That is a very interesting product, Ann - thank you for the link. I could use that block on my Felco blades and some other tools around the house as well. (Of course, I'm going to wait to do that total clean up on the pruners until *after* I cut the sticky evergreen boughs I'll be needing for holiday decorating a few weeks from now.)

Great tip and very timely! :-)

Anne

Ann, thanks for the recommendation. Which sandblock did you buy?

Sue

I bought the fine block.
This is the place where I order the big sanding pads for DH to use on redoing our sailboat's hull, so there'll be more orders. This was just an add on to an order that had to go out fast to get here in time....
Next time I'll order the mixed set with different grits.
(And I buy the bulk boxes of mixed sandpaper from these folks. The quality is superb and the backings are so much stronger than anything I've ever been able to buy locally.)

Next project will be my Grandmother's bread knife, the old fashioned steel one with seriously serrated edge but which still cuts well, but no longer looks so good. And the oriental chopping knive I've had for decades. And my big loppers.

Thanks Ann, I need to order one of those!

Carol

LOL - some of us are putting the pruners away, others are just getting ready to go. Serious pruning season in Sacramento is on the horizon, from mid-Dec to mid-Feb. We're already doing some preliminary work. Sometimes I think it would be nice to live where there is a winter break - gardening every day of the year is just not natural!
Anita

Ann, what a great post. We used my grandfather's old whetstone. NO telling how many knives, scissors, etc., he ketp tuned up with it. I remember him sitting for hours and keeping my grandmother's scissors (she was quite the seamstress) and her kitchen knives (best cook in the world) sharp. A symbiotic relationship. She never had to ask him, he just knew what needed to be done.

DH has something he puts on his Dremel and makes them look good as new.

I'm grateful he has assigned himself the task of taking good care of my Felcos (he gave them to me), but I COULD do without the lecture when I abuse them :-)

I still am amazed at the wear they will take and still be functional. I used to go through 5 or 6 pairs of Home Depot pruners a season.

Maybe for Christmas I'll give us a pair of the loppers. A lot of roses are getting into lopper territory now :-)

Ah yes, the love of tools. I too appreciate good pruners, kitchen knives, etc. You folks are reminding me that I could use a good pair of loppers. My Felcos I owe to my gardener sister, bless her heart.

Pruning begins in December here, too. I'm looking forward to getting out those old canes and disciplining the climbers.

Melissa