How Do You Sharpen A Trimming Tool?
Trimming tools are essential in pottery for shaping and refining the walls of wheel-thrown pieces. The most common trimming tools are loop tools, ribbon tools, and kidney tools. Keeping trimming tools sharp is critical for achieving clean, precise results when trimming leather-hard clay. Dull tools can tear clay, leave uneven surfaces, and make trimming much more difficult. Regular sharpening extends the life of tools and allows them to cut smoothly through clay.
Sharpening also removes dried clay that accumulates on the blades, preventing buildup that can impede trimming. This article provides techniques for assessing dullness, cleaning, sharpening with files and stones, testing sharpness, and maintaining a keen edge on trimming tools. With practice, you can learn to routinely sharpen your loop, ribbon, and kidney tools for flawless trimming and throwing.
Assess Dullness
The first step in sharpening a trimming tool is to assess its current sharpness. Dull tools exhibit signs such as jagged cuts, difficulty cutting clay, slipping on the clay surface, or leaving behind rough edges or grooves. According to ceramicartsnetwork.org, “Maintaining your trimming tools through regular cleaning and sharpening can extend their life and yield faster, more exact trimming results.”[1]
Watch for visual signs of wear on the cutting edge, such as small chips or rounded corners. Dull tools require greater pressure or multiple passes to trim the clay. Pay attention during the trimming process to notice any decreased cutting ability.
Trimming tools gradually dull with regular use. Inspect tools periodically to check their sharpness instead of waiting until they become completely dull. Addressing dullness early allows for quick sharpening touch-ups versus extensive sharpening for very worn edges.
- Look for jagged cuts and grooves left in the clay.
- Notice if greater pressure or multiple passes are needed.
- Inspect the cutting edge for small chips or rounded corners.
- Pay attention during trimming for decreased cutting ability.
Catching dullness early keeps sharpening fast and easy. Letting edges become very dull requires more extensive sharpening work.
[1] https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/tips-and-tools-sharp-trimming-tools
Clean The Blade
Over time, pruning tool blades can accumulate sap, plant residue, dirt, and rust. It’s important to regularly clean your trimming tools to remove this buildup and prevent rust. Here are some effective cleaning methods:
To remove sap, soak the blades in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover for 5-10 minutes. Use a small brush or toothpick to help dislodge any dried sap. According to https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/1/cleaning_pruning_tools/, blades can also be soaked in pine oil diluted with water to remove sap.
For dirt and residue, make a baking soda paste with a bit of water and gently scrub the blades. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Alternatively, try using vinegar or lemon juice mixed with salt to dissolve buildup. Wipe down with a clean cloth.
To remove rust, use steel wool or a very fine grit sandpaper to buff it off. Afterwards, clean the blades thoroughly. To help prevent future rust, wipe down tools after each use and store with a light coating of mineral oil.
Secure The Tool
Properly securing the trimming tool is an essential step in the sharpening process. This prevents movement while sharpening which can lead to an uneven edge. There are two main options for securing trimming tools:
Clamp the tool in a vise or workbench. Open the vise jaws wide enough to fit the blade or shank of the tool, then tighten the vise firmly to hold the tool stationary. Make sure the cutting edge faces upward and is accessible. Bench vises mounted to a workbench provide a stable base for sharpening larger tools like shovels, hoes, etc. For smaller shears or pruners, use a smaller vise mounted to a board.
Use a bench hook. A bench hook is a wooden block with a slot cut in one end and a stop block on the far end. Insert the blade into the slot to hold it in place. Position the stop block against the edge of a workbench or table to brace the bench hook. Hold the hook firmly as you sharpen. Bench hooks allow sharpening shears and other smaller tools comfortably by hand. Some have pre-cut slots for various sizes.
Proper clamping or bracing is important to avoid movement and uneven grinding. Don’t rely on holding the tool in your hands alone while sharpening. Consult https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-sharpen-garden-tools/ for tips on securing specific garden tools.
Use A File
Using a file is an effective way to sharpen many types of trimming tools. Look for a diamond or mill file that is around 6-12 inches long. Before filing, make sure the tool is securely clamped in a vise to avoid movement.
Hold the file at a consistent angle as you make long, even strokes along the length of the blade. Aim for around 15-20 strokes per side, then check sharpness. The filing motion will remove metal burrs and hone a fresh cutting edge. Apply moderate downward pressure as you file, but avoid bearing down too hard.
Filing requires patience, but this traditional approach works on all types of blades. Keep your strokes smooth and consistent. Resist the temptation to move the file sideways across the blade, as this can damage the cutting edge.
