Garden tool Rusty? No Problem

Customers often come to me holding a rusty garden tool, worried that it’s beyond repair. I assure them it’s not the end of the world.

Rust does affect the appearance and causes edges to dull faster than desired, but this deterioration happens gradually. With proper care, these tools can still perform effectively for many years.

That said, I strongly advise against allowing garden tools to develop rust in the first place. Store them indoors, away from moisture. Regularly applying oil to metal surfaces creates a protective barrier against water, preventing rust. Oiling moving parts also reduces friction, making the tools easier to handle.

I sharpen nearly all garden tools, including hand pruners, loppers, hedge clippers, pole pruners, and chain saws. After sharpening, I clean them up, remove most of the rust, and oil and adjust.

However, I do not sharpen hand saws.