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General Information on Sharpening
Gardening Tools

  
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Typical Grinding Media Used

250+ micron abrasives

Preferred

  • Angle grinder with sandpaper flap disc, 60-80 grit
  • 10” machinist’s hand file, bastard double cut

Tormek

  • SB-250 Original Grindstone, graded course
  • DC-250 Diamond Wheel Course

Sorby ProEdge

  • 60 grit ProEdge Zirconium Belt

Benchtop High Speed Grinder

  • CBN wheel : <100 grit
  • Very friable grindstone : <100 grit (not recommended)

Shaping the Tool

Gardening tools are typically only reshaped once in their lifetime. And that happens when the gardener gets the tool from the manufacturer, and adjusts it to their own preferences.

Typical Grinding Media Used

40 - 250 micron abrasives

Preferred

  • 8” machinist’s hand file, second cut
  • 8” machinist’s hand file, smooth, single cut

Tormek

  • SB-250 Black Grindstone, graded fine
  • DF-250 Diamond Wheel Fine

Sorby ProEdge

  • 120 grit ProEdge Zirconium Belt
  • Pedia ProEdge Diamond Belt
  • 600 grit ProEdge Trizact Belt

Benchtop High Speed Grinder

  • CBN wheel : 150-180 grit
  • Very friable grindstone : 150 - 180 grit (not recommended)

Sharpening the Tool

Gardening tools should be resharpened at the start of the day, and as needed. Roots, gravel, stones, and teenage sons can certainly shorten the time before the tool needs to be resharpened.