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!
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[@apiarygirl]

This retired teacher admires the quality of your presentation. Top notch info presented exceptionally clearly . Thanks!!

[@marciakneller4006]

What a relief to discover that I can sharpen my garden tools myself! I am a 73 year old widow whose late husband always took care of my gardening tools. Hired help left the tools dirty and outside. I searched for a sharpening service but can not find one in the area . With this tutorial I now feel confident that I can keep my tools in good working condition. Thank you so much. Susan Kneller

[@sgl102551]

Thank you this is great. Made me feel confident that I can do this, I am a 67 year old lady with dull garden tools!

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped, Susan!

[@rtshaw3621]

Ditto@ 63

[@debracole3699]

Me, too. 67 year old Grandma with dull garden tools. No more!

[@daffodilrose1950]

Happy that I found this …..great information ..guess what I am doing today? Thanks for sharing…

[@louisejohnson3851]

Very informative and perfect for a beginner. Can't wait to sharpen my garden tools.

[@marymascorro8791]

As a beginning sharpener, I appreciate your clear and concise demonstrations. Thank you.

[@kacey_donner]

I come back to this video because it is the best tool sharpening video available and I trust the information.

[@melissab3412]

Fantastic tutorial and easy to understand. I had no idea how to maintain my old gardening tools. Now I know exactly what to do. Thank you!

[@jodyjacob3335]

Comprehensive instruction, excellent instructor. Thank for this excellent video.

[@bluesmaggot]

Thank you for this perfectly straightforward video. I very much appreciate being able to sharpen my own tools!

[@georgeflitzer7160]

Ty I appreciated this lesson very much

[@carolyngarris3141]

I have watches so many tutorials today I'm well versed on care of tools, BUT your tutorial was the most informative and easy to follow. you used common sense to explain thing you chose to teach. Thank you very much.

[@hannahjoy7206]

This has been so helpful!! It is clear, simple and well demonstrated. Thank you!

[@helenjones2351]

Thankyou so much. I found your demonstration excellent. Can't wait to get sharpening.

[@lesleykirkham3480]

Excellent informative video. I have never sharpened a garden tools before in my life but needed to sharpen my garden hoe. Learnt a lot. Thank you

[@kacey_donner]

Thank you. =) I am grateful for the table of contents, website with tools recommendations, and the clear explanations with alternate scenarios!

[@danielhu7809]

Really clear instructions and clear voice. Thanks!

[@anngelinakoenig-fales4153]

Best tutorial I've found, Thank you!

[@Kischme71]

Brilliant video! Clear, easy to understand, you didn't leave anything out or ramble on. I learned a lot both about files and sharpening my garden tools. I plan to share with my friends. Thanks

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Thanks very much Shelli. Glad it helped. -Matt

[@lorischiller1833]

Thank you so much for making this easy to understand for a beginner gardener. I have old tools that need to be brought back to life.

[@davemacfadyen3174]

I've been sharpening knives and scissors for years, but have recently received requests to sharpen some other tools; I found this tutorial very useful; thank you! Take care & God Bless, Dave

[@agb0012000]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have been wondering for a long time how to do this.

[@larrycroft470]

Thank you so very much! Best tool sharpening video I have ever seen. Now I am ready to clean and sharpen all of my garden tools.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Hi Larry, thanks for the feedback. Glad it helped! -Matt

[@Domine31064]

Excellent, paced well, and inclusive to the topic. Thanks!

[@jammark1]

Thank you for the clear and easy to understand instruction!

[@dawnb7457]

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

[@jeaniemarino7935]

Just the instruction I was looking for and more! Thanks for taking the time to explain the whole process and the reasoning behind it. Makes perfect sense! Can't wait to get started on my garden tools!

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped, Jeanie. Happy sharpening! -Matt

[@paulet990]

Very thorough! Thanks!

[@mikeplake4775]

Super helpful. Detail enough..... not too much and not too little. I too saved this video to my favorites so that I can refer back to it. Thank you for taking the time. Now I’ll know which file to buy as well.

[@bambibarnett6052]

Very informative video. Being a single lady, I didn’t know how to sharpen my garden tools & they’re quite dull. I enjoyed your video. Thank you!

[@dianeparvin2887]

Thank you. Very clear method. As a 78 year old lady I now need to learn such things. Could you show how to sharpen smaller gardening tools please especially a small fork also explain the fineness of the file used.

