How to sharpen lopper blades?

Which type of file should you use to sharpen lopper blades?

Single cut file

To sharpen a dulled or blunted lopper blade, use a single cut file.

Single cut files have teeth that stretch across the width of the file in parallel rows, and are ideal for sharpening knives and blades.

How to sharpen lopper blades

Note:

Loppers have only one sharpened blade; don’t attempt to sharpen your lopper’s unsharpened bottom blade, or its anvil. You should only use this guide for sharpening lopper blades which are intended to be sharp.

Step 1 – Clean the blade

Using warm water and a non-corrosive soap, clean the blade thoroughly to remove any particles of rust and debris. You should also clean off any hardened plant sap on the blade, using a solvent such as rubbing alcohol or kerosene.

Step 2 – Secure lopper

Without applying so much force as to damage it, secure your lopper in a vice, with the blades parted and the sharp edge pointing away from you.

Step 3 – File blade edge

Holding your file at a shallow an angle, file along the whole of the length of the blade. You should push the file forward over the edge of the blade, but never scrape it back. Getting the blade as sharp as you need it may take more than one stroke.

Step 4 – Remove ‘foil’

Filing in this way causes a unique type of burr, called a ‘foil’, to form along the edge of the blade. This can look like a thin, metallic piece of string.

Remove the foil by pulling it gently away from the edge of the blade.