Japanese Garden

How to Sharpen Garden Tools – The Ultimate Beginner's Guide



A sharp tool will make your gardening easier and more enjoyable.

Learn how to sharpen a garden tool with a simple, human powered tool, a file.

Table of Contents:

00:14 – Why sharpen at all?
00:32 – Who is this video for?
02:26 – Steps Breakdown
02:38 – Selecting a File
05:16 – Cleaning Your Tool
06:39 – Securing Your Tool
07:54 – The Sharpening Stroke
08:43 – Sharpening Angle Discussion
09:17 – Filing Begins
10:57 – Assessing the Angle
12:31 – Nearing Completion: Feeling for a burr
14:02 – File Care
15:20 – Outro

Thanks for watching!

Find a quality sharpening file here: https://www.thetoolmerchants.com/store/shop-and-tool-care/sharpening-tools/sharpening-file-half-round-farmers/

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32 Comments

  1. I sharpen mine when they get to dull to cut. I use my angle grinder to buzz their edges until the are sharp enough to get the job done. This is the same too that I use to sharpen my lawnmower blades. If you buy files, as I do, buy Nicholson files. They are the best and last the longest. I generally use smooth files more than bastard files. I have both. If I have a tool with a real damaged area I use my angle grinder to clean it up and get it re-profiled and then dress it up with a smooth file. If the edge is not that bad I just hit it with a file if it needs a sharp edge. Most hand tools do not need a sharp edge, like hoes and shovels, because they get dull, quick. Most of my yard hand tools get buzzed with my angle grinder.

  2. Do you really think that getting rid of the burr on a garden tool makes any difference? We’te talking about a tool that goes into soil, it’s not mike you’re going to shave your forearm with it

  3. Mate, how universal are you for folks who want to sharpen their tools. I'm an Australian and wish you well. Good on ya Mate!

  4. Very helpful for first timers. However it was not clear which side of the file was used. The tips on using the vice & cleaning off rust was great but would like to know what type of oil to use after cleaning blade with vinegar. Overall a well recorded easy to understand speech, good details & almost perfect.

  5. Thank you for this very helpful tutorial. Clear and concise, it gives me confidence about sharpening my garden tools.

  6. Thanks so much! I have tools that have never been sharpened and was wondering how to care for them.

  7. Your demonstration and explanation are terrific. You gave needed information about how to maintain files, also. Thank you!

  8. Thank you. This video was very helpful for me since I have never sharpened a tool before. It gave me the basic understanding of the files and the angles to properly sharpen.

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