[@peterjeffery9368]

Great presentation, clear and methodically delivered, well done!

[@christinebrass6570]

Thank you! This was just the video I was looking for.

[@karolefowlershaw5876]

I am new to sharpening tools n watched 2 other videos before this one. I will be referring back to this guy for future guidance, FIRST. Great user friendly 'how to' instructions. THANKS KdFowlerShaw

[@julielafleche1228]

Best one I've seen. Thank you .

[@catherinepatrick4333]

Thank you for explaining how to sharpen tools in a very clear manner.

[@135Voice]

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

[@seamanjive]

Great vid and super clear info...just what I needed. Thx for sharing

[@ceaberrys]

Love the breakdown in the table of contents to times in the video! Great instructions.

[@andreasphilokyprou6130]

Andreas, Cyprus Very helpul, simpfuĺ, excellent. THANK YOU

[@brianolmsted133]

Thanks, good video, learned some new things.

[@majedabuakkawi]

Very useful information, great video!

[@judysamples1026]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@TheCoolVivie]

Thank you!!! you explain it so well!! Your voice is calm, details of the tools, and even the drawing.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

You're welcome! Glad it helped.

[@ASophieGarden]

Thank you for taking the time to share this 🙏💛!

[@greenthumbherbs8508]

So happy for the explanation. I can't wait to try it out.

[@deebee5677]

Very helpful!

[@ozgurelbasaran4338]

Really helpful and professional. Thank you.

[@anonymousperson2686]

Well done. Clear, and helpful!

[@susankornfeld7588]

Helpful tips and info -- thank you!

[@kater4052]

Excellent, detailed vid. Thank you.

[@annwelles3019]

Just what I wanted to know. Thanks!

[@tracyliles9190]

Great video. Very informative and easy to follow.

[@crissycrutchfield331]

Thank you. This has been the most informative video I’ve watched on the subject.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped

[@reneesoileau3368]

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

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped

[@marklemoine7368]

Great video ! Thank you so much for the advice.

[@renamp2502]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@deborahklem439]

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.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped.

[@nancycrisman7496]

Thank you

[@DuaneLange]

Thanks! Good job!

[@cynthiakling3713]

Really helpful!

[@stephenrothman6058]

Helpful, thanks

[@IfButOnly]

Thanks Matt, great video. Cheers ... Peter

[@annjensen575]

I was trying to sharpen my gardening sheers still don't have the hang of it you were very helpful though.

[@IamKittySweets]

very good simple instructions. you are well spoken ..good pace .. you don't say umm err uhh soo ..

[@merriemerrie7378]

Excellent video - clear, well paced and efficient, with just the right amount of detail - not too much, not too little. I am curious about sharpening of stainless steel garden tools and how that would differ.

[@LydieBaillie]

Thanks for the great information

[@Brush_Cutter_Man]

Thanks for your tutorial... 🙏

[@4865747440]

Thanks for the info. I learned a lot.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped!

[@vivianwood8332]

great video. thanks

[@tpmbe]

excellent info and video..many thanks

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped

[@mouayadabbas4420]

Thank you very much, excellent explanation

[@Thetoolmerchants]

you're welcome, glad it helped

[@altregembo3697]

i LIKED IT - EXPLAIN THINGS i DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BEFORE - THANKS AGAIN

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it was helpful, Al. -Matt

[@judybarnwell5594]

Al Tregembo exclellent tutortoial,as I was just getting ready to clean and sharpen to put to bed for the winter thanks

[@user-nq8ol8xt7w]

Thanks heaps..🎉

[@louannbruce6252]

I need a tutorial on sharpening secateurs and garden snips or scissors.

[@rawbacon]

There's plenty on KZbin. Once you learn how to do it, it only takes a minute to sharpen.

[@Liloldliz]

thanks mate this really helped a lot

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped

[@pjhanna1432]

Thank you for the great video. You did a great job explaining all aspects of sharpening tools with a file. I would have liked to have seen a close up of the files to see how they differed. Maybe you could consider editing that in? But anyway, very well done, thank you very much!

[@Thetoolmerchants]

You're welcome and thank you kindly for the feedback. I will see if I can splice in some footage of the file differences:). -Matt

[@user-po6nf2ne1u]

Good information

[@carole6884]

Good informative video, thanks

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it helped

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Thanks❣️

[@paulmouradian8968]

Good job

[@wc8689]

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!

