Sharpening Digging Tools

[Gare]

How many here sharpen your digging tools whet ever they be ? I know i DO !!! Itry and keep mine VERY SHARP !!

 

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[buck8point]

Havent done mine yet, but have been considering doing so for a while now.
I imagine it makes quite a difference.

 

[MoonTzu]

That was the first thing I did when I got a trowel, put an edge on it!

 

[Gare]

Digging in the Dirt is not as important for cutting through ROOTS

 

[GA_Boy]

For shovel and Trowel types I use a grinder or file.
For Knife and probe I use a Diamond Sharpener set from Harbor Freight. 380, 260, or 120 Grit.
For roots a Drywall saw is OK----------just break odd the first 1-2 inches, if needed, https://images.homedepot-static.com...ee-hand-saws-48-22-0304-64_400_compressed.jpg of the tip so it won't be too flimsy.

Marvin

 

[Duckshot]

Sharp tools are a joy to use. I sharpen wood working tools, but I've never took a file to a spade. What techniques do you use, Gare?

 

[GA_Boy]

A vice if needed.
Marvin

 

[Red James Cash]

Not much point in putting a sharp edge on digging tools.First time it's shoved into dirt the edge is gone.

 

[Duckshot]

Not much point in putting a sharp edge on digging tools.First time it's shoved into dirt the edge is gone.

A brand new axe will come from the factory about as dull as a doorknob. Its likely that its the same with spades. I would guess if a spade were filed on only one side like a wood chisel, but at a steep angle like a cold chisel you wouldn't have the edge fold easily as if it were sharp like a knife. But i have never tried sharpening my gold prospecting spades . . I don't have a MD, I'm arecreational panner.

As far as stainless trowel spades, don't bother sharpening stainless. Just scratch the part of the tip that folded over off on a rock. That'll be as sharp as it'll ever get.

 

[Red James Cash]

Stainless sucks point blank lol.Stainless is pretty brittle.Stainless blades snap fairly easy.

 

[sugarcreek]

Small grinder and YES, put a quick fairly sharp bevel to the edge. Large improvement.

 

[Gare]

I keep mine sharp and when it comes to roots i like to make short work of them.
Some times i use a bench grinder or Disc grinder. Some times i use a file. But when it comes to cutting roots you will be happy you sharpened them

 

[GA_Boy]

Not much point in putting a sharp edge on digging tools.First time it's shoved into dirt the edge is gone.

Depends on the metal it's made of and how well it was tempered.
Marvin

 

[Bama Billy]

Anyone that thinks putting an edge on a digger is pointless has never done it. You don’t want it sharp enough to shave with, that would indeed get dull very quickly. But the edge that came on my garret digger was terrible. I used a grinder with a fairly worn out flap wheel on it and it worked perfect. I reprofiled the edge and the tip and it made a big difference.

 

[Duckshot]

Stainless sucks point blank lol.Stainless is pretty brittle.Stainless blades snap fairly easy.

I got a few stainless steel knives. They are much softer than my tool steel knives and the stainless edge will fold over rather than breaking. A folded edge is more blunt and worthless than a dull steel blade.

I have found that bades that rust stay sharp much longer and under harder use than stainless. But, steel takes longer to sharpen than stainless. You can rub the folded edge off a stainless trowel with a rock.

 

[Rookster]

I've only sharpened my Lesche Parahna once. They come very sharp but it's getting time. Just got the Lesche Raptor #31 in last week and it comes very sharp. Love that tool and I have several of their tools. Very hard material and great tools. Side note: I Do not work for them.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I sharpen all my stuff 1-2 times per season, or as needed. Just take the angle grinder to it! Finishing touches can be done with a whetstone if needed.

 

[Gare]

Sharp tools are a joy to use. I sharpen wood working tools, but I've never took a file to a spade. What techniques do you use, Gare?

I just usually use a bench grinder to put a sharp edge on them. Sorry for the long delay

 

[crashbandicoot]

A 4 1/2" angle grinder works very well.Two things,don,t get in a hurry and overheat the digger edge and be darn careful with those angle grinders.Use a vise or C-clamp to hold what you,re grinding and keep two hands on the grinder,they,ll turn on you and it ain,t pretty what they can do to flesh.Watch those loose clothes like shirt tails and a pair of heavy gloves ain,t a bad idea either.Learned this the hard way,don,t you learn it that way too!

 

[newnan man]

A 4 1/2" angle grinder works very well.Two things,don,t get in a hurry and overheat the digger edge and be darn careful with those angle grinders.Use a vise or C-clamp to hold what you,re grinding and keep two hands on the grinder,they,ll turn on you and it ain,t pretty what they can do to flesh.Watch those loose clothes like shirt tails and a pair of heavy gloves ain,t a bad idea either.Learned this the hard way,don,t you learn it that way too!

You can get good battery angle grinders and keep one right in the truck. Goggles & gloves!!!