If garden shears have not been sharpened for a long time, does it
require specialized sharpening tools by a professional to bring the
blade back into shape.

I bought and used a hand file until my hand has become bloody but the
blade is as dull as when I began. Thank You, Mary

Mary Lou wrote:
If garden shears have not been sharpened for a long time, does it
require specialized sharpening tools by a professional to bring the
blade back into shape.

I bought and used a hand file until my hand has become bloody but the
blade is as dull as when I began. Thank You, Mary

Scissor type or anvil type? With scissor type, more than the edge
matters- the pivot point and any bending to the blade, can make a big
difference. If blades are bent or joint gets sloppy, the cutting edges
won't pass over each other correctly, and it gets very frustrating to use.

I'd call local sharpening shop and ask how much they charge. Garden
shears aren't that expensive, and replacement may be cheaper. Or if you
buy the same style, comparing the new ones to what you have may give you
the needed understanding to make the old ones work.

aem sends...

On Mar 11, 6:34 pm, Windswept@Home (Mary Lou) wrote:
If garden shears have not been sharpened for a long time, does it
require specialized sharpening tools by a professional to bring the
blade back into shape.

I bought and used a hand file until my hand has become bloody but the
blade is as dull as when I began. Thank You, Mary

If your shears are by-pass (scissor) type, all you need to do to
sharpen them is disassemble them & burnish or polish them on sandpaper
backed up by a very flat surface.

The leading edge of the "sharp" jaw can be filed to knife edge.

If they are hand shears they are easier to deal with than loppers.

cheers
Bob

"Mary Lou" Windswept@Home wrote in message
...
If garden shears have not been sharpened for a long time, does it
require specialized sharpening tools by a professional to bring the
blade back into shape.

I bought and used a hand file until my hand has become bloody but the
blade is as dull as when I began. Thank You, Mary

How do you get you hand bloody by using a hand file? Did you hold the shears
on a bench vice?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufx0-DHaamQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgD2O6yj7yM

You should be able to do the same with a hand file, just much slower
process.

Unless you know what you are doing, trying to sharpen shears or scissors
can actually ruin them. My wife got industrious once and tried to
sharpen some scissors; she ended up with both sides of the blade
beveled, sort of, and they never cut again.

A file is not the best tool for this, but a decent job can be done with
a file. An adjustable wrench is also handy for disassembling and
tightening, and a hammer can often straighten out a bent blade, but I
prefer to get a new set rather than trying to straighten a bent blade.
If you have someone who knows how to sharpen them, ask for help and
instructions. If not, many fabric stores have a sharpener who comes
around perhaps monthly; find one and watch what he does. Let him think
he is dazzling you and you should be able to steal his secrets.

Mary Lou wrote:
If garden shears have not been sharpened for a long time, does it
require specialized sharpening tools by a professional to bring the
blade back into shape.

I bought and used a hand file until my hand has become bloody but the
blade is as dull as when I began. Thank You, Mary