You can follow these same steps to sharpen any of your garden pruning tools – whether you want to sharpen large or small hand pruners, pruning snips, hedge trimmers, or loppers. Cleaning rust off the blade with a wire brush. I also have Fiskar floral nippers, Florian rachet pruners and Corona lopping shears. You can easily sharpen your pruning shears at home with a medium or coarse diamond hand file. 4. The best and simplest was is to use a 10 in. After 10-15 minutes, you can remove and rinse them without any scrubbing. Some garden centers will sharpen pruning shears for a fairly reasonable price, but it is a job that a do-it-yourself-gardener can manage at home. If the edges are jagged, you need to sharpen your scissors. How to Sharpen Pruning Shears. Test for sharpness > Draw a five-point star about the size of a dime on a sheer piece of fabric. Using pruning shears to regularly trim perennial flowers and fruit trees, deadhead blooming plants, or cut long, wayward branches out of shrubs encourages overall plant health, while refreshing your yard and garden’s overall appearance. Once you’ll be through every word of this 1000-words guide, sharpening loppers will be of no difficulty at all. Sharp pruning shears make life easier than a pair of dull, rusty shears. This will make your hard work last much longer, and protect the metal from future rust and grime buildup. The best shears on today's market for cutting through thick hedges are Fiskars PowerGear 9 in. In this case you might use another technique on how to sharpen this kind of lopper. Grass shears come in handy when trimming around fence posts, along garden edging and in other areas where your lawnmower can't reach. Always file away from your body to avoid scratching yourself. Motor oil. Share your tips for how to sharpen garden shears in the comments section below. Once you’ve cleaned your pruning shears and removed the rust, now it’s time to sharpen them. Step 8: Polish the blades with lubricating oil – For this step, I like to use a more natural product, like linseed oil or mineral oil. Once you get a clean and easy cut, then you know you’re done. Updated : March 1, 2016. References. The more regularly you maintain your pruners, the faster the sharpening chore goes. Rag. Soft Cushion Grip Handle for … But you could certainly use 3-in-one or WD-40, if that’s what you have on hand. You may also use bypass hand pruners which also, help you cut leaf blades or thin tree branches. The first thing you need to do before sharpening it is to put protective gloves on and also your googles. Step 3: Use a wire brush to remove tough rust spots – First, brush off any thick rust spots with a wire brush. Sharpening pruning shears is a proper process that requires attention but nothing too difficult. How To Organize Gardening Tools & Supplies, How To Trim Tree Branches Yourself: A Step-By-Step Pruning Guide, Lasagna Gardening 101: How To Make A Lasagna Garden, 7 Easy DIY Potting Soil Recipes To Mix Your Own, How To Make Potting Soil For Indoor Plants, Terms Of Use, Disclaimer and Privacy Policy, Something to test your cuts (e.g. long mill file. But if you really want to give them a good sharpen, you can also take them apart to sharpen the blade. Mike McGroarty’s Favorite Pruning Shears. Sharp pruning shears make life easier than a pair of dull, rusty shears. Pruning shears have three main components: blades, springs, and handles. Sharpen or replace blades > Do this as needed to ensure optimal cutting performance. 10-inch mill file. To make sure you have a pair of nice and sharp pruning shears, follow the following steps: Step 1 – Clean the Blades. In this case you might use another technique on how to sharpen this kind of lopper. It takes only about 10 minutes to sharpen hand pruners in relatively good condition. All it takes are: A fine-toothed flat file, or a sharpening stone A few drops of machine oil A little care and patience. Sharp tools make all the difference when tackling pruning chores. 4) Sharpen the blade. Not only are they better for your plants, but maintaining sharp blades will make pruning so much easier for you too. How to sharpen pruning shears with a file. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to clean your pruning shears, read on! For the hand prune we will need to use a carbide tool. Fiskars All Steel Bypass Pruning Shears. 9.3 How do you clean hand pruners? Now they should be clean, sharpened and ready to go! 70 Comments. My gardening shears never look close to 100% clean and they never will. Scissor sharpeners. Fiskars Steel Bypass Pruning Shears Developed by Fiskars , this gardening tool is designed from hardened steel, which makes it extremely durable. We’ve crafted a three-stage guide on how to sharpen loppers by two different cutting mediums. 