged tools, such as machetes, shovels, and other garden tools. 

It’s got two sides, in two different colors. One side is coarse (120 grit), and the other is a smooth side (320 grit). The rough side is excellent for mauls and incredibly dull blades to restore blunt edges, while the opposite side performs more excellent sharpening. This stone is possible to use wet, dry, or helko-recommended oil as a lubricant during sharpening.

Pros

• Small and portable;
• Very easy to use and handle;
• Easy-to-grip shape;
• Can be used with water or oil as a lubricant or dry;
• Suitable for all types of edged tools;
• Comes with a lightweight aluminum protective case.

Cons

• No cons.

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2. Gransfors Bruks Ceramic (GB 4034) Grinding/ Sharpening Stone

• Ceramic grinding stone;
• Has both a smooth and coarse side.

The transfer breaks ceramic puck is another round sharpening stone that allows you to sharpen for various jobs or sharpen your axe quickly and efficiently in an old-fashioned way. The ceramic abrasive makes it a more durable and reliable ceramic stone than natural stone. This stone’s diameter is 57mm (2.2″) and comes with a protective case, which makes it easy to handle and portable to every workstation. 

The unit comes with two different sides, fine-gritted and rough surfaces. The coarse side with a grain size of 180 deals with harsh damages and the smooth side with a grain size of 600 is perfect for fine grinding and sharpening. Moreover, the stone can be used with or without water.

Pros

• Durable;
• Lightweight and portable;
• Very easy to use and handle;
• Can be used with or without water;
• Comes with a protective rubber casing.

Cons

• Pricey than others.

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3. Lansky Puck Dual Grit Sharpening Stone

• Ceramic stone;
• Multifunctional sharper;
• Pocket-size product;
• Versatile tool;
• Available in two different grit numbers.

The Lansky puck is a versatile and well-rounded axe sharpener stone used to sharpen lawn-maker knives, shovels, machetes, knives, and spades as well as other cutting tools. This pocket-size dual-grit blade & tool sharpener is the best portable, convenient, and safe to use for grinding with its contoured grip shape and also perfect and safe to use both on the field and at home. 

This stone is dual-sided, 120 grit, and 280 grit. The 120 coarse grit sides are for quick cutting and shaping and another medium 280-grit side is used for final sharpening and finishing the edge efficiently. As the stone’s edges are rough while the center is fine, so for best results, move the puck in a circular motion while keeping an axis angle of reinforcement constant.

Pros

• Lightweight;
• Small and portable;
• Very easy to use and handle;
• Easy-to-grip shape;
• It can be used in the field and shop.

Cons

• Does not come with lubricant.

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4. Norton St. Gobain (85316) Axe & Hatchet Stone

• Pocket-size product;
• Dual-grit design.

Norton st. The Gobain axe & hatchet stone is about the same size as the Lansky park and ideal to use on a hiking trip for sharpening both knives and hatches just fine. This stone is slightly thinner and larger in diameter and only half the weight and thickness of the Lansky pak to take care of your hatchet, machete, and even knives.

This pocket-size stone blade is the best portable, convenient, safe, and simple to use for grinding and sharpening. Moreover, the stone is dual-sided, the coarse grit side is just aggressive enough to take minor dings and burrs out of hatchets, and the fine side is used for final sharpening and finishing the edge efficiently on hunting and fillet blades.

Pros

• Easier to hold;
• Suitable for hand tools & tool organizers;
• Use honing oil, not water;
• Has both a smooth and coarse side.

Cons

• A little bit pricey.

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5. Wetterlings 2-Sided Sharpening / Grinding Stone

• Pocket-size product;
• Contoured shape;
• Versatile tool;
• Dual-grit design.

Another versatile and pocket-size dual-grit blade axe sharpener stone is Wetterling’s, which is used to sharpen Wetterling’s axe blades and lawnmower blades machetes, hatchets, shovels, and spades, as well as other cutting and chopping tools. The contoured design makes it uncomplicated to hold in hand and allows for safe, simple sharpening tools in all types of edged tools, and when not in use, it has included a rubber carrying case for secure storage.

The unit comes with two different sides, fine-gritted and coarse surfaces. The rough side with a grain size of 180 deals with quick cutting and shaping and a polished side with a grain size of 600 is suitable for the final sharpening and finishing of your edge. Moreover, the stone can be used with or without water.

Pros

• Small and portable;
• Very easy to use and handle;
• Easy-to-grip shape;
• Available in two different grit numbers;
• Can be used with or without water;
• Comes with a red rubber carrying case.

