How to Sharpen Hand Pruners

Any gardener can tell you that a good pair of hand pruners is essential during the growing season, whether it's to cut flowers or to trim dead branches off bushes. Follow these simple steps to make sure your hand pruners get the proper care.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steel wool
• Medium to fine sand paper
• Rat-tail file or whet stone
• Clean rag
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Cleaning solvent (optional)
• Lubricating oil or spray

1. Remove the nut that holds the hand pruners together. Depending on the type of pruners, it's either a bolt that you can use the wrench on or a screw. Once the connection is undone, the pruners come apart. Set the spring aside.

2. Keep the pieces together on a piece of cloth. Count the pieces.

3. Wipe the pieces clean or wash them in soapy water. Use cleaning solvent, if necessary. Watch for sharp blades. Dry them well. If tree sap or rust still remains, gently rub steel wool or fine sandpaper over the pruners to clean them.

4. Find the beveled edge. If your pruners have one beveled edge, just sharpen it. If they have 2, you must sharpen both edges.

5. Lay the file almost parallel to the blade on the outer edge of the beveled side. File all the way around the blade. Repeat this process until the cutting edge is sharp.

6. Re-assemble the pruners. Slide the 2 parts back together. Position the spring. Replace the nut or screw.

7. Test the pruners to make sure the fastener isn't too tight. Make sure the blades move correctly.

8. Spray all the moving parts with lubricating oil. Coat the blades with oil also to prevent rust. Wipe off any excess.

Tips & Warnings

• Work away from you. Don't saw the file back-and-forth.