Quickly Sharpen Your Garden Tools With An Easy-To-Use Tool From STIHL

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For some DIYers, sharpening their tools is a hobby in and of itself. For others, sharpening is a task they procrastinate on, even with gardening tools that should be sharpened regularly. Luckily, there are dozens of tools to help keep your tools' blades in good working order, like the Stihl All-In-1 Sharpening Tool. Choosing between these tools can be daunting, so look no further. For quicker, easier maintenance of pruning shears, axes, and more, the Stihl All-In-1 Sharpening Device features an ergonomic grip and three different sharpening blades. It retails for $19.99 MSRP and can be found at Ace Hardware or your local hardware store.

Sometimes called the 3-in-1 Sharpener, this tool's tungsten-carbide blades are each specially designed to sharpen different tools. One corner features a sharpener for hand pruners, while the other is for axes, hatchets, and knives. The inset sharpener near one corner is specifically designed for scissors, a tool that users often try to sharpen using common hacks that don't work. Its ergonomic nylon handle helps you sharpen safely, often without requiring a workbench or table. If it's a long trek back for a proper sharpening setup, or if sharpening is something you prefer to let a pro handle, try this tool to quickly and effectively touch up sharp edges.

In one corner of the Stihl All-In-1 Sharpening Tool, you'll find the tool's pruning shears sharpener. To use it, open up your shears and drag the sharpener down the blade from the inside out, applying consistent, moderate pressure. The sharpener on the opposite corner is used for dual-edge blades. Simply drag the sharpener from top to bottom or back to front across your axe or hatchet edge, again applying consistent pressure. The third sharpening blade, designed for sharpening standard scissors, is somewhat hidden on the side of the tool, next to the dual-edge sharpener. To use this sharpener, lay the tool flat on a table or workbench, sharpening side up. Hold it down securely with one hand while dragging the scissors blade from back to front through the sharpener.

Work carefully since this tool has few safeguards in case your hand slips. Wear heavy gloves for extra protection while sharpening. Also, it's safer for you and more effective for your tools to make multiple passes with lighter pressure, instead of fewer passes with heavy pressure. One reviewer points out that this sharpener is best suited to quick, on-the-go sharpening jobs. They write, "It does not replace the need for occasional filing or grinding due to advanced wear when the proper cutting angles need to be restored." If you're trying to sharpen an axe to perfection, for example, you may need a vice and a coarse file to completely restore its cutting edge.