Sharpen those garden tools throughout the season
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009With the recent talk of weeding the best thing to have on hand is a great set of tools to use for the job, but the tools can’t do what they were made to do if they aren’t sharpened properly and regularly. To get your lawn looking its best, the proper tool is necessary as well.
Garden tools along with weeding tools need to be sharpened several times throughout the year and possibly more often, depending on how often you use them. Here are some tips to keep in mind when sharpening those ready-to-use garden tools and weeding tools this summer.
• Use a tool bench vise when sharpening any tool. It will help hold it in place while you sharpen the blades to the points on any tool.
• Use a flat file for most tools. There are electric sharpeners, but for basic sharpening on most garden tools, a flat file will do the trick most of the time.
• Sharpen where the blade on the tool is already beveled. If you sharpen against the bevel then you are defeating the purpose of sharpening and you may even damage the tool or blade as well. And always sharpen at a 45 degree angle as well.
• Sharpen the tool away from your body and go in one direction when sharpening. Sharpening in one direction can guarantee an even sharpening.
• Wipe the sharpened tool or blade with oil when sharpening is finished. This can help keep the metal cleaner and rust free, as well as help remove any metal scraps that could result from the sharpening.
*One more tip: If you store your tools, blade-side down or tool side down in a 5-gallon bucket of regular sand that has been combined with clean, new motor oil or the like you can help keep the tools and the blades of the tools in better condition for a longer period of time.
