Cleaning and Sharpening Garden Tools

Do your garden tools look like this? Maybe with some extra mud stuck on the back?

My tools take a beating, so every so often I give them some TLC. Since it was too wet to get into my garden this spring, I tackled this task that I should have tackled in fall. What can I say – fall is always crazy busy with harvest time.

First, knock off all the excess mud with a scraper or wire brush. Then, give them a good scrub in a large bucket or utility sink. I just used plain water.

Once you’ve got the surface grime removed, dry thoroughly and buff off any rust with steel wool or sand paper. Don’t go any deeper than you need to – just aim for the rust. Rust is very bad for your tools. Try to preserve as much of the factory finish as possible. You probably want to do this outside or in an area that you don’t mind getting messy, and wear gloves, as it can be a little rough on the hands.

To sharpen, firmly clamp the tool in a vise. Using a metal file, bevel the edge of the shovel from back to front – follow the factory edge. Once you’ve created the bevel, lightly buff the opposite side to remove any burrs. The front of the shovel should be smooth, the back beveled.

On a hoe, the side facing the handle should receive the bevel.

Sharper tools are safer and make work easier, because you have to use less force to accomplish the same work.

Once you’ve got the tools cleaned and sharpened, give the blades a good coat of mineral oil or WD-40 for protection. This will help prevent future rust. I like to give the handles a coat of mineral oil to keep them from drying out and splitting.

Those look a lot nicer than what I started with, no?

If you need a little more explanation, you can watch these nice folks do a demonstration.

Now that I got them all clean, it’s time to get them dirty again. Bring on the gardening!

This post has been added to the Homestead Barn Hop at The Prairie Homestead.

10 Responses to Cleaning and Sharpening Garden Tools

Pamela @ Seeds of Nutrition | May 8, 2011 at 7:52 pm | Reply

WHOA……..Love your new look Laurie!!!!!!! And, a great post.
Laurie | May 8, 2011 at 7:58 pm | Reply

Thanks, Pamela. Still tweaking a bit, but I think this is more of the "feel" that I wanted.
Diane@Peaceful Acres Farm | May 9, 2011 at 5:20 am | Reply

You put me to shame girl! Every year I intend to do this….BUT you know what my Dad use to say about good intentions!

Love your new look!
Pamela @ Seeds of Nutrition | May 9, 2011 at 10:44 am | Reply

Laurie – am stil tweaking mine. But seem to be at a stalemate with it for now. Just seems to be no time to just sit down and get my blog to exactly where I really want it to be. It's been a try this, try that,remove this, add that and I'm still working in that mode when I can. Just too much "life" to deal with right now to give the attention I would like to give, let alone all the posts I have sitting in limbo!!!! Need to talk with my son who is my web host for some advice and tips.
SparingChange | May 11, 2011 at 6:28 pm | Reply

I had no idea I needed to do this. Can you tell I havent been gardening long?

Great post!
Laurie | May 11, 2011 at 8:24 pm | Reply

Wellllll…. you don't absolutely have to do this, but your tools will last a lot longer and work a lot better if you do. I've been gardening since I was knee high to a grasshopper, and I still learn something new every year.

Thanks for stopping by.
auburnmeadowfarm.com | October 20, 2011 at 4:59 am | Reply

Nice blog!

I love old tools and things that have been cared for this way; so much better than new stuff. Sadly, I tend to fall short of my aspirations on this stuff…. thanks for reminding me!
The Common Sense Woman | October 20, 2011 at 9:09 am | Reply

With a little care, good tools can last a lifetime. It's a hassle, but worth the time.
Pingback: New to Gardening - Start Here - Tips for Beginning GardenersCommon Sense Homesteading
Amy (Get Busy Gardening) | March 20, 2012 at 8:14 am | Reply

Great post! I have never done this and definitely need to. I’m adding it to my to do list.

Amy