Hedge shears are an essential tool for keeping your garden in tip-top shape. However, if you don’t take care of them properly, they will quickly become dull and ineffective.
In fact, many people don’t realize just how important it is to sharpen their hedge shears on a regular basis. From improved performance to reduced fatigue, there are numerous benefits that come from sharpening your hedge shears.
Therefore, in order for them to perform properly, you need to make sure that the blades are sharp. One way to ensure that your hedge shears stay sharp is to sharpen them on a regular basis with a stone or other sharpening tool.
In this guide, we will explain how to sharpen hedge shears with a stone so that you can get the most out of your tools and keep your hedges looking their best. Read on to learn more about why it’s so important and how you can do it yourself.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Sharpen Your Hedge Shears
Hedge shears are designed for cutting through thick, woody stems and branches, so having a sharp blade is essential for getting the job done quickly and efficiently.
- With dull blades, you’ll have to exert more force which will cause your hands and arms to become quickly fatigued.
- Additionally, if your blades aren’t as sharp as they should be then they won’t cut cleanly through the stems and branches which can lead to torn or jagged edges that won’t look as neat and tidy as they should.
- Finally, dull blades can also be dangerous because they require more force to use which increases the chances of slips or cuts happening while you’re trimming your hedges.
Preparing Your Gear
Before you begin, it’s important to gather all the necessary supplies. You will need a stone specifically designed for sharpening tools like hedge shears, as well as some oil (canola or vegetable oil works well) and a cloth.
Make sure that the stone is appropriate for use with metal tools; using the wrong type of stone can damage the blades of your hedge shears. When you’re ready to begin, lay out all the items on a flat surface so that they are easily accessible.
Sharpening Your Hedge Shears
Once you have all of your supplies laid out, it’s time to begin sharpening your hedge shears.
- Start by applying a few drops of oil onto each side of the blade; this will help lubricate the blade and make it easier to sharpen without damaging it.
- Next, position the blade against the stone at an angle of approximately 15 degrees and move it back and forth over the surface using firm pressure; continue doing this until there is no visible burr on either side of the blade (this should take about 5 minutes).
- Then turn over the blade and repeat the process on the other side until there is no more burr visible on either side.
- Finally, wipe off any excess oil from both sides of the blade with a clean cloth before storing it away in its case or hanging it up in its holder – this will help prevent rust from occurring while not in use.
Safety Tips
When sharpening your hedge shear with a stone, always remember to wear safety goggles and gloves at all times!
This will protect your eyes from any particles that may fly off when grinding against the stone as well as prevent any cuts or nicks from occurring while handling such a sharp object.
Additionally, be sure to keep an eye on any children nearby who might be curious about what you are doing – always let them know not to touch anything so they stay safe! Lastly, never leave any tools lying around unattended – always put them away after use!
Preventative Maintenance Steps You Can Take
Although it’s important to sharpen your hedge shear blades regularly there are certain preventative steps that you should take in order to ensure that they stay sharper for longer periods of time.
For starters always make sure that before each use you lubricate your blades with a few drops of lubricating oil like WD-40 – this will help reduce any friction between the blades when cutting through thick stems or branches which will prevent them from becoming dull too quickly (and also reduce any fatigue in your hands or arms).
Additionally, always make sure that after each use you thoroughly clean off any dirt or debris from both sides of each blade – this will help reduce corrosion over time which could otherwise damage or blunt your blades prematurely!
Conclusion:
Sharpening hedge shears with a stone doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult! With our step-by-step guide and tips above, you can easily keep your garden looking its best without ever having to spend money on new tools again!
All it takes is some patience and practice – so grab those supplies and get started today! Just remember safety first!
Always wear protective gear when working with sharp objects such as these, keep children away from work areas whenever possible, and never leave any tools unattended after use for anyone’s safety! Good luck!