Some Useful Tips from Our Friends at Bahco
Sharp pruning shears make the job easier. A clean, sharp blade requires less effort, produces a cleaner cut and helps keep your crew moving during pruning season.
Fortunately, keeping a good edge on your pruners doesn't take much time. With a quality sharpener and a few minutes of maintenance, you can keep your pruning tools ready for the next job.
How to Sharpen Your Pruning Shears
1. Clean the blade
Before sharpening, wipe away sap, dirt and other debris with a clean rag. You want the sharpening surface to make direct contact with clean steel.
2. Secure the pruner
Open the pruning shears completely and hold the tool firmly so the cutting blade is stable and easy to access. Always keep your fingers safely away from the cutting edge.
3. Follow the existing bevel
Place the sharpening edge against the beveled side of the cutting blade. Follow the blade's existing factory angle rather than trying to create a new one.
4. Sharpen from heel to tip
Starting near the base of the blade, move the sharpener smoothly toward and off the tip using light, controlled pressure.
Make about five one-directional strokes. Avoid sawing the sharpener back and forth across the blade.
5. Remove the burr
Sharpening may leave a small burr along the flat backside of the blade. Turn the pruner or sharpener over and make one or two very light, nearly flat passes along the backside to remove it.
6. Check your work
Test the pruner on paper or a soft twig. The blade should make a clean, easy cut without requiring excessive pressure.
7. Clean and protect
Wipe the blade clean when you're finished. If needed, apply a light coating of oil before putting the tool away.
A Few Minutes of Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Pruning tools work hard. Regular cleaning and sharpening can help maintain cutting performance and extend the useful life of your equipment.
Harvest Source supplies Bahco pruning tools, replacement parts and sharpening products for professional growers throughout the West Coast.
Need pruning tools or replacement blades for your crew?
Contact Harvest Source for pricing and availability.
Learn more about the great product from Bahco at https://www.bahco.com/us_en/