From pruning trees<\/a> and shrubs<\/a>, to digging in the ground, to building a backyard pond<\/a>, your garden tools<\/a> take a beating. When your tools become dull, you have to put more muscle into every cut and dig. Sharpening your garden tools will give you cleaner cuts and less strain on your body. Learn how to easily sharpen your garden tools, and get back to perfecting your garden paradise with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n Before you start filing away at your garden tools\u2019 blades, find out which type of sharpening tool you should use.<\/p>\n\n\n Files are easy to use and can quickly grind down steel. However, the tools can be left with a rough edge, known as burrs. Burrs are like a residual wire that builds up on the opposite side of the bevel being sharpened. The bevel is the curved, shiny angle of the blade. Keeping the factory bevel evenly sharpened will help the blade make a better cut. A 10-inch bastard cut mill file<\/a> is an easy-to-handle and common choice for sharpening garden tools. If you’re unsure about which file to choose, read the file’s packaging label.<\/p>\n\n\n Sharpening stones come in a variety of grits, sizes, and materials. Sharpening stones can be made from natural stone or man-made materials. Water stones need to be coated with water, while oil stones need oil. Different blade metals require different sharpening stones.<\/p>\n\n\n Only those with experience should use a grinder for sharpening garden tools. Grinders are very powerful and can ruin the blade when not used properly. Grinders can change the shape of the blade, or cut off too much of the blade.<\/p>\n\n\n Before you begin sharpening, it\u2019s best to clean off your tools. You can use a grill wire brush<\/a> to clean off your long-handled tools, such as hoes, rakes and shovels. For pruners, loppers and hedge shears, check to see if the blades are loose. Loose blades can be the cause of an uneven or bad cut. After tightening the bolt, clean the blades. You can use foaming bathroom cleaner<\/a> to remove sap from the blades. If the blades are really dirty, scrub with steel wool<\/a> or a wire brush. Wipe away any residue with cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re sharpening, wear eye protection and work gloves<\/a> to protect yourself from metal slivers. If you don\u2019t have a steady hand, use a bench vise<\/a> to hold the pruners, loppers, or hedge trimmers for better stability.<\/p>\n\n\n To sharpen your shovel, use a bastard mill file. At a 45 degree angle, stroke the file across the edge of the shovel blade in a back and forth motion.<\/p>\n\n\n To sharpen pruners, you\u2019ll only want to sharpen the blade edge. The other edge of the pruners does not need to be sharpened. Hold the pruners in your non-sharpening hand. Stroke the sharpener against the blade\u2019s factory bevel, pulling the sharpener away from the pruner’s handles. Remember to run the file the entire length of the blade. Don\u2019t file across the pruners blade; file parallel with the blade. Do this about five times. The blade will begin to shine. You\u2019ll feel the burr start to form on the opposite side. Flip the pruners over, and remove the burr with the sharpener or sandpaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loppers can be sharpened the same way as pruners. If you\u2019re going to use a file, consider buying a file handle. A handle will let you easily use the file. Sharpen both blades of hedge shears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019ve sharpened your garden tools, you should lubricate them with oil. The oil will help prevent the formation of rust on your tools. Use non-petroleum based synthetic oils, such as silicone fluids, tung oils, and wood-derivative oils. Petroleum oil used on your tools will seep into your garden’s soil. It’s harmful for animals and vegetation. It\u2019s best to clean and sharpen your tools throughout the gardening and pruning season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With sharpened tools, you’re now ready to take on any gardening job with ease. For more how-to’s and tips for your tools, check out Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s Tools<\/a> and Gardening<\/a> blogs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If your garden tools aren’t making the cut, learn what you need to do to sharpen your garden tools and get back to your landscaping projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":4797,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1379],"tags":[1488,1489],"content_type":[1371,1373],"class_list":["post-4791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-garden","tag-outdoor-equipment-tools","tag-gardening","content_type-how-to","content_type-article"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTypes of Sharpening Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n
Files<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n
Sharpening Stones<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n
Grinders<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n
How to Sharpen Garden Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n
Shovels<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n
Pruners<\/a>, Loppers<\/a>, and Hedge Shears<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n