How to Sharpen & Use a GRASS WHIP (+ Bonus Use)

The best way to sharpen a Grass Whip is to simply use it! It will naturally remove rust and keep the blade sharp, but if you need to sharpen it by hand here are some tips...
With a good pair of gloves, and the tool wedged in between your legs for support, follow the angle of the blades edge with your file (or sandpaper) to remove rust and keep the blade sharp. Wear closed-toed shoes and make sure your work area is clear for safety.
Music: Bill Higley by Mini Vandals
Catch Up by Dan Lebowitz

[@76biggdogg]

Love my grass whip . No gas, no noise, no smell and I get exercise . Great video

[@arganiaspinosa9122]

I just ordered one on Amazon. Excited to try it. My backyard looks like a jungle, hubby told me that we did not need a gardener this summer because he would take care of the yard. Cut to 3.5 weeks since the yard has been mowed and things are looking out of control back there. I have not said anything though. I am looking at this as an opportunity. Since I am trying to lose some weight right now, I know this will be a great way to burn some calories. Plus I also have coming from Amazon a manual mower. We own an electrical one, but with the wires and everything seems like it would be a hassle for me to use. I think old-school is the way to go. Oh and I too, love the no noise part.

[@WilliamWebber-wn3zu]

Great video brother 👍

[@blueh9]

Thank you. I loved mine. It got extremely dull and I didn't know how to sharpen it. No one at Lowe's, Home Depot or my Family Farm and Home store knew what this was. I was like, wow. I'm showing my age. Lol. It's great when you don't have a weed whacker or if yours is broken like mine was. I always called it a sickle. Thanks again.

[@clarinetpete9661]

This video is delivered extremely well. I was never bored as the info kept generating interest on what could be a somewhat boring subject. Very inspiring!.

[@StupidMuffinCow]

I loved the video primarily based on the whips targeted use, but using the whip to clear gutters! Brilliant! Thank you so much

[@threeriversforge1997]

Gotta admit, I've never had much success with Whips, but seeing you clean that gutter was definitely new and something I'll remember. If I might add one suggestion, it would be to take up the Scythe. Folks think they're antiquated and tough to use, but they're available brand new and sized just for your build. They do everything the Grass Whip does, and more. Cutting an entire lawn with the Scythe is quick and easy. For trail clearing, using a short blade, what's often referred to as a Ditch Blade, is easy and fun. Contrary to popular opinion, a scythe is actually twice as fast as a weed whacker and equally as fast as a push lawn mower. No noise, pollution, gas/oil/belts/hoses...... Absolutely fantastic tool for the homestead! There are a lot of videos on KZbin showing them in use so you can see how modern day folks are able to use them and sharpen them. A real shame we ever got away from the things.

[@GiveitaGrow]

Scythes are ok, but they can be a bit unwieldy and scary to some.

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@GiveitaGrow True, but most folks are trying to use Gramp's scythe they have in the barn, or something they bought at the flea market, never realizing that the tool has to be sized to their body. A modern scythe in the Austrian pattern, is light and nimble. It's another example of how we lost the knowledge and are the poorer for it.

[@lincashin1187]

I am going out to buy one tomorrow. You do a great job of showing us how to use this grass whip. I love being outside and I find using the noisy mowers and trimmers just takes away my peace. I have a rotary lawn mower and haven't had to sharpen it for all the years I owned it. Thanks so much for this wonderful video

[@rosabice5862]

I've had my grass whip for years. Thank you for answering how to sharpen it. I will just keep using it. It's very handy on tall weeds.

[@LordEvan5]

I found mine in a falling down garage I was clearing the one you have with the long handle is pretty boss

[@GiveitaGrow]

Yeah, that one is my favorite.

[@TechOutAdam]

It's like working on your golf swing.

[@KathyLoveless]

Wow. Naturally paced, no hype or "look at me I'm funny and cute" like so very many videos for diy. Loved it. I'd just tried using the whip that came with the house I bought. Where the dog "waters" the lawn the grass is robust and a lovely deeper green but boy is it tough! Gives you an idea of why people for millennia have used grasses for various uses, roofing, bedding, weaving things... Thanks, I'll have to get a cone file as recommended in an article, I think it'd be easier for me to sharpen it with it. :)

[@ronboone8966]

I've been trying to figure out how to clear a drain field and found a rusted serrated whip in the shed. Thanks! (Ron's daughter.)

[@GiveitaGrow]

Nice!

[@zeez9053]

What a great little video very informative 👍🇬🇧

[@GiveitaGrow]

Thanks!

[@Nyambui]

I learned something! I've never seen one of those!

[@GiveitaGrow]

One of my favorite tools!

[@Nyambui]

@@GiveitaGrow I'm gardening right now! (We have watering days) I hope one day I'll post some videos of the garden because it's "wild," and by seed harvest if you want anything, I'm more than willing to share.

[@judyparker8459]

This is terrific - thanks for the quick response on my question! I found my swing 'blade' (literally) hidden behind everything else and turns out it isn't serrated but straight across, like a knife/blade. So it was easy to file to get a sharper edge and remove the considerable rust/pits, and I gave it a go. I'm glad you mentioned the grass issue here because that was the toughest to cut down but I found it helpful to start whacking at the tips and work down to the length I wanted. It was less hard on the hands that way also, which do get a new kind of workout! Maybe I need to take up golfing?? :D I think it's also the wooden handle though that's troublesome because it isn't round, it's flat on two sides with rounded edges, so not easy to grip. ?? Perhaps someone made this one long ago, it looks somewhat bespoke. So next trip to the store, I'm definitely going to look for the serrated version. Thanks again!!

