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
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
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
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!
11 Responses to “Cleaning and Sharpening Garden Tools”
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WHOA……..Love your new look Laurie!!!!!!! And, a great post.
Thanks, Pamela. Still tweaking a bit, but I think this is more of the "feel" that I wanted.
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!
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.
I had no idea I needed to do this. Can you tell I havent been gardening long?
Great post!
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.
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!
With a little care, good tools can last a lifetime. It's a hassle, but worth the time.
[...] Good tools will same time and effort, and your back. Keep tools clean and sharp, just like you should treat a good knife. (Learn how to clean and sharpen tools here.) [...]
Great post! I have never done this and definitely need to. I’m adding it to my to do list.
Amy
Here’s another tip to make tool maintenance easier… I put a plastic tote (with a lid) outside my garden shed. I fill it with sand them keep dumping my drain oil into the sand. When I am done with a tool, I stab it into the sand a few times. This cleans the tool and adds a protective coating of oil. Replace the lid when not in use…