Maintaining the Edge: A Guide to Sharpening and Oiling Secateurs and Loppers
In gardening, few things are more frustrating than a tool that doesn’t cut cleanly. You reach for your trusty secateurs or loppers, squeeze the handles, and instead of that satisfying snip, you’re left crushing stems or chewing through branches. Sound familiar? If so, your tools are probably overdue for a little TLC.
Secateurs and loppers are the workhorses of the garden. They’re used regularly; sometimes daily, yet they often get tossed back into the shed without a second thought. But here’s the catch: when these tools are sharp, clean, and well-oiled, they make gardening smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable. Plus, clean cuts mean healthier plants. At Flourish and Bloom Gardening, we always say, “A clean blade is a kind cut.” It’s true in more ways than one.
Why Maintenance Matters
When your cutting tools are dull or sticky, they tear rather than slice. That leaves plants vulnerable to disease, pest infestation, and poor healing. It also makes your hands and wrists work harder, increasing fatigue and even injury. Maintaining your blades isn’t just about performance—it’s about protecting your plants and yourself.
Let’s break it down into two simple but essential practices: sharpening and oiling.
Sharpening – It’s Easier Than You Think
You don’t need to be a tool smith to sharpen secateurs or loppers. It takes only a few minutes and can be done with a sharpening stone, carbide sharpener, or even a fine file. The key is to follow the original bevel of the blade and avoid over-sharpening.
Here’s a simple rhythm we follow:
- Clean the blades first – warm soapy water and a wire brush will remove sap and dirt.
- Dry thoroughly to avoid rust.
- Use your sharpener at the same angle as the blade’s existing bevel—usually around 20–25 degrees.
- Stroke in one direction, not back and forth.
- Wipe the blade clean after sharpening to remove metal filings.
If you haven’t sharpened in a while, you’ll notice the difference immediately. The blades glide through stems instead of snagging, and the cuts are crisp and clean.
Oiling – The Unsung Hero
Once your blades are sharp, the next step is oiling—and this is where many gardeners drop the ball. Oiling not only keeps blades moving freely but also protects them from rust and sap build-up.
After every few uses, or following a sharpening session, we recommend:
- Applying a light coat of general-purpose oil (linseed or mineral oil work well)
- Wiping off any excess to avoid sticky residue
- Working the oil into the moving joints, this prevents stiffness and squeaking
If your secateurs or loppers have become difficult to open or close, a drop of oil on the pivot bolt can work wonders. It’s one of those small things that makes a big difference.
A Habit Worth Building
Like anything in the garden, maintenance is best when it becomes routine. You don’t need to obsess over your tools after every cut, but checking them every few weeks, especially during peak growing seasons, will keep them in top form. We even suggest keeping a sharpening stone in your garden apron or toolbelt. That way, a quick touch-up is always within reach.
In our team at Flourish and Bloom, we treat our tools with the same respect we give our plants. When the gear is looked after, everything runs smoother. The job becomes lighter, faster, and more rewarding. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about restoring a blunt old pair of secateurs and seeing them come back to life with just a bit of sharpening and oil.
A well-kept garden begins with well-kept tools. Sharpened blades cut cleaner, oiled joints move smoother, and your plants respond with better growth and less stress. So, before your next pruning session, give your secateurs or loppers a moment of attention. It only takes a few minutes to maintain the edge, but the benefits last all season.
