Edging is a great way to add curb appeal to your yard. It makes your lawn look neat and tidy while also making it safer for children and pets. But how often should you sharpen your edger blade?
There’s only one answer to this question: “It depends.” And here’s why…
Edgers are designed to cut grass, not wood. They won’t last forever if you continue to sharpen them every year. However, if you’ve had your edger for over 2 years, then you probably shouldn’t sharpen it again until next spring.
But if you’ve just bought your edger, then you might as well sharpen it every year because it will wear down faster than normal.
And even though you may be tempted to sharpen your edger every year, you really shouldn’t do it. Sharpening your edger every year will shorten its lifespan, make it harder to maneuver around obstacles, and cause unnecessary damage to your lawn.
I recommend waiting 6 months before you sharpen your edgier. This gives it enough time to get used to the new shape and size of the blade. Then, once it has settled in, you can safely sharpen it every year without causing any problems.
Also Read: When to change edger blade? Tips For Changing Edger Blades
Table of Contents
When Should You Sharpen Your Edger Blades?
The best time to sharpen your edgers is when they’re brand-new. That means that they haven’t been used yet. If you have an old edger, then you’ll want to wait at least six months before you sharpen it.
If you don’t have an old edger or you’re unsure whether or not it’s safe to sharpen it now, then you should wait another six months.
If you have a newer edger, then you can sharpen it whenever you like. Just remember to keep it away from kids and pets so that it doesn’t hurt anyone.
The Best Way to Sharpen Your Edger Blades
You can use either a hand grinder or a power tool to sharpen your edgiers. I prefer using a hand grinder because it’s easier on my hands. Plus, it’s much cheaper than buying a power tool.
However, there are pros and cons to each method. Here are some things to consider when choosing which type of edger sharpener to buy:
Hand Grinders vs Power Tools
Hand grinders are more affordable than power tools, but they aren’t very powerful. So, if you need to sharpen your edging blades frequently, then you’ll want something with more power.
Power tools are better suited for people who only sharpen their edgers occasionally. These types of tools are usually more expensive than hand grinders.
So, if you plan on doing a lot of edging, then you’ll want a power tool. Otherwise, you’ll want a hand grinder.
Blade Size
Most hand grinders come with three different sizes of blades. The smallest ones are perfect for smaller edgers. The largest ones are ideal for larger edgers.
So, if you have a small edger, then you should go with the smallest blade. If you have a large edger, then you’d want to choose the largest blade.
Blade Type
Some hand grinders come with plastic blades. Others come with metal blades. Metal blades are stronger than plastic blades.
Metal blades are also less likely to break. So, if you’re worried about breaking blades, then you should definitely go with metal blades.
Blade Shape
There are two main shapes of blades: flat and serrated. Flat blades are easier to sharpen than serrated blades. However, serrated blades are sharper. So, if you want to cut through grass quickly, then you should probably go with serrated blades.
Blade Length
The length of the blade determines how many times you can sharpen it. Longer blades mean that you can sharpen them more often. But, shorter blades will last longer.
This is why most hand grinders come with multiple lengths of blades. They give you the option of choosing between long and short blades.
Blade Thickness
Thicker blades are harder to sharpen. So, if you have thick blades, then you might want to look into getting a thicker blade.
But, thinner blades are easier to sharpen. So, if you find that you have thin blades, then you should try to get thicker blades.
Blade Width
Blade width refers to the distance between the edge of one blade and the edge of the next blade. A wider blade allows you to make cuts in grass that are closer together.
But, narrower blades allow you to make cuts that are farther apart. So, if you don’t mind making bigger cuts, then you should go for a wider blade.
Blade Angle
If you have an edger with a straight handle, then you can adjust the angle of the blade by turning the handle. This lets you change the angle at which the blade faces.
A steeper angle means that the blade is facing up. And, a shallower angle means that the blade’s facing down.
A steeply angled blade makes it easier to push the blade through the grass. It also helps prevent the blade from slipping out of the ground.
However, a shallow angle makes it easier to pull the blade out of the ground. It also makes it easier to lift the blade out of the grass.
Blade Sharpening
You can sharpen your blades using either a stone or sandpaper. Stones are made of natural materials like granite. Sandpapers are made of synthetic material.
Stone sharpeners are best for sharpening blades. They’re easy to use and they won’t wear out as fast as sandpaper.
Sandpaper sharpeners work well too. They’re cheap and they don’t require much maintenance.
Also Read: Why does my edger string keep breaking?
How to sharpen your lawn edger blade
Despite the fact that you want the edger blade to be sharp, you must take several precautions. Moreover, you need to do several things before sharpening the edger blades. The following tips will help you sharpen your lawn edger blade:
The Lawn Edger’s Manual should be read
Read the owner’s manual of the lawn edger you are trying to sharpen before you start sharpening the blades. It is important to keep in mind that some lawn edgers are self-sharpening and should not be sharpened.
