Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Sharpening
The most frequently performed task is of
course sharpening your secateurs. Sharp
secateurs reduce the effort of pruning and
produce a cleaner cut.
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1
Tools
Investing in a sharpener that is designed
for secateurs makes the job easy
(see Figure 3.10).
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Files with embedded industrial diamonds are
the most effective, as diamonds, being the
hardest stones, will therefore work quickly,
last longer and produce fine filings (see
Figure 3.11). The Istor blade at the other end
of this tool works like a carpenter's plane. It
swiftly sharpens the blade, but also wears it
down quickly. Use it to rapidly reshape the
bevel edge of a worn and blunt blade. Blades
with indentations or notches should be
replaced; they have had their life of use and
abuse and are not worth continuing with.
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Figure 3.8
A selection of basic secateurs. Right-handed
by-pass secateurs (1). Left-handed by-pass secateurs (2).
By-pass secateurs with revolving handles (3). Anvil
secateurs (4). Flower snips (5).
Maintenanceandsharpening
Secateurs/pruners are the most essential of
pruning tools and therefore buying good
quality tools that can be cleaned, sharpened
and have parts replaced is the best
investment a pruner can make. Buy the best
secateurs you can find and they will most
likely be in use for future generations,
making them the most economical in the
long term. Good quality tools deserve good
maintenance. Once you have invested in a
good quality pair of secateurs it is important
to keep them sharp, clean and well-oiled
(see Figure 3.9).
Technique
First, grasp the secateurs as shown in Figure
3.12 so that they are comfortably secure.
The
perfect angle to sharpen the blade is 23°. This
sounds pedantic and almost impossible, but is
in fact easy (see Figure 3.13).
Sharpen the entire length of the blade even if
only part of it is blunt. Using a circular
motion, apply enough pressure to feel some
resistance, until the blade is shiny the whole
length of the blade's bevel (see Figure 3.14).
You can now burnish the blade to harden its
cutting edge by compression. Burnishing your
newly sharpened edge will preserve its
It is necessary to take your secateurs apart to
clean and maintain them properly.
