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Very Carefully..Mar 24 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Sharpening hand tools is not too difficult if you just follow a few easy steps.
Sharpening your garden tools is, of course, a must. Unless, that is, you enjoy working yourself fourteen times as hard as necessary. First, how will you know when your tool needs sharpening? Simply this: if it doesn't seems to be cutting or chopping effectively, it probably needs sharpening. If the blade edge is somewhat rounded off or is dented from hitting stones, then it should be sharpened. If you continue to sharpen your tools correctly and care for them well, they should serve you for a few decades--yes, decades. At home I have garden hoes that my grandparents used when they were children--and they still work fine. To sharpen your tool, you will need a simple metal file from your local hardware store. The typical file is about one inch wide by one foot long. Don't buy a cheap one, as it will wear out quickly. Buy a good file, and it will last many years. The first step is to hold the tool firmly in place. This is best done with a vise or a clamp. Then, with the edge of the blade facing towards you, place the file along the slant of the edge. Sharpen so that the file's teeth are biting in as you push away from yourself. So a blade should be sharpened from the edge of the blade towards the back. Try to keep the same angle on the edge as was originally there. If you make the edge too blunt, the blade will not cut well; if you make the blade angle too acute, the edge of the blade will be weak and you will wear away most of the blade in just a few sharpenings. Happy gardening!  |
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