Billman wrote:Sadly, Richard Morris is now a one man business - the nature of the works themselves, the work involved, and H&S means he cannot employ anyone without a major rebuild of the workshop. As a result he undertakes all aspects of the work, plating, forging, shaping. hardening and tempering and grinding - there will be corners cut in order to make a profit, and sadly the blunt edge is indicative of this... His nephew, as a family member, used to be able help - but I do not know if he still does so.... They used to make the handles on site as well - using a copy lathe and a belt sander...
Sad. I have long thought that a significant portion of the cost of a Gransfor Bruks axe must be for the superlative grinding, sharpening & buffing/stropping job they do - but you pay through the nose for it. The Morris handmade billhooks have a longer blade (but simpler handle) than most axes yet cost significantly less than half the price of, say, a Swedish Carving Axe. Higher quality usually comes with an increased price tag. Perhaps bigger customers (MOD, councils,NT,...?) don't mind sharpening the tools.
Billman wrote:On the plus side he generally uses a good EN8 or EN9 carbon steel, which if properly hardened and tempered should hold a good edge. I would advise the use of a flap wheel on an angle grinder, cutting away from the edge - little and often to avoid overheating the edge - and keep a damp cloth handy in case you start to see the edge change colour - straw/brown is OK, but blue will start to soften it....
Alternatively a large wet grinding wheel could put the edge on it (mine would). But would you be confident that the tool is otherwise manufactured normally? If not, send it back and let the reseller &/or Morris redeem themselves with good service.
Billman wrote:Personally, I would take umbrage with the seller/retailer - this should not have been sold in this condition - it is not 'fit for purpose'.....
Yes, you have rights, the legal term, from the Sale of Goods Act, is "of merchantable quality". I'm sure the reseller/Morris would simply replace your purchase though.