Sharpening hedge trimmers: a guide

Sharpening hedge trimmers: a guide

The types of hedge trimmers

Hedge trimmers (€ 135.56 at Amazon *) are not all hedge trimmers. Basically, two types can be distinguished: the manually operated hedge trimmer and motorized hedge trimmer that is connected to an energy source.

also read

  • Disassembling the hedge trimmer: a guide
  • Maintaining a hedge trimmer
  • Clean the hedge trimmer properly

Manually operated hedge trimmers

Manually operated hedge trimmers look like oversized secateurs (€ 15.99 on Amazon *) with a very long handle and longer, straight cutting edges. Sharpening also works in a similar way to pruning shears and is significantly faster than sharpening other types of hedge trimmers.

Motorized hedge trimmers

There are basically three common types:

  • Petrol hedge trimmer
  • Electric hedge trimmer
  • Hedge trimmer with battery

For sharpening, it doesn't matter where the energy comes from; the cutting blades are very similar in all three cases. The cutting blade has numerous points, each of which must be sharpened individually. The work is therefore a bit tedious, but it is worth it. It is important that you remove the energy source before sharpening so that the hedge trimmer cannot come on.

Sharpen motorized hedge trimmers

  • file
  • dry cloth
  • Gloves
  • possibly protective goggles
  • Wooden block for storing the cutting blades
  • or screw clamp to be able to fix the hedge trimmer.
  • Cleaning oil

1. Caution first

First make sure that the hedge trimmer cannot start under any circumstances. To do this, pull the plug from electric shears, remove the battery from hedge trimmers with a rechargeable battery and pull out the spark plug from petrol hedge trimmers.

You should also wear gloves to protect yourself from injury. Safety glasses can also be useful.

2. Optional: Disassemble the hedge trimmer

If you can remove the cutting blades of your hedge trimmer from the holder, this has several advantages: You can sharpen both cutting blades much more thoroughly and easily and you can thoroughly clean both the cutting blades and the hedge trimmer body - both inside and outside. In this article, we will explain how to dismantle your hedge trimmer.

When you've disassembled your hedge trimmer, place a cutting blade on a block of wood for sharpening and work on the part that protrudes beyond it.

If you don't disassemble your hedge trimmer, fix it as you can, e.g. with a vice.

3. Sharpen the cutting blade

Now place the file on the top prong and file from top to bottom. Moving back and forth is not a good idea; always file smoothly and evenly in one direction. Pay attention to the right angle! 15 to 20 movements per side should be enough. Then move on to the next prong and file all of the prongs on the exposed side in one direction.

4. Sharpen the other side

If you have not disassembled your hedge trimmer, now is the time to do the following: Put the spark plug or battery back in or connect the hedge trimmer to the power supply. Turn them on for a moment and pause where the prongs obscure the side you have already sharpened.

Now file the other side. Do not turn your hedge trimmer horizontally! It is not about the back, but the opposite side of the prongs, so to speak right and left, which was previously covered by the second cutting blade.

If you have disassembled your hedge trimmer, you can simply sharpen the entire point straight away.

5. Clean the cutting blade on the back

This step is only possible after you've disassembled your hedge trimmer, turn the blade over and file down the entire surface to remove dirt and any rust.

6. Second cutting blade

Now repeat the process with the second cutting blade.

7. Cleaning

If you have disassembled your hedge trimmer, rub the shaft on which the cutting blades are attached with some sandpaper. Then spray or rub both cutting blades and the shaft with a little oil and rub everything off with a dry cloth.

Otherwise just spray the cutting blades with oil and remove any residue from the files with a dry cloth.

Clean manually operated hedge trimmers

  • Wrench or screwdriver
  • coarse and fine grindstone
  • Container of water
  • dry cloth
  • Gloves
  • oil

1. Disassemble the hedge trimmer

Unscrew the hedge trimmer.

2. Cleaning

Remove coarse dirt with a brush, preferably a metal brush.

3. From coarse to fine

Dip the coarse grindstone in water or let it soak in water for an hour before starting work. Then use it to grind the two cutting blades with circular movements. Pay attention to the right angle!

Repeat the process with the fine grindstone.

4. Drying and oiling

Dry both parts with the dry cloth, then put a little oil on them that you rub thoroughly.

5. Assemble

Now reassemble your hedge trimmer and put some oil on the joints and screw connections.