How to Sharpen Garden Shears

For many people, gardening is a joy, a respite from the daily grind. Others do gardening to keep a presentable yard at their home. Still others garden for a living. For every kind of gardener, tools are the keys to success. Keeping these tools in good shape makes a big difference in their performance. A dull blade on your garden shears can be irritating but easily overcome.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Wet and dry 320-grit sandpaper
• File or knife sharpener
• Vise

Instructions

1. Clean the shears well before you begin work on the blades. Wipe off all the loose grime and rust. Wear gloves and safety glasses during this process to protect yourself.

2. Sand gardening shears that are used often with 320-grit sandpaper. This sanding will keep them in good shape so they won't need a big sharpening job. A drop of lubricant in the pivot screw can help keep your tools in ideal working condition.

3. File the edge about 10 strokes with a file that is approved for gardening tools. Knife-sharpening tools also can be used. Use the factory edge as a guide. You can ruin a good tool by trying to make a new cutting edge.

4. Clamp the blades of larger shears in a vise before filing. Always push the file away from your body, along the original edge that came on the file when it was new.

5. Use a piece of wet sanding paper in a circular motion to remove any burrs that are left after you file.

Tips & Warnings

• Home gardeners should refrain from using power-sharpening tools, since it is very easy to make a mistake.