Hi there. I would love opinions on sharpening tools for my pruners. I’m looking at the diamond stone by felco
but was also wondering is a sharpening tool is just as good, like perhaps this one?
thanks!
I have the Corona 8300 and it does not work well for me.
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the tapered DMT diamond files do a good job getting into tight spaces like youll encounter trying to sharpen a set of secateurs without disassembling them:
I worked for a timber company many years ago… we used hatchets and brush blade type tools daily thru the late spring - early fall months.
Sharpened those daily multiple times.
Nothing special required… just a common flat metal file. I can make either of those shaving sharp with a flat metal file.
That is what i use to sharpen my loppers, hoes, pruners, etc.
Available at any hardware store in various sizes… and pretty cheap.
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inexpensive. Unless they have to be frequently replaced.
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I like using a traditional wet stone. I do have to take them apart. It would be nice not to with other tools. But sharpening at 1000 grade then at 3000 grade then honing blade makes for razor sharp edges. I’m hooked on this method. I don’t have a honing tool but use a piece of lumber. Like the old leather barber straps for straightedge razors the wood, honing bar, or leather straighten the blade which is a must for a clean cut. Wood works well and also polishes and removes burrs and defects. Use it like a barber strap. Run the blade at a proper angle like when sharpening. Up and down the wood. Skipping this stage is a mistake. You can’t tell how sharp your edge is if the edge is bent, has burrs, or bumps. It makes a day or night difference in how well it cuts.
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Sharpening stones from Superior Fruit company are pretty good and inexpensive too. Less than $3.
I buy several at a time so I always have one around. Oil or water helps hone to razor sharp with these cheap stones.
I also use their Hickock 42 inch lopper.
We also use a traditional wet stone where it will reach to help get a razor sharp edge on hand pruners or loppers. Sees like a really sharp blade makes pruning a lot less work. Working with sharp hand tools makes pruning fun, at least for a while.
We replace the blade on the Hickock loppers every 2 or 3 years to make sure we have the sharpest edge possible. Lopper blade replacement kit is about $30.
ive gotten great results from the corona. just got to hold your pruners so you can keep the angle true. i even touch up my grafting knife with it. not something i correct a edge with. just touch it up out in the yard. it stays in my grafting tool pouch.
Go big or go home. I use a belt type sharpener. I have so many blades to maintain that hand sharpeners and files no longer make sense. Depending on blade condition, I might start on a grinding stone to rough out a new edge, then use the belt sharpener with a coarse belt to refine the edge, then move to a very fine belt to set a razor sharp edge. Once a blade has been properly shaped and sharpened, maintenance is usually just a touchup with a very fine belt.
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I use an ARS stone with a little honing oil. The shape of the stone matches the radius of most pruners.
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