2) SAP REMOVER & RAG. 9.1 Which is better between bypass and anvil pruners? Scissor sharpeners. Even quality pruning shears and hedge clippers need sharpening from time to time to maintain their edge, and it makes a great project on a cold or rainy day. Pruning shears have to be sharpened periodically in order for you to be able to use them at their best. With a little bit of time and elbow grease, you can have those old rusty garden tools looking and working like new again. This can cause them to stick together, which makes them difficult to use. You may also use bypass hand pruners which also, help you cut leaf blades or thin tree branches. The two blades come in contact near the base of the tool and cut all the way to the tip of the shears… Sharp tools make all the difference when tackling pruning chores. Well, the first step is investing in some of the best pruning shears, and we’ve got you covered. Sharp garden tools are not only easier to use, but much better for the plants they're cutting. If your pruning shears have gotten dull, or if you just want to keep them working as effectively as possible, follow these steps to learn how to sharpen pruning shears! What You'll Need to Clean and Sharpen Your Pruners . Grass shears cut the grass by using a scissoring action. How to Sharpen Pruners With a Sharpening Stone. Run the file from the base to the pointed tip several times. Sharpen or replace blades > Do this as needed to ensure optimal cutting performance. If that’s the case with yours, you only need to sharpen the blade side, and leave the flat side alone. I try to make a habit of sharpening my garden tools in the off-season too. 8 How to Sharpen Garden Shears with a Stone; 9 Frequently Asked Questions. Then, file the backsides with a few more strokes to remove the rough edges. It only takes a few minutes to get the blades all shined up and looking brand new (plus it’s a really good tricep workout, bonus!). The two blades come in contact near the base of the tool and cut all the way to the tip of the shears… Before you begin to scour a metal surface with another, it’s best to make sure it’s clean first. How to Sharpen and Clean Pruning Shears. Even so, sharpening blades at the end of each season will ensure the longevity of tools. As an added protection to the tool, the blade has been coated in an UltraBlade coating, which is designed to actually make the shears perform better than traditional stainless steel blades. Grass shears come in handy when trimming around fence posts, along garden edging and in other areas where your lawnmower can't reach. Pruning Shears QuikFit™ Interchangeable Tool System ... reel mowers, hedge shears, pruners, loppers, axes and more. After 10-15 minutes, you can remove and rinse them without any scrubbing. How to Sharpen Pruning Shears. Flat files are excellent to sharpen the blades on these Fiskars tools. Before sharpening pruning shears, it’s a good idea to clean them to remove any gunk that has built up over time. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Lubricate pruners with a few drops of oil such as WD-40 ® or 3-in-1 oil in between all moving parts. It has a unique gear mechanism and rotating handle movement, which reduces pressure for maximum power and less effort on every cut. Sharpening the blade of my pruning shears. Even quality pruning shears and hedge clippers need sharpening from time to time to maintain their edge, and it makes a great project on a cold or rainy day. Reich is a horticultural consultant and the author of The Pruning Book, published by The Taunton Press. We’ve crafted a three-stage guide on how to sharpen loppers by two different cutting mediums. Don’t press too hard. How to sharpen pruning shears with a file. Whether you’re pruning, hedge cutting or edging your lawn, at Homebase, we’ve got great garden shears for your outdoor trimming and tidying tasks. The file works very well on hedge and pruning shears. Soak pruning shears in a pine oil solution for less corrosive sanitation. Wipe the shear blades after each use and oil them frequently to prevent rapid blade deterioration. For gardeners who spend barely four hours a week pruning, one good sharpening a year may be adequate. It has to be done a certain way, ... For this particular tutorial, I’m using my Fiskars short handled pruning shears. A must-have tool for most gardens, a good pair of hedge shears can be used to keep trees, shrubs and hedges healthy and looking good. The answer to that is simple, it really depends on what you like. While you’re at it, make sure to clean the handles and other parts too, don’t just focus on the blade. How to sharpen garden shears. Make sure you have a good time in the kitchen by sharpening your shears. Wrench (optional) Table vise. Pine oil is less corrosive than bleach, but also less effective. Never let your trusty scissors go dull again! Testing the sharpness of my garden shears. But if yours are as neglected as mine have been, then follow these steps to clean them up. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. A cheap pruning shear will deteriorate quickly and you will not be able to resharpen it very effectively. If necessary, rub orange essential oil or a product like Goo Gone onto the blade to remove any tough gunk and sticky sap. Removing rust from the blade with steel wool. How to Sharpen Pruning Shears. Try and remember what goes where. Pruning, aka not that thing that happens to your fingers when you spend too much time soaking in water. This article has been viewed 40,230 times. 