Caring For Your Garden Tools

Most of the sharp tools we supply are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Here's how to clean and sharpen your secateurs (and some other gardening tools), and caring for them involves these three things…


1. Correct Use:

Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused.

Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges).

Do not twist or apply uneven pressure.

Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres
Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers).

Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts.


2. Keeping Them Clean:

Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Crean Mate and water
Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place.


3. Keeping Them Sharp:

New tools won’t need sharpening for some time, but after a while you’ll notice them gradually lose their edge, especially if you’re box clipping (you need REALLY sharp blades to get a good finish with box). Use the Niwaki Sharpening Stones for best results (#1000 grit is best for general sharpening).

Sharpen Secateurs every couple of weeks.

Sharpen Shears and Topiary Clippers EVERY TIME you use them - the difference is amazing.


See our Garden Tool Care Collection here.