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There are top-notch tools built to last, but they come with a hefty price tag. Then there are cheap knock-offs from China that you can snag for next to nothing. And, of course, there are those middle-of-the-road tools that get the job done just fine. But will those middle-of-the-road tools stay strong and serve you well for years to come?
They sure can, but not without a little care now and then. If you’re frugal, like we’re getting better at being, this might be a valuable read for you. We’re going to talk about how to get the most out of your tools. Let’s be honest—without them, we’d be facing some major setbacks. But there are some slightly time-consuming tasks we need to tackle to improve our chances.
So, let’s talk about cleaning and sharpening the steel, giving the handles some love, and how often this should be done.
How Often Should I Restore My Garden Tools?
You should be living la vida loca with your tools at least once a year. Whether your burst of energy kicks in at the start of the growing season or at the end, that’s the time to do it. Just make sure everything’s taken care of before the hard work of the growing season begins.
In a perfect world, this should happen twice a year—once at the start and once at the end of the busy season. Taking care of it after a long, busy season will give you a better chance to spot any damage your tools might have picked up along the way.
Garden tool handles don’t always get the attention and time that they need to prolong the life of the tool. Loved handles will last longer, feel better in the hands with less blisters, and will give you more satisfaction than you think. Let’s go over the proper steps.
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How To Restore Your Garden Tools
Step 1: Clean The Handles
This can be as simple as you let it. Simply get a scrub brush, wet the handle and use some dawn dish soap to remove any dirt and oil. Give it a rinse and leave it in the sun to dry.
Step 2: Smooth Out Your Handles
You can start with 100-150 grit sandpaper if your handles are in rough shape. If they are still looking good, I like to use 320 grit. If your handles still have that ridiculous varnish on it don’t bother trying to remove it with sandpaper. The sandpaper will quickly gum up and you will use much more than required.
Simply use a rasp, spoke shave, draw knife, or pocket knife (preferably a fixed blade knife) to remove the nonsense that gives out blisters like a snow cones trailer on a hot summer day. Work slowly and only remove the varnish, taking extra care not to remove the wood.
Step 3: Add A Lube To Your Handles
There are many different oils you can use, but I prefer boiled linseed oil or Ballistol. This stuff Tried and True Danish oil beats the standard products you find at most big box stores. Simply put some oil on a rag or directly on your hand and apply to the shaft of your tool. Allow the oil to penetrate for 5-10 minutes.
Then go back over it with a clean rag to remove all the excess. Let it sit overnight. Another good product to use is Ballistol. Yes, Ballistol is well known in the gun world, but it also works very well on unvarnished/unpainted wood. Now that you got your handles taken care of, there is one more equally important area to visit.
Step 4: Sharpen
The business end of your tools are crucial and can be tuned up a bit to work more efficiently in the garden. Get your shovel and other tools and start by removing all the dirt and gunk from the blade. First, you can hit it with a wire brush to loosen up some of the stubborn areas. Then simple spray it off with some water.
Now, let’s take a look at the shovel and other tools’ blade. We can quickly give it a good sharpen with a file. We aren’t striving for a blade that will shave the hair off your arms. We just want to put a little edge on it. Only filing the top/front side of the blade.
Then simply flip it over and check for any burs on the back side/bottom of the blade. If there are any, use your file and set your file flat against the surface, not at an angle, and quickly knock the burs off. If there is any surface rust, you can use some steel wool to remove it. Now wipe it down with a rag.
Step 5: Add Oil
Next, let’s put some oil on it. If you exposed metal from the sanding and sharpening you can hit it with a little spray paint to prevent the blade from rusting. Once again, Ballistol does an amazing job on metal as well. Whats not to love about this stuff. Spray down the blade with a little Ballistol and let it sit on the blade for a bit.
Letting the Ballistol sit for a bit on the wood and the metal gives it a chance to work it’s magic. Then just wipe off the excess and marvel at your diligent time with your well serving tools. When it comes to a rake, just clean it up. Sharpening will not be necessary.
Step 6: Tighten Screws & Bolts
Screws and bolts are present on certain tools, so grab an adjustable wrench and a screw driver and give everything a good tighten. If your blade is a bit loose and you cant loosen the nut, blast it with some Pb Blaster or a similar product.
Let it sit for a bit. Or you can hit the bolt with some heat. You may just need to replace the nuts and bolts depending on the shape they are in.
That’s it, in a nutshell, of how and why we need to take care of our tools. Work would be very hard without them. There are some things we like having and others that we need to have and depend on. Our tools are one of them. So, stop dragging your freshly sharpened shovel on the concrete and keep your tools out of the elements.
For more success easy garden tips watch our video on no dig garden beds
Until next time,
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