As a gardener and tool lover, I know that keeping garden tools sharp isn’t just about making work easier; it’s also about keeping plants healthy and making tools last longer. Let me teach you everything I know about sharpening tools, from the basics to the best tools for the job.
Why Keeping Garden Tools Sharp Matters
- Clean cuts heal faster and prevent disease spread
- Sharp tools require less effort and reduce fatigue
- Well-maintained tools last longer
- Sharp blades give precision control for delicate pruning
- Dull tools can damage plants and create ragged cuts
Essential Garden Tool Sharpeners You Need
1. Basic Hand Sharpeners
These simple, portable sharpeners are perfect for quick touch-ups:
- Garden Tool Sharpener ($16.50) – Great for basic maintenance
- Quick Sharpener Tool by Corona ($14.95) – Compact and effective
- GardenSharp by AccuSharp ($11.95) – Perfect for single-edged blades
- Multi Sharp Pruner Sharpener ($16.95) – Specifically designed for pruners
2. Complete Sharpening Kits
For serious gardeners who maintain multiple tools
- Garden Tool Sharpening Kit ($38.16) – Comprehensive set
- Multi Sharp Complete Garden Tool Sharpening Kit ($42.95) – Professional grade
- DMT Mini-Hone Sharpener Kit ($32.95) – Diamond sharpening technology
3. Specialized Sharpeners
Task-specific options for particular tools:
- Mower Blade and Tool Sharpener ($15.50)
- Pruner Sharpener ($15.25)
- Shear Sharpener ($16.95)
- Axe & Tool Sharpener ($17.95)
How to Sharpen Different Garden Tools
Pruning Shears
- Clean the blades thoroughly
- Identify the beveled edge
- Hold sharpener at same angle as bevel (usually 20-25 degrees)
- Draw sharpener along blade 5-10 times
- Wipe clean and apply lubricant
Loppers and Hedge Shears
- Secure tool in vice if possible
- Use longer strokes with sharpener
- Maintain consistent angle
- Sharpen both blades equally
- Test cut on small branch
Spades and Shovels
- Remove dirt and rust
- Clamp tool securely
- File at 45-degree angle
- Work from center outward
- Apply rust preventative
Maintenance Tips & Tricks
- Clean tools after each use
- Store tools in dry place
- Apply lubricant regularly
- Use Fluid Film Lubricant ($16.95) or Felco Lubricant Spray ($18.51)
- Sharpen tools at first sign of dullness
What to Look for in a Garden Tool Sharpener
Key Features:
- Comfortable grip
- Durable construction
- Multiple sharpening surfaces
- Proper angle guides
- Portable design
Safety Considerations:
- Non-slip handles
- Guard rails
- Stable base
- Clear instructions
- Protective gear recommendations
My Personal Recommendations
After years of testing different sharpeners here’s what I swear by
For Beginners:
AccuSharp 4-in-1 Knife & Tool Sharpener ($17.95)
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Affordable
For Regular Gardeners:
DMT Diamond Narrow Flat File Sharpener ($33.95)
- Professional quality
- Long-lasting
- Precise results
For Professionals:
Multi Sharp Complete Garden Tool Sharpening Kit ($42.95)
- Comprehensive
- Durable
- Handles all tool types
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using wrong angle when sharpening
- Forgetting to clean tools first
- Over-sharpening
- Ignoring safety gear
- Skipping maintenance between sharpenings
Care and Storage of Sharpening Tools
- Keep sharpeners clean and dry
- Store in protective case
- Check for wear regularly
- Replace worn components
- Keep away from moisture
Cost-Effective Solutions
We know garden tools can be expensive, so here’s how to save money:
- Start with basic sharpener kit
- Regular maintenance prevents costly replacements
- Share premium sharpening tools with gardening friends
- Look for multi-purpose sharpeners
- Invest in quality tools that last
When to Replace vs. Sharpen
Sometimes sharpening isn’t enough. Replace tools when you notice:
- Deep nicks or chips
- Severe rust
- Bent or warped blades
- Loose handles
- Cracked components
FAQ About Garden Tool Sharpening
How often should I sharpen my garden tools? A: It depends on how often you use them, but during the growing season, it’s usually every two to three months.
Q: Can I sharpen rusty tools? A: Yes, but first use a wire brush or sandpaper to get rid of the rust.
Q: What’s the best angle for sharpening pruners?
A: Usually 20-25 degrees, following original bevel.
Conclusion
Doing regular maintenance on your garden tools is important, but keeping them sharp is also important for making gardening more fun and useful. If you sharpen your tools the right way, they will last longer, cut better, and help you get more done in the garden.
Remember, sharp tools = happy plants = happy gardener! Don’t forget to check out our recommended sharpeners and start maintaining your tools properly today.
Note: Prices mentioned may vary by retailer and location. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when sharpening tools.
Diamond Impregnated Tapered Rods We Reviewed
Right out of the gate, I’ll tell you I’m a “tool for life” guy. I believe in spending the extra money on quality as I want it to last for a LONG time. Other might disagree.
