Storage and general care
- Keep tools clean and dry. Carry a rag with you in wet weather to wipe them off, particularly the handles, which become slippery if wet or muddy. Clean tools after use by scraping mud off and washing blades.
- Oil all metal parts before storing to prevent them rusting. Wipe wooden handles with linseed oil when new and occasionally thereafter, to prevent them drying out.
- When transporting tools, always ensure the safety of your passengers is not compromised. In crew buses, transport tools in the boxes provided beneath the vehicle seats or use trailers where practical. Roof racks should not be used for heavy tools or stacked above 300mm high. The maximum roofrack storage weight should never exceed 100kg.
Wrap edged tools in sacking or provide individual guards, both for safety and to prevent them damaging each other. Tools should always be secured to prevent excessive movement if the vehicle stops suddenly. - Clean and lubricate hand winches with gear oil at the end of the project.
Sharpening edged tools
This covers the sharpening of tools in the field. For further details on filing and grinding, saw maintenance and replacing hafts and handles, see Tool care.
- Sharpen tools at least twice a day when in use, or more often as necessary. Grass hooks and scythes need very frequent sharpening, and a quick touch-up every ten minutes is not excessive.
- Carry the correct whetstone for the tool. Fine cylindrical stones are needed for grass hooks and scythes. These and canoe-shaped stones can be used on billhooks and slashers. Canoe-shaped or flat rectangular stones are best for axes. Oval axe-stones can be dangerous as they are difficult to hold.
- Stones are fragile. Wrap them and carry separately from the tools.
- Always wear a glove on the hand holding the sharpening stone. Place the tool on a firm surface such as a stump, with the edge projecting. Wet the stone to create a paste which grinds the metal. Astone used dry is quickly worn away. Hold the stone at an angle conforming to the existing taper of the blade. If using a combination stone, use the coarse side first to eliminate any flaws and give an edge, and then use the fine side to give a good polish and even taper. Sharpen with small circular motions. Take particular care to sharpen the hooked part of the billhook, as this does most of the cutting work.
- Do not touch the blade to see if it is sharp. Sight along the edge, and you should see a uniform taper with no light reflected from the edge. Any reflected light indicates a dull spot which needs further sharpening.