Cons

• No cons.

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6. Lansky Sharpeners – Puck Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Knife Sharpener

• Multifunctional sharper;
• Pocket-size product;
• Contoured shape;
• Versatile tool;
• Dual-grit design.

The Lansky dual grit multi-purpose knife sharpener is a versatile and well-rounded axe sharpener stone known as ‘the puck’ because of its multifunctional sharpening features. It can be used to sharpen lawn-maker knives, blades, hatchets, axe blades, shovels, machetes, knives, spades, and other cutting and chopping tools.

This pocket-size dual-grit knife sharpener is the best portable, convenient, safe, and simple to use for grinding and sharpening with its contoured grip shape. Moreover, the stone is dual-sided, the coarse grit side is for quick cutting and shaping, and another medium side is used for final sharpening and finishing the edge efficiently.

Pros

• Lightweight and portable;
• Very easy to use and handle;
• Easy-to-grip shape.

Cons

• It could be a bit finer.

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7. Bora (501057) Fine/Coarse Combination Sharpening Stone

• 6-inch aluminum oxide sharpening stone;
• Dual lubricant options;
• Versatile tool;
• Double-sided stone design.

Another excellent bench sharpening stone is bora (501057). This fine/coarse combination sharpening stone is made from 6-by-2-inch aluminum oxide materials. It sharpens all types of knives and tools and makes them harder and more durable, with a longer lifespan to easily fit in the toolbox without taking up too much space.

It comes with two-sided stone features options, a 150-grit coarse side for initial sharpening, and a 240-grit fine side for honing or touch-ups all types of edged tools and knives. The stone has dual lubricant options. It might be used with oil or water, but if using water, make sure to soak the stone for 15-30 min before using it.

Pros

• Durable and lightweight;
• Available in two different grit numbers;
• Can be used with water or oil as a lubricant or dry;
• Ideal size for bench work;
• Suitable for all types of edged tools.

Cons

• Need time to sharpen the blade.

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8. Norton (614636855653 IB8) Fine/Coarse India Combination Oilstone

• Wear-resistant aluminum oxide;
• High-quality oilstone;
• Dual-grit design.
• Dual-grit design.

Are you searching for a prompt and easy way to repair and maintain knives and other cutting tools? The Norton combination of oil stone is an excellent choice for the best oil stone tool. Made from aluminum oxide materials makes it is harder and more durable, with a longer lifespan than water stones, and well-suited for sharpening kitchen knives, chisels, woodworking plane blades, and other tools, producing long-lasting and robust cutting edges.

It comes with a 100/320-grit combination for versatile sharpening and maintaining. The 100 grit on one face is for repairing steel cutting edges and another 320 grit on the opposite face to sharpen and maintaining the edge efficiently. The stone is oil-based, so it saves time and needs no pre-soaking before use, and the lubricant remains on the surface during sharpening. Moreover, the oil also helps rid the stone of dislodged metal chips and particles. Read more: Tree Felling Axes Analysis

Pros

• Durable and harder;
• Pre-filled with oil;
• Easy to clean;
• Lubricant stays on the surface;
• Suitable for bench sharpener use;
• Repairs and sharpens knives quickly;
• Produces smooth-cutting, long-lasting, keen edges.

Cons

• Quality Has To Improve.

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9. Sharp Pebble Premium Sharpening Stones

• Japanese grit whetstone;
• Razor sharp knives;
• Premium quality material;
• Perfect design.

This sharpening stone is superb. The stone’s use is simple with a touch practice and enables one to realize razor-sharp results with ease. The ebook supplied is easy to know, and there are a variety of YouTube videos that feature these stones and help gain skills sort of a pro. Can’t stop sharpening my knives and cutting tools now!

This stone and accessories (rubber frame for holding the stone, flat grinding block) are pretty good quality. The 3000 sides will remove tiny nicks in kitchen knife blades if you’re patient, and therefore the 8000 sides will polish the sting for a considerable sharpness.

In summary, compliment this stone with a finer grit real Japanese whetstone and use the mixture as a 3-step process.

Pros

• Suitable for small or medium size blades;
• Rubber base;
• Great quality.

Cons

• Wears out quickly. 

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Conclusion

There are many variants in the market, so before choosing which axe sharpening stone is best for you, besides evaluating your sharpening session’s goals, look for something easy to carry along with you and prefer doing wet or dry sharpening. When choosing between the different types, please go through our buying guide to make an informed decision.

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