For me, the clear winner in this category is the DMT DiaFold® Serrated Sharpeners. They offer three different grits (coarse, fine, and extra fine). If you want a highly polished, frighteningly sharp edge, then the three-rod package is for you. It will set you back though. Each grit size is in the $25 – $30 range. Part of the cost comes from the quality of the diamonds and substrate steel, and the other is that they are made in USA (which tends to be more expensive than overseas production).
I can attest to the longevity of the DMT sharpeners. I’ve had a set of DMT Dia-Sharp® Bench Stones, have used them regularly for 25 years, and they are still going strong.
And as a final note, they have the smallest tip diameter (for getting into those really small serration pockets) of any of the rod sharpeners I tested (except the Smith’s PP1 –Tactical, which I’ll address below).
Next comes the rods from AccuSharp and Smith’s. At first glance, they look the same, but the Smith’s is yellowish-orange and the AccuSharp is black on the inside of the tube. With the diamond tapered rods extended to their proper length, the AccuSharp is just a hair longer. The tip diameter is the same for both, and both are made in China. To the touch, the diamond grit appears to be the same (coarse). Based on Amazon pricing, the Smith’s would be about two dollars less expensive. They both had the same performance. I’d go for the Smith’s.
Smith’s PP1-Tactical Sharpener
Here was the wildcard of the bunch. The diamond rod is tapered, and it also has a carbide (coarse grit) sharpener, a ceramic (fine hone) sharpener, and a glass breaker for when you need it most. This is a 4-in-1 tool. It also has a handy pocket clip and a lanyard slot.
But let’s talk about the diamond rod. Of those tested, it had the smallest diameter tip by 0. 01”. But in practical terms, this is not a replacement for the above rods. The DMT, Smith’s, and AccuSharp tool tips listed above will fit most serrations AND have a maximum rod diameter that will sharpen most knives’ larger serration pockets. I found in my tests that the PP1’s largest rod diameter would not properly sharpen standard sized serrations.
However, used as an edge-sharpening rod, it worked great. The grit felt coarse, just like the coarse grits of the other tapered rod sharpeners.
I did try the carbide and ceramic sharpeners on anvil pruners (they have a knife edge) and it worked. But it doesn’t have the proper guards for this application. I slipped and got a little nick on my finger (nothing to write home about).
This is definitely a knife sharpener, with the tapered rod used mostly for sharpening knives and less for sharpening serration pockets. It’s a handy tool for the right application.
If you’re a landscaper or gardener who carries a straight bladed knife on you as part of your kit, then I would definitely consider this all-in-one sharpener. Cutting string, rope, burlap, landscaping fabric, roots, soil, etc. can mean you’ll need to sharpen a knife daily (or many times per day). This well-designed tool would be perfect for these applications. And at about $19.00, I think it’s a bargain.
- TACTICAL KNIFE SHARPENER: Smith’s “Pocket Pal” Tactical Knife Sharpener has a G-10 handle with a stainless steel frame, a Tungsten Carbide glass break, a pocket clip, and a diamond-coated blade that folds out.
- 2STAGE: The coarse carbide slot that you pull through gives dull or broken knives a quick edge. Fine ceramic stones give the edge a smooth, shiny look.
- DIAMOND ROD: This sharpener comes with a round, tapered, diamond-coated rod that can be folded out and used to sharpen serrations, standard edges, small gut hooks, and other shapes. It is great for fishing,.
- Smith’s Tactical Knife Sharpener is small and light, measuring 4″ long by 1″ wide. 5” wide & weighs 3. 5 ounces. The clip on the back makes it easy to take with you and put in your pocket. It features a lanyard hole so.
- RESULTS YOU CAN TRUST: The two stages of crossed carbide blades that are pre-set Smith’s compact versatile sharpener is perfect for fishing, hunting,.
Diamond Impregnated Double-Sided Sharpeners (Paddle Files)
These flat sharpeners, sometimes called “paddle sharpeners” or “paddle files”, have two usable sides. Depending on your preference, these can have extra fine, fine, medium or coarse grit (diamond particles bonded to the metal substrate). In this review, we looked at paddle sharpeners with a fine and a coarse grit side.
To sharpen a variety of garden, lawn and landscape tools
- Two different grits on each side (we looked at fine and coarse grit paddles), so it can be used for many things.
- Long-lasting diamond impregnated surfaces
- Best for removing medium amounts of metal, fixing edges, and deburring.
- Compact when files are folded or inserted into the handle
- When you use the fine grit, it leaves a nice, clean, sharp edge.
- Difficult to use on tight concave surfaces
- Not as rough as a whetstone, metal file, or carbide when it comes to removing metal.
- It won’t fit in as many places as a diamond-shaped rod will.
Sharpeners Included in this Review
We evaluated as many sharpeners as we could, being careful to try similar products within sharpener types and to compare products from multiple brands. We’ll continue to add more items to the sortable list below as we review more sharpening tools.
For details about these tools, click on the tool name or see the section below where each type of tool is described in detail.