Helko Werk Dual Grit Axe Sharpening Stone - Lightweight Field Sharpener for Axes

From 1844, Helko Werk has been recognized as a producer of premium world-class handmade axes, making it one of the oldest axe manufacturers still operating in Europe. The story of Helko Werk began in the village of Cronenberg, Germany, where August Helsper founded the August Helsper Werkzeugfabrik (the Helsper Tool Factory) in 1844 and began producing axes for the region. During the early twentieth century, the Helsper Tool Factory increased its export of axes beyond the borders of Europe, regularly shipping them to countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. In the 1930s, the Helsper family formed a partnership with the Kotthaus family, setting the stage for exponential growth and giving the company its current name: Helko (an amalgam of Helsper and Kotthaus).

Helko Werk's Classic range combines versatility, performance, and aesthetics to create a premium line of pristine working axes. The Helko Werk Traditional line is a premium collection of hand-forged German heritage axes, handcrafted by one of Helko's Master Smiths. The Vario 2000 is a patented design using a German engineered fastening system that introduces incredible versatility and efficiency. Förster by Helko is a commercial line of professional axes and forestry tools manufactured by the Helko Werk company. The Helko Werk Frontier Collection includes an assortment of top-quality outdoor and travel gear, proudly handmade in the USA and built to last a lifetime. Helko Werk also offers a range of premium sharpening, maintenance, and leather products, including sheaths and axe collars, made in the USA from full-grain, vegetable tanned cowhide leather.

Helko Werk's Axe Sharpening Stone is the perfect field sharpening tool, with a contoured shape that is easy to grip and allows for safe, simple sharpening. The stone's dual-grit design offers a coarse side (120 grit) and a fine side (320 grit), allowing users to restore dull edges with the coarse side and perform finer sharpening with the fine side. The stone can be used dry, or with water or oil as a lubricant, with the best results achieved when using oil. The Axe Sharpening Stone is made in Germany from ceramic silicon carbide abrasive, with a coarse side measuring 1 cm thick and a fine side measuring 1.5 cm thick. The stone has a diameter of 3 inches (7.5 cm) and a height of 1 inch (2.5 cm), weighing 6.9 ounces (195g). The kit includes a lightweight aluminum protective case and a 1-ounce bottle of Axe Guard Head Oil.

Proper sharpening and maintenance are crucial for keeping Helko Werk axes in peak condition. Users should become familiar with proper sharpening techniques, keeping the edge sharp while maintaining the original bevel. A flat file and sharpening stone can be used to sharpen the edge, with grinders or sanders used with extreme caution to avoid overheating and altering the steel temper. Helko Werk's Dual-Sided Axe File, with its double-cut pattern, is designed for rapid material removal when reprofiling or removing dings and nicks from the edge. When it comes to storage, axes should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from excessive moisture, sunlight, and heat sources, which can cause damage to the handles over time. After use, the axe head should always be cleaned and oiled.

Helko Werk's manufacturing process involves individual, hand-forged production using a drop hammer on open dies. This highly skilled and time-tested process, performed by Helko's Master Smiths, requires exceptional hand-eye coordination and judgment to ensure the shape and integrity of the final product. The Rockwell hardness of Helko's axes is also a significant factor, with the company's Master Smiths having spent hundreds of years perfecting the hardness and temper to achieve an ideal balance between superior edge holding ability, ease of sharpening, and resistance to chipping. The handles of Helko Werk axes are proudly crafted from sustainably sourced Grade A American hickory, and the leather sheaths are made from vegetable tanned, full-grain cowhide leather, with a heavy-duty welt for maximum blade protection.

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