by Bronwynne Bailey, Lafayette County Master Gardener
I hope you are a better gardener than me. When I stroll through my yard to jot in my gardening journal, take photos, or check for pests, I often find neglected tools. Leaving tools outside, and we all do it, is rough on tool handles, and your hands. Sand wooden tool handles until smooth and apply a light coating of boiled linseed oil. Do this once a year to keep them smooth and splinter free. Tying a brightly colored ribbon on the handle provides a visual reminder to store your tools when you finish using them.
You may pick up that dull rusty tool and just use your strength to get the job done. However, keeping your tools sharp and clean makes digging easier. Improper storage, rocks, and tree roots quickly dull shovel blades. Maintaining tools properly is easy; even a beginner can achieve great results. I’m going to cover the method that I use and share a few other options.
You will need three items to complete the job: a wire brush for cleaning, a 10- or 12-inch bastard cut mill file for sharpening, and a lubricant (such as WD40) to prevent rust. All three items can be purchased locally or online for less than $35.
Start with a wire brush to remove accumulated dirt, debris, or superficial rust from the tool. Then secure the tool against a stable surface. You can use a vise or helper for unwieldy tools. Wearing protective gloves, apply the flat edge of the file along the blade of the tool. The file should stay flat against the edge bevel. The tool sharpens only when you push it forward towards the blade not when you pull back towards you. A few long strokes will produce a good edge without requiring excessive force. Learning the correct bevel will take practice. Too sharp and the edge will dull quickly; too blunt and digging will be difficult. Horticulturist Gary Bachman from Southern Gardening has a great video showing the process, you can view here or search on YouTube.
You can also purchase a handheld sharpener for your garden tools. Again, the cost of the tool is around $20. These sharpeners provide a guide to run along the sharp edge of the tool making it easier to use. As you pull along the tool edge the blades sharpen the edge. This sharpener has less flexibility for reaching tight angels.
The final process you can use is costlier and requires more skill. You can use power tools such as a metal grinding disc or angle grinder. Power tools are efficient and very effective but require more guided training than I can provide in this newsletter. There is a video you can watch here or search on YouTube.
Once the shovel is sharp, apply a spray lubricant on it to prevent rust. Taking proper care of shovels, hoes, hand tools, and lawn mower blades will extend their life and be easier on your muscles. Be sure to store your tools properly and avoid resting the blade against the floor. Until next week—stay sharp!
