Keeping Your Bypass Pruners Razor Sharp – A Complete Guide

As an avid gardener keeping my pruning tools in top shape is a top priority. Dull blades make pruning tasks much harder and can damage plants. That’s why I never head out to prune without ensuring my bypass pruner blades are honed to a razor-sharp edge.

In this article, I’ll provide a complete guide to sharpening bypass pruners properly We’ll look at why sharp blades matter, techniques and tools to sharpen effectively, and maintenance tips to extend the life of your pruners Let’s get started and get those pruners piercingly sharp!

Why Properly Sharpened Bypass Pruner Blades Matter

It’s tempting to just use your bypass pruners until they become too dull to cut anymore. But walking around your garden snipping away with a dull blade can cause significant issues:

• Ragged Cuts – The blades will mash and tear rather than making clean, smooth cuts. Ragged cuts take longer to heal, leaving plants prone to disease.

• Increased Injury Risk – More hand strength and pressure is required with dull blades. This can lead to hand strains and slips that cut into stems you didn’t intend to prune.

• Damage to Plants – Squeezing and crushing stems instead of cutting introduces trauma. Dull blades essentially bruise and injure plants, which drains their energy and vigor.

• Inaccurate Cuts – Lack of blade precision makes it hard to prune off the exact amount of growth intended.

Regular sharpening eliminates these problems, making pruning easier, safer, and healthier for you and your plants.

How to Sharpen Bypass Pruner Blades

Now that we’ve covered why sharp pruners matter, let’s get into the specific techniques and tools needed to put an incredibly sharp edge on your bypass blades:

Supplies Needed

• Coarse sharpening stone
• Fine sharpening stone
• Flat mill file
• Protractor gauge
• Gardening gloves
• Lubricating oil
• Clean cloths

Step 1 – Disassemble the Blades

Bypass pruners are made up of a top blade that glides over a bottom blade to make cuts. Start by unscrewing the pivot bolt that connects these two blades. This allows sharpening each individually.

Step 2 – Clean the Blades

Wipe away dirt, debris, sap, and rust from both blades using a cloth dipped in diluted vinegar. Rinse and dry completely.

Step 3 – File Down Nicks

Examine the cutting edges and file down any nicks or dents using even, smooth strokes. Nicks prevent clean cuts and should be removed.

Step 4 – Confirm Blade Angles

Most quality bypass pruner blades have beveled cutting edges ground to 25-30 degrees. Use a protractor gauge to check and match the bevel angle.

Step 5 – Sharpen the Beveled Edge

Start with the beveled side of the top blade. Hold this edge against a coarse sharpening stone at the proper bevel angle. Draw the edge back over the stone using even, smooth strokes. Sharpen the beveled edge of the bottom blade the same way.

Step 6 – Refine the Cutting Edge

Switch to the fine sharpening stone. Refine and polish the beveled edges of both blades with lighter, smoother strokes to achieve a razor-sharp cutting edge.

Step 7 – Sharpen the Flat Sides

Turn the blades over to expose the flat backside. Draw these flat surfaces over the fine stone to sharpen and true the cutting alignment.

Step 8 – Clean and Lubricate

Wipe both blades down removing all sharpening residue. Apply a thin lubricating oil to prevent rust and improve glide between the blades.

Step 9 – Reassemble the Pruners

Screw the top and bottom blades back together, adjust alignment if needed, and test the cut on scrap material before pruning plants.

Maintaining and Extending Bypass Pruner Life

To maximize the lifetime of your pruners and edge between sharpenings, be sure to:

• Clean blades after each use with mild soap and water.

• Always store pruners in an open position to prevent spring compression fatigue.

• Lubricate pivot points every few months with penetrating oil.

• Never use pruners to cut thicker branches than recommended.

• Touch up edges frequently with a few quick file strokes to maintain sharpness.

• Wipe off sap or residue during pruning to prevent buildup.

• Avoid exposing pruners to excessive moisture that promotes rust.

With repeated use, the cutting edges will eventually become too worn to sharpen. At that point, replacement blades or an entire new set of bypass pruners will be needed. But keeping your tools well-maintained and edges expertly sharpened will give you many years of peak pruning performance.

Getting Help Sharpening Pruners

If you don’t feel fully equipped to sharpen bypass pruner blades at home, many options for professional sharpening services exist:

• Local Hardware Stores – Check with hardware stores and chains like Home Depot, which often offer blade sharpening for a small fee.

• Nurseries and Garden Centers – Some nurseries sharpen tools and blades as an extra service for customers.

• Landscapers – Many professional landscapers routinely sharpen equipment and may do it for homeowners.

• Sharpening Services – Specialized mobile sharpening companies in many areas will pick up, sharpen and return tools for reasonable rates.

• Mail-In Services – You can also use national mail-in sharpening services but will pay more in shipping costs.

While a bit of an investment, getting professional sharpening for heavily used pruners each year helps restore top performance. And touch up edges yourself between pro sharpenings.

Know When It’s Time to Replace Pruner Blades

As bypass pruner blades undergo repeated sharpening over time, the metal will slowly wear away and the blade edges will angle inward.

Signs it’s time to replace your pruner blades include:

• Inability to sharpen to a clean, sharp edge
• Cutting edges that don’t fully meet when closed
• Blades angled too far inward from repeated sharpening
• Visible cracks or damage to the blade surface

On high-end pruners, you can purchase replacement blades and easily swap them out to restore cutting ability. For pruners without replaceable blades, you will need to invest in an entirely new set when blades reach the end of their lifespan.

Sharpening Bypass Pruners Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

While it takes a little practice and care to master, there’s really nothing difficult about putting an incredibly sharp edge on bypass pruners. The right tools combined with proper technique make the process straightforward. And you’ll be rewarded with tools that make pruning a pleasure rather than a chore.

Follow my tips to keep your pruners honed, clean, lubricated and rust-free. Consider getting professional sharpening annually to restore optimal performance. And change out worn blades to keep your pruners slicing through branches effortlessly for many seasons to come. Happy sharpening!