Ever tried to slice a tomato with a dull knife? In a pinch, I’ve tried. The jagged pink slabs I made might as well have been cut with a hammer and chisel.
Broadly speaking, the same logic applies togarden tools, especially those designed to cut, slice, chop, or dig.
The reason to keep a tool sharp is the same as the reason to keep a tool clean. It will do its work efficiently and last for years.
It’s cheaper, less wasteful, and friendlier to the environment than buying a new tool every time your old one wears a bit. If the tool is sharp it’s great. If it’s dull, it’s worthless.
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With the right approach, you can avoid this problem. This post will show you how to stay on the edge of garden tool sharpening.
Here’s a quick list of sharpening tools and devices that I used or would use on my garden tool blades:
- Double-sided sharpening stone or grit
- Mill file
- Diamond or carbide sharpening grits
- Honing or mineral oil
- Wire brushes
- Bench grinder
Notice anything? Yep, you can sharpen tools for little money. Anything you can buy at the store you can also buy at a garage or yard sale. You might even find exactly what you need on Craigslist or eBay. Look around before spending lots of money. To save even more money, put a fine coat of mineral or honing oil on your tools after you sharpen them and each time after you use them. The oil will prevent rust. Just get in the habit of doing it, and it will become second nature.
Safety Warning
Properly sharpened tools will cut through skin and bone as easily as they cut through branches and flowers. Be careful as you work. Wear gloves and eye protection. Do sharpening work on a solid surface away from children. Make sure you know what you’ll do if you accidentally cut yourself.
How To Sharpen Shears
First up aregarden shears. There are two kinds of shears. One is flat-bladed, with an anvil or flat surface. The other is often calledBonsai shears. They work like a pair of scissors.
Garden shears come in all shapes and sizes. A $10 model is all you need to start shaping bushes and small trees.
The green-handled shears you’ll see sharpened in the video below are a well-worn pair.
下面,你会看到有人在磨盆景剪刀。我不太经常使用这些,因为它们最适合小植物和开花植物的干净切割。这些东西很容易弄脏,但清理起来很快。
How To Sharpen Loppers
These are what my father always called loppers. Same principle, bigger tool. This has more of a bird-beak or bill shape that is popular with hand-held garden shears. The shape allows you to take on tough, woody branches and stems. Note how this person is applying a little oil to most surfaces and joints. It lubricates and protects steel from tree sap and air that will rust and discolor the tool.
How To Sharpen Axes
Need to sharpen anaxor a hatchet? Try this video. The same principles apply for large and or wide blades. You might have a wood chipper or log splitter that have blades that look just like this.
How To Sharpen Machetes
Similar, but different than an ax. Themachetedoes not require fine finishing as garden shears do, but it is flexible in a way that most sharp tools are not.
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Be extra careful with this one. Sling blades are similar, as are blades for scythes and sickles.
How To Sharpen Shovels And Hoes
Did you know that a shovel should be sharp too? It should at least be pointed.Shovels or spade shovelsslice into the earth with their point. A blunt point means more resistance and a more difficult time digging. Turns out, you can do forhoesand other dirt-digging tools what you do for shovels. Watch below!
史蒂夫·斯威尼(Steve Sweeney)和他的妻子、孩子住在斯威尼农场(Sweeney’s Farm),这是威斯康星州东南部一个13英亩的农场。他们养鸡、山羊、火鸡、树莓、蔬菜等等。不挖土或写农业文章的时候,史蒂夫是一名全职杂志编辑。
Pamsays
Do I have permission to share this article with my garden club members?
Kane Jamisonsays
Hi Pam, yes of course, and thanks for asking.