It’s a common belief that the best way to sharpen garden tools is by using an electric lawnmower. While this may be true in some cases, it can also be very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. There are many other ways to ensure the safety and efficiency of your gardening tools, and these tips can even save you money in the long run! So, what is the best way to sharpen garden tools?
First, you should never leave sharpening tools on their own. Yes, the kids at school may have them, but you should always supervise the use of such things. I recently watched a video about using a wheelbarrow, and there was a clear discussion about how important it is to always put the tools down before using them. This is a very good safety tip!
Never leave sharpening tools in the water. For all of the reasons mentioned above, this is a no-brainer. Not only can it be dangerous but it can damage your tools over time. I recently watched a video about old garden tools, and one of the things that was being demonstrated was how to turn them in the water. It was impressive to see just how quickly and easily water can damage metal objects!
If you plan to store your sharpening tools in the basement or garage, be sure to clean them before storing them away. This includes sharpening them as well! If you plan to store them indoors, make sure you keep them in a dry area, with no leaks. You can never have too much moisture in this environment, so it’s always a good idea to keep your sharpening tools in a dry place and away from water.
It goes without saying that you will need a sharpening tool for your lawn mower, and your garden tools, and your chain saw. However, many people overlook the simple tool, the angle grinder. There are numerous uses for this small tool, and you’ll find that sharpening garden tools with angle grinder is often times the easiest way to get the best results. It can also help take off the sharp ends from your gardening shears.
Also, keep in mind that you may want to use multiple sharpening tools to sharpen your tools. You may have some lying around in your garage. It’s surprising just how many people actually own more than one sharpening tool. I once owned three different types of sharpeners, and had several tools in-between. I’d bring one out for the yard work, one out for cutting firewood, and one out for cleaning up around the house.
You will be surprised at just how much each tool can be used. Not only should you be sharpening your tools regularly, but you should also store your sharpeners properly. Make sure that your sharpening tools are stored so that they don’t get too hot or too cold, and so that they don’t get damaged.
Also, keep in mind that not all sharpeners will give the same results. I find it best to test a new sharpener on a small portion of the material before using it extensively in an attempt to duplicate the same result with a big sharpener. You can always sharpen your own tools if you find the need, but it certainly won’t be as fast or as easy. If you are in a pinch, though, there are many sharpeners out there that are specifically made for just this purpose – and they are very reasonably priced. If you’re serious about your gardening, it may well pay off to try out a few different sharpeners before deciding what the best option is for you.