Care & Maintenance

Axe Guard Head Oil is a 100% green, biodegradable metal treatment oil manufactured in the USA. This oil protects metal against moisture and the elements, and prevents rust and corrosion. Helko axes are made from German C50 high grade carbon steel. This type of steel is ideal for axe heads, but like all carbon steel, it is susceptible to oxidation and rust if not properly cared for. Rust is easily prevented by keeping the axe head well oiled. 

To use Axe Guard Head Oil, simply apply to the metal surface with a rag, allowing time for the oil to penetrate. The oil should be applied after using the axe and before storing. If rusting does occur, use a wire brush or steel wool to remove it, and then apply Axe Guard as above. ​

• Made in the USA

• 100% Green, Biodegradable

• 4 oz. Bottle

• Twist cap nozzle, with an open/close

This oil will protect your wooden axe handle against moisture and from drying out. To use Axe Guard Handle Oil, heavily lather the handle in the oil with a rag, and let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes. Remove it with a clean rag, and repeat the process as needed.

• Made in the USA

• Boiled Linseed Oil blend

• 1 oz. or 4 oz. Bottle

• Twist cap nozzle, with an open/close

Overtime, neglected leather will break down, dry out, harden, and become brittle, which will lead to cracking or tearing. It is important maintain your leather equipment and keep it protected. Doing so will significantly prolong the life and use of your leather. You should store your leather goods in a cool, dry place. Excessive exposure to moisture and the elements may cause damage over time.

Our combination of Leather Oil and Leather Conditioning Paste is everything you need to properly protect, condition, and reinvigorate your leather goods. For best results, apply Leather Oil first, followed up with the Conditioning Paste afterwards.

Leather Oil - This oil is designed to soak and absorb into the leather, and will soften, preserve, and waterproof.

Directions: Apply oil freely and work into leather. Will darken leather, especially lighter colored or unfinished leather

Ingredients: Mink Oil, Lanolin, Silicone, Neatsfoot Oil

Helko Werk's Axe Sharpening Stone is the perfect field sharpening tool. The contoured shape is easy to grip and allows for safe, simple sharpening. Our stone's dual-grit design offers a coarse side (120 grit) and fine side (320 grit). The coarse side should be used to restore dull edges, while the fine performs finer sharpening.

This stone may be used dry, or with water or oil as a lubricant. Using oil will produce the best results, and it is fine to mix uses of water, oil, and dry overtime.  

It is suitable for all types of edged tools, including machetes, shovels, and other garden tools. A bottle of Axe Guard Head Oil is included, which can be used as a honing or sharpening oil.

Specifications
- Made in Germany from ceramic silicon carbide abrasive
- Coarse side (gray): 120 grit, 1 cm thickness
- Fine side (green): 320 grit, 1.5 cm thickness
- Diameter: 3 in. (7.5 cm)
- Height: 1 in. (2.5 cm)
- Weight: 6.9 oz. (195g)​

​What's Included
- Lightweight aluminum protective case
- 1 oz. bottle of Axe Guard Head Oil

Optional Upgrade
Leather Stone Pouch

Overtime, neglected leather will break down, dry out, harden, and become brittle, which will lead to cracking or tearing. It is important maintain your leather equipment and keep it protected. Doing so will significantly prolong the life and use of your leather. You should store your leather goods in a cool, dry place. Excessive exposure to moisture and the elements may cause damage over time.

Our combination of Leather Oil and Leather Conditioning Paste is everything you need to properly protect, condition, and reinvigorate your leather goods. For best results, apply Leather Oil first, followed up with the Conditioning Paste afterwards.

Leather Conditioning Paste - This is a natural by-product that will absorb into the leather and preserve and condition the material. It will also provide a stronger waterproofing barrier at the surface.

Directions: Apply paste freely and work well into the leather. This can be done with a rag or sponge. Allow a few minutes for absorption and then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth. May darken certain leathers.

Ingredients: Mink Oil, White Mineral Oil, Fatty Acids, Microcrystalline Wax, Distillates

Our Axe Care Wax can be used on your axe as an extra layer of protection against the elements. Exposure to the elements and moisture can be harsh overtime on steel axe heads and wooden handles. A layer of our beeswax based wax blend can be easily applied and will offer a layer of resistance against these elements. It works well to block out moisture from making direct contact onto the steel or wood. This wax can easily be applied to steel and wood by simply using a cloth. Once it is applied and buffed, it does not leave a sticky residue, and is comfortable to hold and handle.