You may find a warning on the blade of your gas-powered or electric lawn edger not to sharpen it. It is recommended that you do not attempt to sharpen a lawn edger such as the Greenworks 12 Amp Electric Corded Edger.
Manual lawn edgers, however, require regular sharpening of their blades. When should you sharpen the blade of a manual lawn edger? How you use the lawn edger will determine how often you use it. Use it so often that you have to sharpen it so often, and vice versa.
While sharpening your lawn edger blade, you should also consider these tips from Kansas State University:
Enhancing performance by beveling the front edge of a new edger blade
After using an edger blade, clean it to remove debris or rust
Electric grinders can be used to repair damaged blades
If you don’t have access to an electric grinder, use a file.
The front edge of the blade is beveled
The front edge of the edger blade should be beveled so that soil can easily be pushed onto the blade, and you will have to exert less effort. The thin cutting edge of a sharp tool increases the applied pressure per square inch, which enhances its performance.
The slope of the lawn edger should be at a 20-degree angle if you use it for light-duty tools. Increase the bevel angle for heavy-duty tools.
It is not always beneficial to sharpen your lawn edger blade. The default bevel angle of the blade should be maintained. Sharpening the bevel angle may weaken the blade’s edge and cause it to wear out more quickly.
Blade cleaning
The blade should always be maintained, regardless of whether you plan to sharpen it. Once the blade has been used, clean it with a scouring pad or stiff brush, then store it.
If the blade has developed dust or debris, clean it and remove it before sharpening.
Using an electric grinder to sharpen your lawn edger blade
The best way of sharpening manually operated lawn edgers or landscaper edgers that look like a shovel is by using an electric grinding machine. This is because it allows you to quickly adjust the angle of the blade while you grind.
There are many different kinds of grinders out there. Some are handheld, some require a stand, and others are stationary. But regardless of what type of grinder you choose, here are some tips for how to do it correctly.
1. Make sure you have a good quality grinder. Grinders come in different sizes, shapes, and prices. A cheap one won’t cut it. Look for a high-quality grinder that has adjustable angles and is easy to clean.
2. Use abrasive paper. For most people, fine-grade sandpaper works well. Sanding machines usually come with several grades of grit ranging from 400 to 2000. Choose something that fits your needs.
3. Start with coarse grit. When you start off, you want to make sure your blade is sharp enough. To accomplish this, you’ll want to start with a coarse grit, such as 80 or 120. Once you’ve done that, move up to medium grit. Then finally, finish with fine grit.
4. Grind slowly. Don’t rush. Take your time and pay attention to detail. While you’re doing this, keep the handle down low. This allows you to see exactly where your blade is touching the wheel.
5. Clean regularly. After every few passes, wipe away the dust that accumulates on the grinder. Also, check the wheel itself for dirt and debris.
6. Keep track of progress. Every time you change the grit, take note of how long it takes to complete each pass. This helps you know how much longer it will take to finish the job.
Also Read: Why does my edger vibration? Repairing an Edger That Vibrates
Sharpening a lawn edger blade safely with an angle grinder
There are many different types of blades used in gardening tools like lawn edgers, trimmers, and hedge shears. When you want to sharpen one of those blades, you must know how to do it properly. Otherwise, you could damage the tool. Here is what you need to know.
1 Use the correct angle grinder.
You should choose an angle grinder with a 3/4 inch diameter wheel. Also, make sure that the grinding disc is 2 inches wide.
2 Choose the proper angle.
If you want to sharpen the blade correctly, you must set the angle grinder to 90 degrees. To find out the exact angle, turn the wheel clockwise and count the number of teeth. Then, multiply the number of teeth by 15.5 and add 45 degrees to the result. For example, if you see 28 teeth, multiply 28 by 15.5 and round off to 30. Add 45 degrees and you’ll get 135 degrees.
3 Start sharpening.
When you start sharpening, hold the edge of the blade against the grinding disc. Turn the wheel counterclockwise and move the blade along the surface of the grinding disc. Make sure that the blade moves smoothly and does not hit anything. Do not apply too much pressure because it might cause the blade to break.
FAQS
When Should I Buy A New Lawn Edger Blade?
It depends on what kind of edger you own. If you have a smaller edger, then you’ll need to buy a smaller blade. If you have a larger edger, then you may not need to replace your blades very often. You could just keep replacing the blades every few months.
How Do I Know When To Replace My Lawn Edger Blades?
As mentioned above, lawn edgers usually come with several different blades. The blades are designed to fit the size of the edger. So, if you have a small edger, then you should only need to replace your blades once per year. If you have a large edger, then you might only need to replace your blade once every three years.
How often should you change edger blades?
The best way to determine when you should replace your blades is to look at the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, there are some other factors that can help you decide whether or not you should replace your blades. These include:
How do you maintain an edger?
If you use your edger frequently, then you should probably replace your blades more often than once per year. But, if you don’t use your edger as often, then you can wait until twice per year.
Also Read: Where can I rent a lawn edger?
Reference