Winter is the ideal time  to refurbish and maintain your gardening and outdoor tools. Routine maintenance not only boosts the effectiveness of your tools but also extends their lifespan significantly. This ensures that when you’re ready to start your spring gardening or outdoor tasks, your tools are in prime condition, allowing for more efficient and safer operation.

Let’s delve into the essential skills of sharpening various types of Lasher Hand Tools, including knives, axes, and a variety of garden tools. Well-known for their robustness and superior performance, these tools are especially popular in the challenging conditions of the Southern African climate, where durability and reliability are vital.

Proper maintenance of your tools not only enhances their efficiency and longevity but also ensures safety while using them. By learning the right techniques to maintain and sharpen your tools, you can ensure they continue to be reliable assets in your gardening activities season after season.

Importance of keeping your tools sharp

Sharp tools are essential for efficient and safe gardening and wood-cutting work. When tools are kept sharp, they require significantly less force to cut or slice through materials, which makes the task easier and also reduces wear on the tool itself. Less physical effort also means less strain on the user, minimising fatigue and the risk of strain-related injuries.

Dull tools, on the other hand, present various challenges and hazards. A blunt blade is more likely to slip off the surface it’s supposed to cut. This slip can cause the tool to strike unintended surfaces or bounce back, potentially leading to accidents and injuries. Furthermore, the erratic action of dull blades often results in jagged cuts, which can damage the material being worked on. In the case of gardening, uneven cuts on plants can lead to poor growth patterns and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Keeping tools sharp also ensures that cuts are clean and precise, which is particularly important in gardening. Clean cuts heal faster on plants, promoting healthier growth and reducing the risk of disease.

In wood-cutting, sharp tools help achieve smooth surfaces, reducing the need for additional sanding or finishing work. Overall, maintaining sharp edges on your tools helps in accomplishing tasks more quickly and with greater precision, enhancing the overall quality of your work, the health of your garden, and the finish of your wood projects.

What is the best way to sharpen garden tools?

Whether it’s secateurs, garden shears, or pruning shears, the technique for sharpening your gardening tools at home is straightforward and rewarding. Here’s how to keep your tools in top condition:

Step 1: Cleaning Your Tools

Before you begin sharpening, ensure that your tools are clean and free from rust and sap. Use soapy water and a stiff brush to clean the blades thoroughly. For rusted tools, consider using a wire brush or sandpaper to revive the metal surfaces.

Step 2: Sharpening your tools

File sharpening for knives

Lasher’s Farmers Friend File Tools are available in two sizes:  the 200MM tool, model FG10300, and the 250MM tool, model FG10302. The files are double sided and serve different purposes. Both have similar features but vary in length and width. The longer tool allows for a slightly longer stroke when filing, making it more suitable for larger surfaces and more rugged tasks.

Features:

1. Durability: Made from high-quality steel to ensure longevity and the ability to withstand the rigorous demands of agricultural use.
2. Design: Ergonomically designed to provide comfort and effectiveness in sharpening a variety of agricultural and garden tools.
3. Versatility: Suitable for sharpening tools such as hoes, shovels, and axes, ensuring that they maintain sharp edges for easier and more efficient cutting and digging.
4. Effectiveness: Specifically designed to remove burrs and smooth out the edges of metal tools, enhancing safety and functionality.

How to use Lasher’s Farmers Friend file tool to sharpen knives

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Ensure that you have a stable and well-lit workspace. Secure the knife in a vice or hold it firmly on a non-slip surface to prevent any movement during the sharpening process. Safety is paramount, so consider wearing cut-resistant gloves.

Step 2: Position the File

Align the file at the appropriate angle to the knife’s edge. A common angle for knives is between 20-30 degrees. Hold the handle of the file with your dominant hand and place your other hand on the end of the file to apply steady pressure and control.

Step 3: Sharpen the Edge

With firm and even pressure, push the file across the blade in a single direction, moving from the base of the blade towards the tip. Remember, only file in one direction – pushing away from your body. Repeat this motion several times, checking the sharpness intermittently. Ensure to maintain the same angle throughout for a consistent edge.

Step 4: Check and Test Sharpness

Wipe the blade with a clean cloth to remove any filings or debris. Carefully test the sharpness of your knife by cutting through a piece of paper or thin cardboard. The blade should cut cleanly and with minimal effort. If necessary, repeat the previous steps until the desired sharpness is achieved.
Keeping your knives sharp and ready for any task will prolong their life and effectiveness.

Oil stone sharpening  for axes, shears, and secateurs

For sharpening axes, shears, and secateurs, an oil stone is ideal. Oil stones can be used with oil or water to create a smooth, sharp edge on these tools. This method is well-suited for heavier blades like axes, and the precise edges needed for shears and secateurs.

Step 1: Choose the Right Oil Stone

Select an appropriate oil stone for your tools. Oil stones come in various grits; coarse grits are good for removing nicks and reshaping edges, while finer grits are used for finishing and polishing the edge. For most garden tools, starting with a medium grit and finishing with a fine grit works well.

Step 2: Apply Lubricant

Before you begin sharpening, apply a liberal amount of oil or water to the stone. This lubricant helps carry away debris and reduces heat from friction that can damage the blade.

Step 3: Position the Tool

Hold the tool securely with the blade facing upwards. Position the edge against the stone at the correct angle. For axes and shears, a 20–30-degree angle is typically recommended. For secateurs, use a slightly more acute angle, usually around 20 degrees.

Step 4: Sharpen the Blade

Using moderate pressure, slide the blade across the stone in a circular or sweeping motion, maintaining the angle consistently. Ensure you sharpen the entire length of the edge from one end to the other. Flip the tool and repeat on the other side if necessary. Continue this process, periodically reapplying lubricant, until you achieve a sharp edge.

Step 5: Hone and Test

After sharpening, you may wish to hone the edge with a finer grit stone for a smoother finish. Clean the blade and test its sharpness by making a few cuts on a suitable material, such as wood or thick cardboard. Adjust your technique and continue sharpening if needed until the desired sharpness is achieved.

This will ensure your axes, shears, and secateurs, perform their best for gardening and other outdoor tasks.

Step 3: Testing and adjusting

After sharpening, it’s important to test your tools on a few cuts to ensure they are in optimal working order. Adjust as necessary by filing any uneven spots or fine-tuning the edge.

Dos and don’ts of tool sharpening

Do:

• Always wear gloves and protective eyewear when sharpening.
• Regularly clean and sharpen your tools to prevent the build-up of materials that can degrade the blades.
• Store your tools in a dry, safe place to avoid rust and damage.

Don’t:

• Do not use a power grinder for sharpening as it can overheat the metal and compromise the tool’s strength.
• Avoid over-sharpening your tools. Excessive filing can wear down the blades prematurely.
• Never rush the sharpening process; precision is key.

Prepare for spring by taking the time during the winter months to care for your garden and outdoor tools. That way, you’re investing in the longevity and effectiveness of your entire tool collection.

Remember, a well-maintained tool is a durable and reliable one. Learn the simple art of sharpening with Lasher’s quality hand tools and make the most of your gardening experience this coming season. Happy sharpening!