Garden tool care || Clean and sharpen those blades!, by The Impatient Gardener on YouTube. 13 min 17 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 17 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Put on gloves and lay the tools on a washable surface. Open the pruners and brush loose soil from the blade, spring and pivot.
Wipe stubborn sap with a cloth and resin remover, or rub gently with steel wool. Do not scratch the cutting edge.
Inspect the blade for nicks and rust. If it is badly damaged, replace the blade or have it professionally sharpened instead of grinding away metal.
Hold the sharpening stone or diamond file at the same angle as the existing bevel. Use light pressure and stroke away from the cutting edge.
Work along the full length of the blade until the edge feels smooth and sharp. Do not sharpen the flat back of the blade unless the manufacturer says to.
Wipe away metal filings with a clean cloth. Put a thin coat of camellia oil or light tool oil on the blade and pivot.
Spray or wipe a little lubricant on the pivot, spring and moving parts. Open and close the pruners a few times so it works in.
Close the pruners and store them dry with the blade lightly oiled. Keep them out of damp sheds.
Tips and common mistakes
Sharpen only the bevelled cutting blade, not the flat side, unless the maker says otherwise.
Clean and dry the blades after every use so sap and grit do not harden on the edge.
A diamond file is useful for a quick touch-up, while a sharpening stone suits a full sharpen.
Keep oil thin and wipe off excess so grit does not stick to the blades.
Questions
Can I sharpen secateurs with a file?
Yes, a diamond file works well for a quick sharpen. Match the existing bevel and stroke away from the cutting edge.
How often should I sharpen garden pruners?
Clean them after each use and sharpen when cuts start to tear or the blade feels dull. Heavy use may need sharpening several times a season.
Should I oil pruners after sharpening?
Yes, a thin coat of light tool oil protects the blade and keeps the pivot moving freely. Wipe off excess so grit does not stick.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
