12-07-2019, 03:47 PM
I hand sharpen my Eskimo curved auger blades. It takes one try and you will have it down.
You will need a whetstone. I use a 400/1000 grit one I got off amazon for $14. I would recommend you get one specific for your auger blades.
Submerge the stone in water until the bubbles stop.
Do not sharpen the flat side of the blade. (Until I tell you to)
Place the angled side of the blade on the course grit stone and adjust until you have the correct angle. It is easy to find because auger blades have a steep cut angle.
Dull auger blades are hospital trip sharp. Don’t be complacent with your finger placement. I personally enjoy my 5:1 finger to hand ratio so be careful.
Back and forth at this point adding a splash of water to the stone when needed.
You will be able to see the cutting edge improve or sharpen as you do this.
It takes me 3-5 minutes, that’s it.
Flip the stone to the fine grit.
Find the angle, check your finger placements, and repeat the back and forth sharpening technique until the full cutting edge has been sharpened.
Now, the flat side of the blade will have built up a tiny lip or ridge from sharpening the opposite, angled side.
This ridge has to be removed or the blades won’t cut ice. If remove more than the lip, you will create an angle on the flat side and the blades won’t cut and likely have to be replaced.
If the lip is very tiny, you can use a honing rod to remove it. I use the fine grit stone it’s just as easy.
Place the flat side of the blade on the fine grit stone.
Gently go back and forth to remove the lip and that will finish the cutting edge.
Get this down, you won’t buy blades ever again. The auger cuts ice like it was out if the box new.
[signature]
You will need a whetstone. I use a 400/1000 grit one I got off amazon for $14. I would recommend you get one specific for your auger blades.
Submerge the stone in water until the bubbles stop.
Do not sharpen the flat side of the blade. (Until I tell you to)
Place the angled side of the blade on the course grit stone and adjust until you have the correct angle. It is easy to find because auger blades have a steep cut angle.
Dull auger blades are hospital trip sharp. Don’t be complacent with your finger placement. I personally enjoy my 5:1 finger to hand ratio so be careful.
Back and forth at this point adding a splash of water to the stone when needed.
You will be able to see the cutting edge improve or sharpen as you do this.
It takes me 3-5 minutes, that’s it.
Flip the stone to the fine grit.
Find the angle, check your finger placements, and repeat the back and forth sharpening technique until the full cutting edge has been sharpened.
Now, the flat side of the blade will have built up a tiny lip or ridge from sharpening the opposite, angled side.
This ridge has to be removed or the blades won’t cut ice. If remove more than the lip, you will create an angle on the flat side and the blades won’t cut and likely have to be replaced.
If the lip is very tiny, you can use a honing rod to remove it. I use the fine grit stone it’s just as easy.
Place the flat side of the blade on the fine grit stone.
Gently go back and forth to remove the lip and that will finish the cutting edge.
Get this down, you won’t buy blades ever again. The auger cuts ice like it was out if the box new.
[signature]