Machete - curved blade - how to sharpen.

[piotr.galecki]

Hello,

I have a request for help in choosing a sharpening method for a Fikars XA23 WoodXpert machete with a curved blade on the Tormek T-8.





I would like to ask for help in choosing both the appropriate method of attaching the machete (in which device and how to attach it), and the method of conducting the correct sharpening of the blade curved inwards.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Piotr

[Ken S]

Piotr,
Here is advice directly from Tormek's experts:

https://www.youtube.com/live/aw4vJSUPXmk?si=hb1TbSq8YbVABkpr

Ken

[tgbto]

Hi Piotr,

No jig will help you sharpen such a blade on the Tormek. If you use a jig you will only be able to sharpen the convex part of the blade, and you will dent/overgrind the concave part.

So you're pretty much left with (freehand) grinding on the (rounded out) shoulder of the wheel, and the convex part will be quite finicky. Grinding on the side of the wheel increase the pressure *a lot* so you're on dangerous ground.

Give it a shot if you "only" have a Tormek, but with low pressure and checking your work often. I'm not sure with the shape of the wheel and the shape of the blade you'll be able to grind everywhere at the desired angle, and honing will probably be even worse. So I'd "hone" with a ceramics rod instead of the leather wheel in the concave area.

If I had to do that I'd rather go with a rod-based sharpening system with a semicylindrical/triangular stone, or a belt sander with a slack, thin belt. That would give much more control.