DIY: Renew The Edge On Your Machete with A Work Sharp Grinding Attachment After Winter Scouting

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With the season closed and the leaves off the trees, it’s the perfect time for doing some scouting. Our primary property is 98% wooded and often tight with briars and vines. Exploring with a machete is often a must and I prefer the Tramontina as it's durable and easy to find.

Here is how I keep an edge on it using my Work Sharp Ken Onion Sharpener and the Blade Grinding Attachment.

Materials Needed

Step 1: Set The Angle

Select the angle you want to grind your machete. For grasses, you might want a finer edge (20-25°), but for heavy wood and brush, 25-30° is better. I personally set the platform to 25 degrees to handle a bit of both. [00:26]

Step 2: Establish A Burr

Set your angle and make 8-10 strokes using the coarsest grinding band. This initial stage is for re-profiling and eating away the dulled steel to establish a burr across the entire length of the blade. You'll know you have a burr when the edge "catches" slightly as you run your thumb across it. [01:46]

Step 3: Even It Out

Once you have raised a burr on the first side, flip the machete and repeat the exact same number of strokes on the other side of the blade to ensure the edge is centered and even. [02:15]

Step 4: Work Through the Grits

Work your way through the remaining belts to refine and polish the edge. Be sure to keep the number of strokes per side even:

X65 Band: 6-10 strokes per side. [02:30]
X22 Band: 6-10 strokes per side. [02:45]
X4 Band: 10 strokes per side for a final polished finish. [02:57]

Step 5: Test It Out

After working through the grits, you should see a polished silver edge along the blade. Check the sharpness by running it through a piece of paper; it should slice cleanly without tearing. [03:22]

Wrapping Up

The Work Sharp with the grinding attachment offers a lot of control and is a great investment if you find yourself dulling blades on rocks and vines while out in the field. It’s a much more precise option than an angle grinder and works for everything from machetes to axes. Hope it helps y'all!