Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.14
When the blade is shiny the whole length of
the blade's bevel it should be evenly sharp.
Figure 3.16
Make sure you remove the burr on the flat
side of the blade.
sharpness for longer. Hold your sharpener
like a potato peeler with a narrow edge
against the blade. Increase the angle of the
sharpener so that it is in contact with the very
rim of the cutting edge. Press down on the
full length of the cutting edge, applying
about 5 kilos of pressure, which is about
moderate strength (see Figure 3.15).
Turn the secateurs over and remove the
burr (or lumpy bit of metal) on the flat
side of the blade by running the sharpener at
an angle of 2° to 3° along the blade (see
Figure 3.16).
Figure 3.17
The final test for a perfect cutting blade.
Test your secateurs by slicing up a blade of
grass right along the length of the blade (see
Figure 3.17). If the blade fails to do this after
correct sharpening, the secateurs central bolt
may need to be tightened.
Howtocut
Technique
Now that your secateurs are sharp you are
ready to cut. Ideally the cut should be made
on an angle (to shed water) with the blade
next to the bud you are cutting towards
(see Figures 3.18 and 3.19).
Figure 3.15
Burnish your blade to harden the
cutting edge.