Directions: Use cloth and apply wax freely onto your axe head and wooden handle. Allow a few minutes for absorption and then wipe off any excess. Use a clean cloth to dry and buff the head and handle.

Use: Helps protect and preserve your axe against the weather, moisture, and the elements. Helps prevent formation of rust.

Ingredients: Beeswax, Paraffin Wax, Petrolatum

Our Standard Axe Maintenance Kit covers the core basics for axe care and maintenance. Sharpening and oiling. All parts are made in Germany and the USA.

Standard Axe Care & Maintenance Kit

• Dual sided cross-cut and single-cut Axe File 

• Dual sided Axe Sharpening Stone

• ​1 oz. bottle of Axe Guard Handle Oil 

• ​1 oz. bottle of Axe Guard Head Oil​ 

Our Premium Axe Maintenance Kit covers everything you'll need to care for and maintain your axe in good working condition. This kit will allow you to sharpen the blade, clean and oil the head, and repair and maintain the handle. All parts are made in Germany and the USA.

Premium Axe Care & Maintenance Kit

• Custom leather tool roll (full grain cowhide)

• Dual sided cross-cut and single-cut Axe File 

• Dual sided Axe Sharpening Stone

• Blade cleaning abrasive block 

• ​1 oz. bottle of Axe Guard Handle Oil 

• ​1 oz. bottle of Axe Guard Head Oil​ 

• 150 grit sandpaper, waterproof, wet/dry

• Multi-purpose oil/cleaning rag

• 2 repair steel ring-wedges

Our Deluxe Axe Maintenance Kit covers everything you'll need to care for and maintain your axe, as well as protection and maintenance for your axe accessories. This kit will allow you to sharpen the blade, clean and oil the head, and repair and maintain the handle. It also includes Leather Oil and Wax for caring for the sheath and your leather accessory products. All parts are made in Germany and the USA.

Deluxe Axe Care & Maintenance Kit

• Includes everything in the Premium Axe Care & Maintenance Kit

• 3 oz. tin of Axe Wax

• 3 oz. tin of Leather Paste

• 8 oz. bottle of Leather Oil

• 4 oz. bottle of Axe Guard

The Helko Werk Dual Sided Axe Files have been designed specifically to bring an axe blade to a general purpose mid-level sharpness. At this stage the axe may either be used as is for general work, or further honed with more precise tools, such as our Axe Sharpening Stone, to achieve a fine or razor edge.

The top side of the file is a single-cut fine tooth pattern. The bottom side is a double-cut fine tooth pattern. The double-cut teeth provide rapid material removal for reprofiling, or removing dings and nicks form an axe edge. The single-cut teeth are for finer touch ups, finishing, and deburring. To prevent accidental damage to adjacent surfaces, the file has no teeth on its edges. The flat handle provides a secure grip and a hanging hole at the end allows for convenient storage. 

The Compact File fits neatly into our Axe Maintenance Kits.

Specifications for Compact File
- German C125W2 high carbon tool steel
- Length: 9 in.
- Weight: 4 oz.
- Top side: single-cut fine tooth
- Bottom side: double-cut fine tooth

Specifications for Large File
- German C125W2 high carbon tool steel
- Length: 11.5 in.
- Weight: 8 oz.
- Top side: single-cut fine tooth
- Bottom side: double-cut fine tooth

This set includes 6 wooden wedges in various sizes and 5 steel ring wedges. The ring wedges are sized by diameter: 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, 23mm.

28” Hessen/Spaltaxt handles are Out of Stock. Estimated re-stock is May 2026. Backorder Here

Choose the appropriate replacement handle for your axe here. You can see our Axe-Guide here for sizing assistance, if you are trying to match one of these to another axe.

Specifications
- Grade A American Hickory 
- Boiled linseed oil finish
- 150 grit smooth sanded
- Individually selected for grain orientation and density

What's Included
- 1 wooden wedge
- 1 steel ring wedge