Cleaning and sharpening in twenty minutes
At the end of the season, brush off soil, wash blades with warm soapy water and dry them well. Rust is the enemy of every tool in the shed.
Use a fine diamond file along the original bevel, a few light strokes only. Finish with a drop of light oil and wipe off the excess. Store tools hanging, blades closed, away from damp walls.
A simple yearly routine
- Autumn: clean, sharpen, oil.
- Winter: check handles for cracks.
- Spring: test every tool before the first big job.