1844 Helko Werk Germany Dual Sided Axe Sharpening File - Axe Sharpener Metal File single-cut and cross-cut hand file (Compact File #22101)

This a very nice file. Well made and a little smaller than a full sized file making easier for being along in a backpack or using in tighter areas. I bought it for planing and sharpening an un sharpened hachette I had. The double grit side made quick work of the planning and the single grit side sharpened it right up. Very pleased with the size and quality of the file I highly recommend it.

When I needed a file to sharpen my lawnmower blade I Googled, "German made steel file for lawnmower blade sharpening" and these files were among the search results. I tried out the smaller one today on an electric lawnmower blade with good results. The file cut easily into the metal and sharpened the blade within about 15 minutes. These files are very fine and leave a nice finish on steel. To make them last longer and to keep them from getting all "gummed up" with steel particles I applied a good coating of common sidewalk chalk to the cutting surfaces of the files. It keeps the steel particles from fusing to the file and makes it very easy to clean off those particles with a file card. Once in a while you actually GET what you PAY FOR.

Using this to reprofile an old Stanley half hatchet that’s ridiculously fat behind the edge. All I had to work with was an old Nicholson bastard file that would only cut on sharp angles and with supreme effort. I was goin at it for hours with only minimal progress. Don’t know if it was clogged up or if it was junk to begin with, but someone with more experience working with files would have known immediately that it was a defective tool. So I made the switch to this Helko Werk and so glad I did. I felt the difference on the first stroke, heheh. This thing eats up metal like Pac Man and grinds with a satisfying sound and feel instead of skating ineffectually across the work piece. I also appreciate the rounded handle instead of the uncomfortable rat tail design on so many others. I have an axe, another hatchet and a beat up rusty maul lined up, and can actually look forward to the job now. When I’m satisfied with the blade geometry of my chopping tools this file will then serve as my go to for sharpening whenever needed. I’m thrilled to have the right tool now but it’s hurts knowing how much time I wasted with that useless old bastard (file, that is). Pretty much all axes and hatchets fresh from the factory need work before they can perform optimally, so if you are just getting into it and are looking for a one and done file for reprofiling and sharpening, then this is the one.

Had it for years and still my go to , to sharpen my axes.

Excellent coarse and fine file set used in the field to keep my cutting tools sharp. Finish file tunes axe edges quickly. Coarse file can reshape blade edges or remove dings and burrs. Both file handles feel a little sharp in the hand, so I wear leather gloves when using. Files clean easily with a standard steel file card or small wire brush.Very happy with this set.

100% game changer. I’m not lazy, I’m efficient, or at least a lot of the time. And having sharp garden tools is part of being efficient, but I lagged in this department. I sharpened 2 hoes and one of those square ring weed cutters you pull toward you or push back and forth. Also a pointed and flat shovel, a hand sickle and lawnmower blade.2 people, 5 hours in the back yard preparing weeded ground for 40 tomatoes, 25 peppers, etc. The hoes and weed cutter absolutely sliced through dense already weed whacked dry large weeds, and scraped down across the earth of most of their seeds. The hand sickle sliced through plastic bags of soil amendments instead of tugging on them. I use this tool year round for box opening and cutting, weed removal from cracks in pavement and asphalt, plastic clamshell package opening and anything else I can think of. The lawn mower blade was so dull it was fraying the grass and turning it brown. Now it cuts it clean and green.I only use the medium side, not the fine side. I’m not cutting diamonds and don’t need fine. I rub chalk into the file before use to keep the little points from mashing and matting against each other. I have a fine metal brush designed to clean the file. How did I live without this?

Great file!

Works fast and easy to keep an edge on my wood working ax