Tool sharpening in Exeter
Professional tool sharpening services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Garden tool blades sharpened to proper working edges. Secateurs cut instead of crush, spades slice through soil, shears actually trim. Makes gardening way less hard work.
When Tools Stop Cutting Properly
You've been sawing at a branch with secateurs that just crush and tear instead of cutting cleanly. Your spade bounces off soil instead of slicing through. Garden shears mangle stems rather than trimming them. All because the edges are blunt - and you're working twice as hard as you need to.
💡 Pro tip: Sharp tools are safer than blunt ones. Sounds backwards, but it's true - blunt tools slip and need excessive force. Sharp ones cut where you want with less pressure.
Sharp vs Blunt Tools
| ✅ Sharp Tools | ❌ Blunt Tools |
|---|---|
| Cut cleanly, minimal effort | Crush, tear, or bounce |
| Clean cuts heal faster (plants) | Ragged wounds invite disease |
| Less physical strain | Exhausting to use |
| Work efficiently | Frustrating and slow |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check all blades for damage, rust, wear |
| Clean | Remove rust and debris before sharpening |
| Sharpen | File or grind each blade to correct angle |
| Oil | Protect newly exposed metal |
| Test | Check edge quality (paper test for cutting tools) |
📦 You're Left With
- Properly sharp cutting edges
- Correct angle for each tool type
- Protected against rust
- Advice on maintaining sharpness
Pricing Guide
| Tools | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small set (5-8 tools) | 1 hr | £60 |
| Large set (10-15 tools) | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Time depends on condition and number of tools.
Perfect For...
✅ Secateurs crushing stems - need sharp edges for clean cuts
✅ Spade hard to use - blunt edge makes digging exhausting
✅ Shears tearing plants - should cut cleanly
✅ Annual maintenance - keep everything working well
Why Choose Us for Tool sharpening in Exeter?
All cutting edges properly sharpened
Correct angle for each tool type
Blades cleaned before sharpening
Advice on maintaining edges
What to Expect
Step 1: Tool Check
I'll look at all your cutting tools, test edges, note any damage beyond just dullness. You'll know what's sharpenable and what might need replacing.
Step 2: Sharpen Each Tool
Work through systematically - correct angle for each tool type. Secateurs get a different treatment to spades. Filing or grinding as appropriate.
Step 3: Clean & Protect
Wipe clean, light oil on newly sharpened edges. Quick test to check sharpness. Advice on how to maintain edges between sharpenings.
🔧 DIY Tips
Sharpening is a proper skill but basics are learnable:
🔧 What you'll need
- Files: mill file for spades/hoes, small file for secateurs
- Sharpening stone (for fine edges)
- Wire brush for cleaning
- Oil for protecting
- Vice or clamp to hold tools
- Safety gloves
📐 The angles
- Spades/hoes: 45° angle, file in one direction
- Secateurs: 20-25° angle, follow existing bevel
- Shears: 30° angle, maintain original edge
- Axes: 25-30° angle depending on use
🔧 Basic technique
- Clamp tool securely (or use vice)
- Clean blade thoroughly
- File in one direction following the existing bevel
- Count strokes and match on other side if double-beveled
- Remove burr with stone
- Test sharpness (should slice paper easily)
- Oil to protect
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Filing back and forth (creates ragged edge)
- Wrong angle (ruins the cutting geometry)
- Not removing the burr (feels sharp but isn't)
- Over-sharpening one side (creates uneven bevel)
💡 Pro trick: For secateurs and shears, only sharpen the beveled side. The flat side stays flat - just remove any burr that forms. Sharpening both sides ruins the cutting action.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌿 Plant health matters: Clean cuts from sharp secateurs heal faster and reduce disease risk. Ragged crushing wounds from blunt blades invite infection. Especially important for roses and fruit trees.
Cleaning included: I always clean blades before sharpening - rust and dirt make the job harder and waste the sharp edge. You get both services in one.
Can't save everything: Sometimes blades are too damaged, too thin, or made of unhardened steel that won't hold an edge. I'll tell you honestly what's worth sharpening vs replacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools can you sharpen?
Secateurs, shears, loppers, spades, hoes, axes, lawn mower blades if they're removable. Pretty much anything with a cutting edge. I'll use the right technique and angle for each tool type.
How often should tools be sharpened?
Cutting tools (secateurs, shears) - annually or when they start crushing instead of cutting. Spades and hoes - every couple of years or when digging feels like hard work. Depends on use and soil type.
Will sharpening really make that much difference?
Massive difference. Sharp secateurs cut cleanly without damaging stems. Sharp spades slice through soil with way less effort. You'll notice immediately.
Do you sharpen on-site or take tools away?
On-site with portable equipment. Tools don't leave your property. You can watch if you're interested in learning the technique.
Can you fix damaged blades or just sharpen?
I can sharpen and repair minor damage (nicks, chips). If blades are seriously damaged or bent, I'll tell you honestly whether they're salvageable or need replacing.
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