Guide : how to sharpen your secateurs

MAINTENANCE

How to sharpen your secateurs?

Well-sharpened secateurs cut cleanly, take less effort and protect the plant. Follow this guide to sharpen your blades safely, at home.

QUICK ANSWER

	Safety: work on a stable bench, gloves and goggles recommended.
	Clean the blades (soap and water), then dry them.
	Sharpen the existing bevel with a file or stone (light passes), then very gently deburr the flat face.
	Lubricate the blades to prevent corrosion (grease or tool lubricant).
	Paper test: the cut should be clean, with no snagging.

WHY SHARPEN

A CLEAN CUT PROTECTS THE PLANT

Blunt secateurs damage the tissue, leave ragged wounds and make you force the cut. A clean edge reduces effort, protects the plant and improves precision.

SHARPENING TOOLS

Sharpening stone

For controlled, even passes.

Sharpener

A practical solution, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Metal file

An alternative to the stone, roughly 20 to 30° on the bevel.

Cloth

Cleaning and wiping the blades.

SHOP SHARPENING FILES →

SHARPENING METHODS

1	Prepare your tools Gather a stone, a flat file and a cloth. Check the condition of the blades: if they are too damaged, consider replacing them.
2	Disassemble (if needed) On a badly damaged blade, remove the pivot screw as per the manual for better access to the bevel. Sharpening without disassembly is still possible if access is good.
3	Clean the blades Remove sap, resin and oxidation so you can work on a clean edge.
4	Sharpen the bevel Slide the stone or file along the bevel (steady outward strokes), following the original angle, until the burrs are gone.
5	Deburr and test Very gently deburr the flat face, then check the edge (paper test) and adjust if needed.
6	Reassemble and lubricate Reassemble, set the pivot tension, then apply grease to the pivot and a thin film of lubricant on the blades.

DO NOT CHANGE THE ANGLE

Always keep the original angle (around 20 to 30° depending on the model) and remove as little material as possible. Changing the angle speeds up wear and harms the cut.

MAINTENANCE & SAFETY

	Frequency: sharpen as soon as the cut starts to snag, after heavy work or fibrous plants.
	Hygiene: after pruning diseased plants, clean and disinfect with alcohol before lubricating.
	Storage: keep dry, with the blades protected and lightly oiled.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What angle should I keep?

Follow the original angle (around 20 to 30° depending on the model). Do not change the angle, to avoid premature wear.

Manual sharpener or stone?

Both work well. The stone gives fine control; the sharpener is faster when used according to the instructions.

Do I always need to disassemble?

No, sharpening without disassembly is still possible if access to the bevel is good. On a badly damaged blade, disassembling makes the job easier.

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How to sharpen your secateurs?

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