How to Sharpen a Japanese Sickle – An In-Depth Guide

Don’t settle for a dull sickle. Not only will your work be easier and more enjoyable with a sharp tool, but you’ll feel great satisfaction in knowing how to maintain your own tools.

In this video I’ll show you step by step how to take a dull sickle and make it sharp again.

This is a fairly long, in-depth guide, so feel free to use the table of contents to skip around.

You can purchase a Japanese sickle here: https://thetoolmerchants.com/store/garden-tools/japanese-sickle/

Find our two sided water stone here: https://thetoolmerchants.com/store/shop-and-tool-care/sharpening-tools/1801000-grit-compact-sharpening-stone/

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Table of Contents:

01:33 – Rust Erasing Block
04:02 – Marking Bevel
04:53 – Sharpening Begins
08:18 – Feeling for a Burr
12:52 – Sharpening Standing Up
14:24 – 2nd Pass with 1000 Grit Stone
17:36 – Why Sharpen the Whole Bevel?
19:30 – Removing the Burr
20:51 – Stropping With Your Pants
22:15 – How do you know when it's sharp
23:02 – Other Sharpening Options
24:05 – Diamond Stone
24:47 – Ceramic Stone
25:04 – Carbide File
26:13 – Mill File
26:42 – Blade and Handle Care