[@GiveitaGrow]

Interesting. I'm glad you managed to sharpen your tool! Thanks for the comment, they often give me new ideas for videos :)

[@lindamorgan2678]

Cool Idea with the eavestrough I am going to try it tomorrow ! Thanks

[@GiveitaGrow]

Its pretty handy.

[@sagewilson1056]

That tip will be perfect for my gutters. Thanks!

[@GiveitaGrow]

Awesome!

[@makola1970]

Great video - thank you

[@GiveitaGrow]

Thanks for watching! I hope you picked up some tips :)

[@3angels.Rev.14]

Fantastic

[@IraGer]

Inspired me to get a new one. I had one for lesser celandine but bent it badly. It really isn't good for that. I like how you demonstrate how if you go slow you leave the grass and get the other stuff. I'm thinking it should work well for multiflora rose and I happen to have a Trails Maintaining Training course this weekend.

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

No idea how intentional it was, but that grass whip sound in your intro fit perfectly with the music to sound like a rattle snake.

[@theresaharrison8458]

I actually found one for a little over 23$ on Amazon and the handle is screwed together in 3 pieces. Thank you for sharing all the uses for this tool😊

[@volunteernwowoodchipperope6588]

Unique channel thank you for covering the weed cutter (grass whip) I thought I may be using it wrong, or maybe there was a height discrepancy and so maybe i got a wrong size. My back convinced me of this falsehood but, no it is that rigorous and harsh to swing. Ugh nothing comes easy does it. Gutter cleaning is the best idea ever ha

[@Ianjcarroll]

Wow, retro gardening... If you have the time why not :)

[@GiveitaGrow]

I love hand tools, they are so quiet, and great exercise!

[@ligmuhnugs]

I bought one of these at a yard sale. I found this video by looking up manual weed eater. The blade on mine is removable and is mounting upside down compared to yours. It still works though

[@TerrierToughGuy]

Love the video. I hope you get money from the commercials KZbin runs. Some are as long as the videos and quite aggravating. Still if I knew you were getting a cut it would be great. Watched a 2:44 commercial then a 1:02 commercial to watch your fine video. Wow

[@GiveitaGrow]

Thank you! I do get revenue from the advertisements, but you should be able to skip the longer ones after a few seconds.

[@lrla8657]

I have been using mine for years and it takes so much effort. It definitely needs to be sharpened because using it, is NOT making it sharp!

[@contentinternational]

Awesome video, very helpful for a novice. I'm wondering what tool you might recommend for keeping growth under control along fencelines or other structures. I'd really like to ditch the weedwhacker.

[@GiveitaGrow]

Goats? ... lol, I dont know really.

[@john_r_legit689]

I just bought a grass whip. I'm using it to clear out a bike trail but the grass and weeds are waist high.

[@rickkrockstar]

Use a Dremel tool to sharpen..

[@JungleYT]

*Well, shoot... Was looking for cheaper alternative to a scythe, which seemed a bit too pricey? Thanks!*

[@GiveitaGrow]

You found it!

[@openmindedopenheartedpurpl3568]

Awesome video as always. How is your wildflower garden? Have you ever used the Flower Rocket seed packs? You can find them in Dollar stores usually

[@GiveitaGrow]

Thanks! I do use dollar store seeds, they are such a great deal for all the color you get in the garden :)

[@gardeningrelaxation]

where to buy one of this? Tired of paying to repair my law mower.

[@NajaOrangeBird]

Can you use the grass whip on dried weeds?

[@GiveitaGrow]

Absolutely.

[@desmondehoppie4758]

Great

[@GiveitaGrow]

Thanks!

[@earthangel2524]

What is a good brand of grass whip?

[@GiveitaGrow]

I don't know, mine have all come from garage sales.

[@rmivy1984]

Exactly the breakdown I needed, thank you so much!

[@faceman2556]

Mhmmm I reckon I’ll have to get me one of dem mhmmm

[@Arzon527]

1:50 that's what she said.

[@GiveitaGrow]

Good one

[@networkinc.6825]

In the south,,, they're called a yo yo

[@j4k3z]

Why

[@joebobjenkins7837]

Is there a reason whips are all made for people under 5'4" im short and feel like Im still bending over to use it.

[@GiveitaGrow]

Its an old fashion tool, and people were shorter in the past.

[@kareno8634]

0:28, 0:31.... 0:42, *8{\* could my blade be *Upside Down?!* Oh My, what gives, i've had this for Years, used often enough, tho never removed blade. 'Logic': seeing Center Raised line at *Bottom,* [mine On top] would help keep blade points off ground? [maybe, angle won't?] re: Shiny - hitting ground, etc. : } Looks as if Sharpened just as if hand saw. \ 3:36 If 'actually' sharpening by using, WHY is there need to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades? *8{|* lol We call 'Weed Wack', highly technical name, Blade mounted on Both ends; I see others named 'Sling Blade', 'Swing Blade'; Yours *"Grass Whip",* sounds perfect, tho attached differently. *Thanks!*

[@markpennella]

Camera too far away from blade to see u sharpen.

[@GiveitaGrow]

Im just removing rust and following the angle of the blade, these dont need to be very sharp to cut the weeds.

[@happybaals]

It doesn't get shaper with use, he's smoking crack. The tip of the blade becomes blunted.