How to Sharpen Wood Splitting Wedges

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Things You'll Need

  • Splitting wedge

  • Coarse metal file

  • Fine metal file

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A splitting wedge is a triangle shaped piece of steel used to split large sections of wood into smaller and more manageable pieces. Wedges have a flat back which is struck with a maul or is inserted into a log splitter. The front of the wedge narrows to a sharp point which drives into the wood and makes the split. A sharp wedge is necessary for efficient splitting as well as safety. Sharpening a wedge requires only a few tools and a short amount of time.

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Step 1

Examine the wedge for signs of excessive wear or cracking. A wedge may develop cracks over the course of normal use. A crack is especially dangerous when driving a wedge with a maul. Do not use a cracked wedge.

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Step 2

Evaluate the condition of the splitting point of the wedge. Use a coarse metal file to shape any parts of the edge which may have rolled over. Use the coarse file to repair chips and nicks from normal use.

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Step 3

File the entire splitting point of the wedge with the coarse metal file. Begin sharpening the point by smoothing the sides of the wedge. This will begin to reform the point so that it will hold a sharper edge.

Step 4

Sharpen the splitting point with a fine metal file. Hone the wedge sharp by filing the entire length of the splitting point. Make sure to file both sides of the point an equal number of times.

Tip

Take time to prepare the wedge for sharpening by smoothing and removing as much damage as possible before beginning to hone the edge.

Warning

Use caution when working with sharpened edges to avoid potential injury.

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