9.5 How do you sterilize pruning shears… If you're not sure whether they're mean… The good news is, you have several options to choose from. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. LOL! A Master Gardner explains how to Sharpen Pruning Shears and other Garden tools Tube. How to Sharpen Pruning Shears. By using our site, you agree to our. Also, avoid using garden shears as pruning shears. : plant stems or leaves). So, if any of your pruning tools look like my hedge trimmers, then follow these steps to remove the rust from the blade. There’s no need to spend a bunch of money either. Make sure when sharpening to do so at the same angle as the blade, and if there are any cuts or notches on the blade, take extra care to file those out as well. After you buff off the rust, rinse the blades again. Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. With a medium or coarse diamond hand file, you can easily sharpen your pruning shears in a few minutes. The Fiskars Micro Pruning Shears is one of the most well-known shears for herbs and almost all plants. Step 2: Scrub them if necessary – If there’s caked on dirt and grime that won’t come off easily, use a cleaning brush to scrub it off. A lot of manufacturers boast that their pruner blades are made out of “carbon steel,” stainless steel, or some other metal that’s supposed to be especially hard—or that special blade coatings prevent rust. Established in 1874, the store has used the same tool to sharpen scissors for more than a century: a wet sharpening stone in the shape of a wheel, much like the ones used during the 1800s. Plus you don’t need many supplies to get the job done. You can also subscribe without commenting. This product comes in a 2 pack and has a full lifetime warranty. I know, right? This might simply be a matter of wiping them off with a damp rag, if they’re not very dirty. 🙂. Pruning, aka not that thing that happens to your fingers when you spend too much time soaking in water. Duration : 3.47 Mins. If the star edges are clean, your scissors are sharp enough. Never let your trusty scissors go dull again! Many types of pruners are only sharp on one side of the blade, and the other side is flat. For all other types of pruning shears, repeat this step on the opposite blade. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. How to Sharpen Pruning Shears. You should then put the shears into a vise and flex the blades until they are straight. You can easily sharpen your pruning shears at home with a medium or coarse diamond hand file. Simply spray the blade with the lubricating oil of your choice. Out comes the blade, and now you can either Sharpening pruning tools. Position your body behind the handles side of the shears so that as you push the hand file forwards you are going from the hinge to the tips the shears. How to Sharpen Grass Shears By Amelia Allonsy Things You'll Need. How do you sharpen Fiskars pruning shears? In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to clean and sharpen garden shears, step by step. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. long mill file. Understanding The Different Types Of Pruning Shears. Secateurs become blunt with use and misuse, making them difficult to use and causing damage when pruning. Motor oil. I shared with you the other day that I have a great pair of garden pruners that have been with me for about ten years now. What a difference it makes to use steel wool to clean up the rust on the blades. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to clean your pruning shears, read on! Repeat the same action 10-20 times (for super dull blades, it could take 25-30 strokes). You probably already have most of this stuff around the house. 10-inch mill file. … Sharpening pruning shears is very important in order to get the perfect cut every time! Tips on How to Sharpen Other Types of Loppers. You want to achieve a razor-sharp edge, but don’t reduce the beveled edge to less than 1 millimeter thickness. Sharpening pruning tools. Step 5: Find the correct angle – Hold the sharpening tool against the blade at the same angle of the existing bevel (usually about a 20-25 degree angle). Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. The hard, diamond-coated, steel file easily removes nicks and burrs and restores blade sharpness in just a few passes. Rag. Garden and yard work is fulfilling and relaxing, but only when you have the right tools. Amazon.com : Fiskars 399241-1002 Micro-Tip Pruning Snips, Non-Stick Blades 2 Pack Orange : Garden & Outdoor I think I have a project for the hubby 🙂. Q: How to sharpen pruning shears? It’s frustrating trying to cut with a pair of dull scissors. Fiskars All Steel Bypass Pruning Shears. Sharp blades make tidy cuts, whereas dull blades tend to tear and crush stems and branches. Test for sharpness > Draw a five-point star about the size of a dime on a sheer piece of fabric. Then use dry rag to rub it in, and wipe off the excess. Remove any nicks with a file first. Once you’ll be through every word of this 1000-words guide, sharpening loppers will be of no difficulty at all. Learn how to sharpen scissors Follow these five easy steps to keep both you and your blades sharp for everyday snipping. Pruning Shears. This will get rid of any impediments that might get in the way while sharpening the blade. If you have bypass or anvil style pruners, you will only sharpen the beveled cutting blade. Check to see if your pair of secateurs can be taken apart for maintenance. Make sure you always keep the file at the same angle during the entire stroke. