Keeping your garden tools in top condition not only prolongs their lifespan but also significantly enhances your gardening experience. A well-maintained set of garden shears, in particular, ensures clean, precise cuts that promote healthy plant growth and reduce the risk of disease transmission. Plus, using sharp tools requires less force, which means less strain on your hands and wrists. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned green thumb, this detailed guide will equip you with everything you need to know to sharpen your garden shears effectively and safely.
Prioritise Safety
Before embarking on the task of sharpening your garden shears, remember that safety should always be your primary concern. Small fragments of metal can break off during the sharpening process, posing potential hazards. Wearing protective eyewear will shield your eyes from these particles, while sturdy gloves can protect your hands both from metal shards and from the sharpened blades. Also, ensure that your workspace is well-lit and stable to prevent any accidents.
Prepping the Shears: Cleanliness is Key
A crucial first step in the sharpening process is cleaning your shears thoroughly. This step removes any accumulated dirt, plant sap, or rust that could interfere with the sharpening. Use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to scrub away the grime, employing a stiff brush for stubborn spots.
If rust is present, you may need to use steel wool or a specially formulated rust remover product. After cleaning, dry your shears completely. Any leftover moisture can lead to rust formation, which can dull your newly sharpened blades.
Dismantling the Shears: An Easier Way to Sharpen
To facilitate a smoother sharpening process, it’s beneficial to dismantle your shears if possible. Many garden shears feature a central screw that can be loosened to separate the two blades. Once separated, you can work on each blade individually, allowing for better control and precision. However, if your shears don’t disassemble, don’t fret – you can still proceed with the sharpening.
Recognise the Bevel
An essential aspect of sharpening garden shears involves identifying the bevel – the slanted surface at the cutting edge of each blade. This is the part you’ll sharpen. It’s crucial to maintain the existing angle of the bevel to ensure that your shears continue to function as intended.
Choosing Your Sharpening Tool
The type of tool you use to sharpen your shears depends on your personal preference and what you have on hand. Common tools include a flat file, a whetstone, or a rotary tool with a grinding attachment. A flat file is a suitable option for most types of shears and is a good starting point for beginners due to its simplicity and affordability.
The Sharpening Process
Once you have your flat file at the ready, place it against the bevel of one of the blades. Applying firm but controlled pressure, push the file away from your body, maintaining the angle of the bevel. Continue with this motion, taking care to keep the file’s angle consistent with the bevel. This action ensures you’re sharpening the blade without altering its intended shape.
One Blade at a Time
When you’ve disassembled your shears, it’s best to sharpen one blade at a time. This approach enables you to concentrate fully on the task at hand and achieve the best possible result before moving on to the second blade.
Monitoring Your Progress
During the sharpening process, it’s important to regularly check your progress. However, remember that safety comes first.
Instead of running your finger along the blade to gauge its sharpness (a common but dangerous practice), run your gloved thumb across the blade edge instead. This allows you to feel the sharpness without the risk of cutting yourself.
Second Blade Sharpening
Having finished sharpening the first blade to your satisfaction, you can now proceed to the second one. Repeat the same process, maintaining the bevel’s angle and regularly checking your progress. With a bit of patience, you’ll soon have both blades of your garden shears sharp and ready for action.
Removing the Burr
Sharpening a blade often results in the formation of a ‘burr’ – a thin ridge of metal on the un-beveled side of the blade. The presence of a burr is actually a good sign; it indicates that you’ve sharpened the blade sufficiently. However, the burr itself can interfere with the shears’ functionality, so you’ll need to remove it.
To do this, you’ll use your flat file again, but this time you’ll gently run it along the un-beveled side of the blade. This action ‘knocks off’ the burr, leaving behind a smooth, sharp blade edge.
Reassembling Your Shears
With the sharpening process complete and the burrs removed, it’s time to reassemble your shears if you had dismantled them. Make sure to align the blades correctly and tighten the central screw securely. You should be able to open and close the shears smoothly, without any catching or sticking.
Lubricating Your Shears
The final step in your shears’ maintenance routine is lubrication. Applying a light oil (like WD-40 or a similar product) to the blades and the pivot point of the shears not only ensures smooth operation but also offers protection against rust.
To apply the oil, open the shears and lightly spray or dab oil onto the blades and the pivot point. Then, open and close the shears a few times to distribute the oil evenly. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning, sharpening, and oiling, is key to ensuring your garden shears stay in top form and provide many years of reliable service. Remember, not only is it easier and healthier for your plants to cut with a clean, sharp blade, but it’s also much safer for you. So make tool maintenance a routine part of your gardening schedule.
