Maintenance

Good quality tools can be expensive. That's why it's important to maintain them regularly so they last as long as possible. We have some pretty simple tips and tricks about keeping your Silky and other tools in the best shape possible.

1. Use your tool
Always use the tool for the material it is designed for, and always take care with sharp blades. Check your tool before you start to ensure there are no faults.


2. Clean your tool
During use, the blades of your tools can collect tree sap and other debris, so the easiest way to clean them is by using warm soapy water and a light scouring pad.



3. Dry your tool
After cleaning, it's extremely important to dry your tools thoroughly to avoid the risk of rusting.



4. Sharpen your tool
It is essential to keep your blades sharp for maximum results. Sharp blades will make your job a lot easier. On most blades you will see a bevel (the anglethat ends at the sharp edge). This is what you want to sharpen - along the angle of the bevel. With Silky Saws, refer to the Silky Technology page in each of the saw entries to see which saws are sharpenable. 
Bypass type tools will only have a bevel on one side of the blade, whereas Anvil type tools will have a bevel on both sides of the blade.
We recommend a diamond file sharpener with a medium grit to be suitable for all your garden tools, and 6 - 7 strokes along each bevel will bring your edge back quickly and effectively.



5. Oil your tool
To protect your tools we recommend you coat the blades with a thin layer of protective oil. We use Camelia Oil for this, as it is an ancid free versatile light oil made from pure natural plant product mixed with mineral oil, and is specifically designed for the preservation of hand tools.

 

Check out our products to help keep your tools in top condition:

Tools sharpening and maintenance