How and what to properly sharpen the handle of a shovel

Sharpening features

Surely someone asked the question: "why are the shovels sharply sharpened"? It should be noted here that the sharper the iron cutting part of the shovel, the easier it will be to use the tool as intended. Therefore, it is necessary to sharpen at regular intervals so that working in the garden or in the garden is more comfortable and convenient.

In addition, you need to know that tool sharpening has certain features. They lie in the physics of the process, which is determined by the quality of the material of the product. Shovels today are made from iron of various qualities. More expensive models are made of high-quality alloy steel, which keeps sharpness longer, but cheap products become blunt much more often. The physics of sharpening, as well as the chemical composition of the alloy used to produce the iron part of the shovel, also determine the sharpening method that is most effective in each case.

The quality and physics of sharpening is determined not only by the quality of the product and the experience of the person, but also by the chosen technique. Today, in order to give the shovel the desired sharpness, the following tools are used:

• file;
• grinder or angle grinder;
• sandpaper with a sander.

Let's consider each method in detail in terms of the features and physics of the grinding process.

File

Using a file is the most traditional and standard method. The advantages of using this tool include:

• the file is always at hand;
• it is small in size;
• affordable cost;
• ease of use;
• excellent sharpening quality.

As a result of using a file, it is possible to obtain an excellent working edge of the shovel. In addition, during the sharpening process, it is possible to constantly monitor the thickness of the metal layer that is removed. Thus, we get a uniform metal thickness in the lateral and frontal planes. At the same time, you can get the most optimal physics in the operation of a gardening tool.

Separately, it should be noted that during the use of the file, the metal does not heat up, as a result of which its physical and mechanical properties do not change. In a situation where other sharpening methods are used, these parameters cannot always be preserved unchanged, and as a result, the shovel can begin to blunt much more often.

File sharpening takes place according to the following scheme:

• fixing the blade. It must be firmly fixed and not move. Many people use a bench vise for fixing. But here, be careful with the fixing force, otherwise the stamped blade may be damaged;
• choose a file with a large notch;
• we process the front part of the edge with the tool.

As a result, you will carry out the first, rough processing of the shovel. Remember that this process should only be done from the face of the cutting end. With a file, move towards the handle from the edge of the blade.

After rough work with a file with a large notch, we arm ourselves with a file with a fine mesh and carry out a fine sharpening. At this stage, the blade thickness is adjusted to 0.5-0.6 mm. The angle of execution of the sharpening movements should be approximately 40-45 degrees. Maintaining this angle will allow you to avoid premature abrasion of the blade. Remember that the width of the cut must not be more than 5 mm. Make sure that the thickness of the blade is uniform along its entire length. Otherwise, thinner sections will become blunt faster, which will have a bad effect, so to speak, on the working potential of the shovel.

Video "Sharpening by folk methods"

Grinder

In today's world, many people prefer power tools. This allows you to automate and simplify many workflows, including sharpening blunt tools. The grinder has gained the greatest popularity in this matter.

The advantages of using a grinder include the following points:

• speed of the process;
• ease and ease of use of the grinder.

If you spend some time with the file to bring the shovel into working order, then with the grinder you will be able to handle it in just a couple of minutes. But here extreme caution and care should be taken to prevent the metal of the blade from heating up and changing its physical and chemical properties. As a result of heating, the metal softens, and this, in turn, can lead to dullness of the cutting edge, as well as to breakage of the main part of the tool.

In addition, allowing the metal to overheat will make the sharpening procedure more frequent. As a result, the edge will wear out much faster and you will need a new shovel for the next season.

But there are still more disadvantages to using a grinder than advantages. The negative aspects of its application include:

• high cost of the tool;
• complexity of control;
• the need for experience with a grinder;
• the possibility of overheating the metal of the edge;
• impossibility of precise control over the resulting edge thickness;
• the appearance of chips and burrs on the metal. And this is traumatic;
• the possibility of deterioration of the physical and chemical properties of the metal;
• difficulties in the further operation of the shovel in case of violation of the grinding process.

Thus, using a grinder, you must very carefully monitor the speed of the grinder. Here, too, the shovel should be well fixed. In this case, the edge processing is carried out from the bottom up. Moreover, sharpening of the rear part is needed only for shovels. Remember, you only need to lightly press the grinder on the edge.

Sandpaper

Another method for sharpening a bayonet is to use sandpaper along with an emery machine. This method allows you to obtain an optimal processing speed, as well as high quality and sharpness of the cutting part of the tool. Adjusting the speed of the machine will help you achieve the required thickness in the shortest possible time.

When using a machine and sandpaper to obtain a sharp edge, the main thing is to fix the shovel with high quality and firmly. A vise won't work here. In this situation, it is necessary to use a special stop. First, rough sharpening is carried out, and then finishing.

Whichever type of tool you choose to improve the sharpness of the shovel, always follow the safety precautions at work and the rules of operation. This is the only way to achieve a positive effect.

Video "Sharpening a bayonet shovel"

If your farming process has noticeably deteriorated, use the tips for sharpening cutting, which you will find in the video.