How To Sharpen Garden Tools

A blooming and flourishing garden requires lots of efforts on the part of the gardener, along with the right type of tools. Those who love gardening understand the need for having tools that are sharp and well maintained. However, regular usage causes much wear and tear to gardening implements. In such a case, you can either take your tools to a professional or sharpen them at home itself. In case you are at a loss regarding the second option, go through the following lines and get a complete idea on how to sharpen garden tools.

Sharpening Garden Tools

Before you start the process of sharpening gardening shears, you need to check the pivot nut. If it is loose or snug, it could be one of the reasons for the tools not working properly. After tightening the nut, check the tool and ascertain whether it is working properly or not. If it is cutting cleanly, there is no need for sharpening.
If the tool is not cutting properly even after tightening the nut, it is the time to check the blade. Make sure that it is not bent. In case it is twisted, loosen the pivot nut and separate the blades. Now, straighten the blade by putting it in a vise and tweaking it.
Take a sheet of 300-grit wet/dry sandpaper and place it on a smooth, flat piece of plywood. As you start filing the blade, you will feel the burrs on the backside of each blade.
The burrs on the blade will have to be removed by lightly sanding its backside. While keeping the blade flat, move it in a circular motion. After you have moved the blade a number of times, try to feel its edge. If the burrs have disappeared, assemble the blades and lightly oil the moving parts. The shears should now cut smoothly.
Take the pruning blade and file its edges, by using two hands on the file. Starting at the point, follow the curve of the factory bevel and make one complete stroke, from the point to the base of the blade. Now, start applying pressure, in a direction away from you. After sometime, you will feel the appearance of the burrs once again. Sand the burrs, in the same way as you did in the previous step.
File the inside curve of the blunt blade, using a smooth 10-in. half-round file, to make it perfectly flat. While filing the blade, you will need to make sure that you hold the file at an angle of exactly 90 degrees to the inside curve. After the surface becomes flat, use a 300-grit paper to sand both side surfaces of the blade and get rid of any burrs.
Take the clippers and check the pivot nut, for any chances of it being loose or snug. After tightening the nut, it is the time to oil the clippers. Now, give it a thorough check. If they are still not working properly, it is the time to make use of the following steps.
Remove the pivot nut and separate the blades. With the cutting edge up, hold one of the blades on a wood block. Keep on pulling the scissors sharpener firmly from the base of the blade to the point, till the blade becomes sharp. Repeat the same procedure with the other blade.
Take 300-grit sandpaper, sand the backside of one blade. While keeping the blade flat, move it in a circular motion. Repeat the same procedure with the other blade. Finally, reassemble the clippers and lightly oil the moving parts.

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