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Flat files are excellent to sharpen the blades on these Fiskars tools. Learn how to sharpen scissors Follow these five easy steps to keep both you and your blades sharp for everyday snipping. How do I sharpen what we call "clopping shears" (bigger than pruning shears)? Now you can sit back, and enjoy your beautifully sharp and like-new pruners. Powerful pruning is easier than ever Fiskars PowerGear Pruner P94 is a fantastic example of Fiskars design expertise. Use to sharpen blades on pruners, loppers, hedge sheers, snips and more. ... Also, you’d need to re-sharpen the shears once in a while. Then secure the pruning tool blade in the bench vise. To prevent putting a lot of stress on the pivot nut and bending the blades, avoid cutting thicker branches or dried wood. Before you begin to scour a metal surface with another, it’s best to make sure it’s clean first. Pruning shears are one of the most important tools to have in your garden. They all need a clean and a sharpen every once in a while so I will give you an easy step by step as to how I do it. It's a good idea to have your best scissors (such as sewing shears) sharpened by a professional. Then using your preferred sharpening tool, use numerous (10 to 15) smooth strokes, moving the blade in one direction, from the base toward the tip. unlocking this expert answer. Carefully dismantle this. Flat files are excellent to sharpen the blades on these Fiskars tools. Before we dig into the nitty gritty of this article, let’s have a chat about which pruning shears are best. 9.2 What are the best hand pruners? Submerge shears in a basin filled with 1 c (240 ml) pine oil and 3 c (710 ml) water. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The blade itself has a non-stick, micro-tip fully hardened, stainless steel blade that makes precise and clean cuts. Plenty of advanced features, easy to use. Exactly! If the star edges are clean, your scissors are sharp enough. After you clean the shears and remove rust with a piece of steel wool, use the file to sharpen the cutting blade of the shears. The more regularly you maintain your pruners, the faster the sharpening chore goes. That could do more harm than good, and cause the metal to rust faster. Plants will recover more quickly from clean cuts, and your muscles will thank you as well. Your email address will not be published. Make one smooth stroke with the file from the base of each shear blade to the tip. After years of expertly trimming roses or removing twigs from ornamental shrubs, your pruning shears … Therefore, if you’ve never sharpening a lopper first hand, hold your horses and take a few minutes to go through the entire post. Step 4: Clean rust off the blades with steel wool – Now you can scrub the blade with steel wool to clean off any remaining rust. Keep pruning shears working their best with regular maintenance sharpening whenever you notice pruning is more … Just stack several pieces of aluminum foil and cut through them with your scissors to get those blades sharp. Last Updated: March 7, 2020 Many gardeners find pruning shears to be one of the handiest tools in their arsenal. I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! Otherwise, skip to section 3: Sharpening Pruning Shears below. Once you’ve cleaned your pruning shears and removed the rust, now it’s time to sharpen them. A very good video demonstration on how to set up, sharpen and clean your felco pruners secateurs.. GardenSure.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. After rinsing the blades, dry them with a towel. Wipe the shear blades after each use and oil them frequently to prevent rapid blade deterioration. Plus, taking the time to sharpen them on a regular basis will not only make them last longer, pruning plants will be sooooo much easier for you (and healthier for your garden too)! It is a good idea to have a best pair for pruning and a cheap second pair for jobs like cutting back herbaceous plants. Now check out our Flower & Plant Guide You can follow these same steps to sharpen any of your garden pruning tools – whether you want to sharpen large or small hand pruners, pruning snips, hedge trimmers, or loppers. Grass shears cut the grass by using a scissoring action. These are great tips to do during fall and winter! Plenty of advanced features, easy to use. I shared with you the other day that I have a great pair of garden pruners that have been with me for about ten years now. To prevent rust on your sharpened pruning shears, dip a soft cloth in linseed oil and gently wipe the cloth over the blades.