Easy Tool Sharpening!!
Make your tools as good as new!
There is nothing good about dull tools! They are Dangerous for you, Bad for your tree and a big pain to use.
Safety First: Before starting, it’s a good idea to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from any sharp edges. I don't because its hard enough on these old hands to do fine motor skills without gloves. However, This step can save you from getting blood all over wherever you are working.
Inspect the Shears: Check the garden shears for any rust, dirt, or sap. Clean them thoroughly using a wire brush or a steel wool pad. If your tool is very rusty you can soak them overnight horticulture vinegar ( 20% vinegar) This does such a nice job of taking off rust. Your tool will look almost new!! - your welcome.
Disassemble if Necessary: If your garden shears can be disassembled, do so to make it easier to sharpen the blade. Beware though, some of those little hand pruners are pretty complicated . My felco 8’s had me scratching my head for a while so do this only if you have let your shears get really bad. You might as well soak them in horticultural vinegar to get the rust off as well.
3. Find the beveled edge on the shears. The bevel is only on one side. If you sharpen the wrong side, you will ruin the blade and the shears won’t work unless you replace the blade. So, only sharpen the side with the bevel.
4. Sharpen the Blades: Run the garden sharpening tool along the edge of the garden shear blade, following the existing bevel. Move the sharpener in a sweeping motion from the base to the tip of the blade. Repeat this process until you achieve the desired sharpness. Draw it along the bevel about 5 times.
5. Check the Edge: Regularly check the sharpness of the blades during the sharpening process. Stop and test the shears on a piece of paper or cardboard to ensure a clean cut.
6. Clean and Reassemble: Once satisfied with the sharpness, clean any residue from the blades, rub on a little sewing machine or 2-In-One oil. If disassembled, reassemble the garden shears.
Your tool should be as good as new!