[@MichaelWinesburg]

Thankyou

[@JS-iz5ux]

Great video, thanks for the thoroughness ... We gals also listen to you videos. Hey folks, not hey guys ... If you're not sure what I mean, next time you reference your audience, address them as hey gals ...

[@kristinasanders5841]

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.

[@ginagibson8600]

Thank you making this informative video. I wanted to learn how to sharpen my gardening tools without having to wait for my husband to get around to doing it. Lol So thanks to you I can do this task myself! 😊 Questions though, what strength of white vinegar do you use for cleaning? Just regular cooking vinegar? And you had mentioned using oil. What kind of oil do you use? Thank you

[@nikkicrosby4879]

Who the heck gave thumbs down? This was great! Thanks!

[@nancylaw2213]

This was great. How about smaller items like hand pruners or shears?

[@jamescarroll6954]

All this time, I thought a "bastard file" was something my high school principal kept. In which I had a prominent place.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

[big smile] glad I could disabuse you of that notion. If such a file does exist, my name was there as well.

[@agb0012000]

Heh, heh, I thought that file was for was only kept on my ex.

[@johnmurray5732]

LOL

[@johnclarke6647]

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.

[@tracysymonds]

Hi there, just seen your video..very impressed! I am a novice and need to get started with sharpening tools. What do you think of whetstones? I have done some research on their uses, seem similar to what you use. Is it basically a matter of opinion on what's best or just another choice of sharpening tool? I look forward to your response. Good wishes. From a women who enjoys gardening and caring for her tools.

[@ricdonato4328]

Thank you for this video. When sharpening a shovel there seems to be two schools of thought: 1. Sharpen from the back side, 2. Sharpen from the front side, thus does it matter? Also, nice jacket, is it one of those oilskin type jackets from Outbacktrading Co.?

[@ASophieGarden]

I had the same question on the jacket, it looks like an OverUnder waxed briar though.

[@sabareerangaraj5347]

good SOP

[@neonbomber2323tekno]

Can y drop a link of the rust remove stone please. thanky you

[@sharmanrice4157]

Thank you for the video. I have a file that was my dad's and I always wondered what it was for! Ha! Is there a way to determine whether it is a bastard, second or smooth? It's still in good condition (I think). Also, I can't seem to find the rust eraser you were using. Do you have the exact name or a link? I am finding regular woodworking sanding pads that are more of a sponge with sandpaper around it. I am also finding rust removing whetstones. But nothing that are like a soft eraser embedded with particles. Thanks!

[@Ozmulki]

What about small secatuers? Have you a video on sharpening them?

[@kacey_donner]

Matt: I have read online that you can also clean tools with baking soda. What is your opinion on using baking soda with water or baking soda with vinegar? Should I only use vinegar (as I do not have the wire brush tool).

[@eflat1206]

Hey Matt: Terrific video. I've bookmarked it. Looking forward to getting started. One thing...in the other clips, a number of people suggested using vegetable oil in the beginning cleaning process and at the very end for maintenance. Didn't see it in yours. What do you think? Thanks again...Gerry, Madison, CT.

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Glad it was helpful, Gerry. I see no reason to use any oil before sharpening, it will only gum up your file when you begin sharpening, and I don't think it would help with cleaning. A little oil at the end to prevent rust would be good, though. (especially at the end of the gardening season) Take care!

[@eflat1206]

Thanks, Matt. Duly noted...I will follow the advice. ...gp

[@augustsamplesglittercrotch4194]

Thank you I wonder who came up with the name bastard Crazy right?? Thanks again

[@Thetoolmerchants]

haha, funny name for sure

[@thnkr0917]

You said oil your tool lightly. What kind of oil do I buy to oil the tools?

[@gerirodrigues5154]

after the bastard file, you used a second file? what mill was that? thanks G

[@Thetoolmerchants]

Geri, the main file I'm using is a second cut file. It's a bit smoother than a bastard file, but still removes metal fairly quickly. The blue handled file is a double cut file, which cuts very quickly and leaves a rough edge that you'd want to follow with a bastard or second cut file. You can get away with only using either a bastard or second cut file, I just prefer the second cut.

[@crism3lo]

I wish he was my neighbor. I just wanna pay somebody to do this.