Here's How To Sharpen Your Machete's Dull Blade For Precise Gardening Cuts

A machete is often seen in a negative light because of its portrayal in horror films. In reality, it is among the most versatile and trusted tools for garden work. It is not only ideal for clearing bushes but also a good tool to use when cutting through dense vegetation, pruning trees, and taking on tasks that other tools may struggle with. This is precisely why a machete's blade cannot be expected to stay sharp for an extended period of time. Its regular use in the garden accelerates the dulling process since the blade repeatedly encounters tough materials like dense plants and branches. This quickly wears down the sharp edge of the blade.

But you don't need to immediately include your dull machete blade in the list of gardening supplies to get rid of. Fortunately, the process of sharpening a machete's dull blade is straightforward. It doesn't require heavy duty tools and mostly just needs things that you may already be using to sharpen other tools — like a freshly revived metal file. 

You can easily sharpen the blade by using a single cut mill bastard file. With it, push the file from the base of the machete toward the direction of the tip or away from your body. Do this in a smooth and consistent motion while applying even pressure with each stroke. Repeat the process on the other side until you have achieved the sharpness of the machete that you desire. You need to also check for burrs, or bits of metal shavings, on the blade to maintain a fine edge.

A machete is one of the gardening tools you should be sharpening regularly, but note that it's not just any filing motion. A sharpening angle of 20 to 25 degrees is necessary to produce an edge for cutting grass or any other vegetation while an angle of 25 to 35 degrees is better suited for tough tasks like chopping wood. 

Ensuring a sharp machete not only helps prevent further wear and tear, but also ensures the safety of the gardener. After all, a dull blade is a dangerous blade. The sharpening process itself can also be dangerous, so the first thing to do to prevent any injury — like cutting yourself — is to secure your machete blade in place. Remember that you don't want it to slide while working so use a clamp or vise on a stable surface such as a table or a workbench. 

Aside from a file, a belt sander can also be used to sharpen your machete. This method requires you to be hyper-focused on the temperature of the blade and how fast the belt is turning to keep it from overheating. The same goes for when using a grinding wheel, which can be more dangerous if not used properly since the wheel is usually motorized and hard to immediately stop in case of emergencies. So, for those who are just looking to maintain their one machete, a file is already a huge help. Don't forget to use a honing steel after every use. Trust us, it will make a huge difference in the upkeep of your well-loved machete.