When one side feels sharp, flip the tool and repeat on the other side at the same angle. Filing takes practice, so expect to refine your technique over time. With care and effort, you can file many garden tools to a razor-sharp edge.
Try A Stone
Using a whetstone or diamond stone is a great way to sharpen your trimming tools. A whetstone is a rectangular block made of materials like novaculite, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide. A diamond stone substitutes tiny fragments of industrial diamonds for the whetstone’s abrasive particles. Both work by grinding away small amounts of metal as you slide the blade back and forth across the stone’s surface.
Sharpening with a stone takes some practice to master, but follows a basic process. Start by lubricating the stone with a bit of water or honing oil, which helps float away the steel particles removed while sharpening. Hold the tool at a 20 to 30 degree angle against the stone. Apply light pressure as you rub the blade across the stone using circular motions, first on one side of the blade and then the other. Continue sharpening alternating sides until you raise a burr, or rough metal edge, along the entire length of the cutting edge. Then gently hone both sides simultaneously until the burr is removed. This results in an incredibly sharp, polished edge.
Sources:
https://www.foodandwine.com/how-to-sharpen-a-knife-with-a-whetstone-7152149
Use A Grinder
Using an electric grinder can be an effective way to sharpen trimming tools like scissors, shears, and clippers. When using a grinder, be sure to follow some key tips:
Use a slow speed – High speeds generate too much heat which can damage and ruin the fine cutting edges of trimming tools. Keep the grinder at the lowest speed setting.
Apply cooling fluid – As the grinding wheel spins against the tool, friction creates heat. Use cooling fluid, like water, to keep the metal tool from overheating as you sharpen. The fluid will minimize damage to the metal.
Use gentle pressure – Only apply light pressure as you hold the tool against the grinding wheel. Too much pressure can take off too much metal, overheat the tool, and round the cutting edges. Let the grinder do the work with a delicate touch.
With the right technique, a grinder can efficiently restore sharp, precise edges on dull trimming tools. Slow speed, cooling fluid, and gentle pressure are key to avoid excess heat and metal removal.
Test Sharpness
Testing the sharpness of a trimming tool, such as gardening shears or pruning shears, is important to ensure it can make clean, precise cuts through branches and stems. There are a few easy methods to test sharpness at home.
One of the most common tests is to slice through a piece of paper. Start with a thicker paper like construction paper, then move to thinner papers like newspaper or even tissue paper. A sharp blade should slice smoothly through the paper without tearing or ragged edges. As noted on sharpeningsupplies.com, “If it does not cut fast and cleanly, it needs sharpening.” https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/How-Do-I-Know-If-My-Knife-or-Tool-is-Sharp-W43.aspx
You can also test sharpness by trimming a small branch or other plant sample. Make a few sample cuts on branches or twigs of varying thickness. A sharp blade will make smooth, clean cuts without crushing, tearing or excessive effort. As tsprof.us notes, “The average, so-called ‘working sharpness’ is when the blade easily cuts soft materials like paper, foodstuffs, natural fabrics, thin branches.” https://tsprof.us/blogs/news/5-ways-to-test-the-sharpness-of-the-blade
Maintain The Edge
Once your trimming tool is sharp, it is important to maintain that edge through proper storage and periodic honing. Store the tool safely in a block or sheath when not in use to protect the blade (ceramicartsnetwork.org). You should also periodically hone the edge with a sharpening stone or steel to realign the edge rather than waiting for it to become completely dull again. Light honing takes just a few strokes and will help the blade stay sharp longer.
For best results, hone the blade after every couple hours of use. Be sure to hone evenly on both sides of the blade at the same angle you sharpened it. Periodic honing helps maintain the sharp edge by realigning any tiny bends or folds in the cutting edge (todayshomeowner.com). Proper storage and regular honing will help you get the most life out of your trimming tool blade between full sharpenings.
When To Get Help
Even with proper sharpening and maintenance, blades and cutting edges can wear down over time. At some point it may be best to take tools to a professional for repair or replacement of the cutting edges. According to thestewartlumberco.com, blades should be professionally sharpened at least once per year. Signs that it’s time to take a tool in for professional help include:
– The blade feels very dull even right after sharpening
– There are large chips, cracks, or damage to the cutting edge
– The blade seems warped or bent
– You’ve sharpened repeatedly and can’t get a keen edge
– The tool requires significant repairs beyond just sharpening
Getting timely professional help ensures your tools stay in top working condition for efficiency and safety.
