How to Sharpen Yard Tools

Part of properly caring for your yard tools is sharpening them from time to time. Tools like saws, shears and hatchets all require regular sharpening if they are to give you their best service. A dull blade requires more force to do the same job, which is both tiring and sometimes even dangerous. It also wears out the tool more quickly. Sharpening a blade with a file is a quick and easy process, and even sharpening a saw takes only several minutes at most.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rags
• File
• Machine oil

1. Pick the right file for the job. For example, a mill file is suitable for sharpening most flat blades, such as shears or ax heads, but a sickle requires a half-round file.

2. Wipe away dirt and grime with a wet rag, and then dry the blade.

3. Place the file along the blade at an angle matching the blade's bevel. Push the file down and across the face of the blade eight to 12 times.

4. Turn the blade over and repeat the procedure on the other side six to eight times to remove any burrs that formed on the blade during sharpening.

5. Put one to three drops of machine oil onto the blade and rub that in with a fresh rag. This will help prevent rust.

References

• Reader's Digest: How to Sharpen Tools
• Fine Gardening: Clean; Sharp Tools Work Better