Are you sharp enough?

“A while ago, bacpac recommended a gerber saw at the Knife Professionals website. I want to get that (maybe would be used more in yardwork than on hikes, but handy to have). But I was also looking at sharpeners. I can't sharpen my shovels, other tools, and hatchet, so I'm looking for something. Does anyone have a recommendation?”

“For shovels and [garden] tools, don't you need a grinder?”

“yeah. A Stanley "shorty" saw. Relatively light & cheap.”

“For your shovels, axes, hatchets, etc., use a file. The file you want is called a 'flat !$%&'. This is not a joke. You want to get something to put over the handle to keep from running your hand into the blade of wahtever you are sharpening. I use a heavy piece of leather.

I swear, this works great!”

“What is a grinder? Something electric that you hook up to a workbench?”

“That was wierd. It automatically replaced the word bast ard with that gibberish.

p.s. You may need someone to hold whatever it is you are sharpening, or put into a vice or something.”

“Chief, I worked on the hatchet with a file for two hours and couldn't get a sharp edge. I'm thinking of tossing it and starting over.

The flat file doesn't work on the middle rounded edge of the shovel, and I saw a five dollar tool on line that looks rounded to file that spot. I just thought I would ask if there was a better way. I'm intrigued about the name "flat !@#&@!"?”

“Yeah, a grinder has a spinning wheel of stone...gives you a rough edge you'll want to smooth out, but makes short work of a dull edge.

It's not for fine-tune stuff, but for shovels, hoes, junk like that, you can put a pretty wicked edge on it in a matter of seconds.

Good for axes and hatchets too, but you may want to put a finer edge on it with that flat bas tard.”

“I can't remember how the name was derived, but I know that is what it is called, and it is also stamped into the file down by the handle/stem.

My guess is that the file is old and wore out.”

“Now there's a thought. Most of our tools are hand me downs from grandfathers. Usually that is not a problem, but in this case....”

“That's: FLAT BASTARD.

sharpen shovel

I missed the saw discussion. I have one of those Gerber saws and liked it at first but since the blade is only attached at one end, it will eventually bend and/or break. I wasn't able to find a replacement blade. I like my 9.6 oz Sawvivor for winter trips.

”

“To sharpen shovels, axes, lawn mower blades etc, I use my trusty Dremel tool with a grinding bit. Takes a bit of practice to get an even edge, but once you get the hang of it, it works pretty good. For pruners and shears, I use a whetstone.”

“Thanks for that link, Violin, and the info on the saw. That site looks really helpful. My husband used to handle a lot of handyman stuff but me working less and him working more, I'm trying to take over a lot of the heavier yardwork and chores.

Thanks Baso4, for the whetstone idea. I have to look to see if we have one.”

“BTW the Sven Saw available at REI is an awesome little cutting tool. My blade finally wore out and I will definetly replace it.”

“...or you could just take it to your local full-service hardware store and they will sharpen it or send it out!”

“The Sven is nice too but weighs more.”

“I'm definitely not an expert here, but there are different types of edges that can be put on a blade. The angle and roundness of the edge, combined with the hardness and toughness of the steel, make a big difference. For example, a good "hollow ground" knife can be given back it's great edge with a few quick strokes with a honing stone...and you can do it many times.Good chefs are very familiar with this.

When using a grinder, make sure you don't overheat the edge of the blade. You can ruin the heat treatment of the steel and make it too soft to hold an edge. That ruins the blade permanently.

If you have an expensive blade, consider going to a professional knife sharpener. Same with scissors. Ask your barber...many times they have someone who sharpens all their stuff. Lawnmower shops probably know about this also.

This is one of the sharper threads I have seen in a while.”

“Oh Phil, you're such a cut up!”

“Who axed you?”

“I'm in stitches from your puns and needles.”

“We are edging closer to thread degeneration with this talk of needles.”

“Would you guys cut that out, you're killing me.”

“Good point guys! Your wit is keen and finely honed. Ya'll are on the cutting edge of comedy.

A metal file works well on gardening tools as you don't really need a razor-sharp edge. Be careful with a grinder...you don't want a groovy edge.”

“Any way you slice it, it takes a keen person to keep this up!”

“Buddur, ya beat me to it.”

“I will make a point of not being such a dullard.”

“Saw blades are cheap enough to just replace. An axe must be made of a decent grade steel to take and hold an edge. Most camp hatchets are low carbon steel and too soft to maintain an edge.”

“That was incisive.”

“you've really whet my appetite for a-cute puns! you're "quick" on the "draw"!”

“Hew are so right!”

“chop it!!! your killing me!”

“what a bunch of HACKS! i SAW this one coming a mile away!”

“I'll cut it back, a bit.”

“I'm taking it to the hilt!!!”

“It's your tang, its your tang. Do whatcha wanna do!”

“oh, go ahead and take a stab at it!”

“-I'm not sure I can handle this, you guys are making ashes of yourselves. I can't believe I bit on this thread. It all adze up after a while. I am aPAUled at the Bunyans on my feet, from sharpening my wit against those of you who are doing such a hatchet job on this subject.”

“shear genius.”

“The jig is up! I'm having trouble coping with this thread. It seems to go round and round, like in a circular motion. So, I miters well bow out now. 'Nuff bandying for today.
R-I-P”

“wood you mind if i split, now?”

“If I could just wedge into this pun-a-thon for a moment . . . I'll try not to maul it too badly. I”

“Oh God, I think I just burst my spleen laughing!”

“My, my aren't we a bit snippy today. What got your kerf up?”

“"Are You Sharp Enough?"
Sharp as a marble !

You all are too much !

I use my Father in-law
for sharpening knives... retired butcher ( 30 yrs) He can sharpen knives better than anyone I've seen ... I could shave with any of my knives after he is through with them! For garden tools I use a flat file. I only use the bench grinder on the lawnmower blades .”

“"I use my Father in-law
for sharpening knives"

Wouldn't a sharpening stone work better? How do you get him to sit still for that?!!”

“He must be a pretty dull and abrasive person!”

“I think TT wit has reached a new high point. Lots of cut-ups around here. However, I have pressing matters that won't let me poke around here for a while.”

“I had fun watching 'Leave it to Beaver' today. Today's episode was about Beaver's raspy throat and how the Cleavers treated it with sliced lemon.”

“Whats going on? This type of humor is way too clean-cut for TT.”

“What a bunch of cut-ups!”