I have a hoe thats been in my family 30+ years and wanted to share with you how to keep the edge in great shape while not losing "the meat" of the blade. My father showed me how having a bead welded along the edge of a cutting blade by an experienced welder provides for a stronger edge for sharpening that withstands nicks much better than the stock steel of the tool. A good weld bead on the edge will stand up to sharpening for 2 or 3 seasons on a hoe before it requires redressing.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 20, 2000

Answers

Thank you I'm going to give it a try - do you think it would work on a shovel, also? Thanks again!

-- Anncat (AnnCats42@Yahoo.com), August 26, 2000.

I don't see why it wouldn't work on a shovel also. When Dad showed me, it was to get more life out of our rider mower blades, then I tried it on our hoes. Not only am I saving my old favorite, the cheapo Mexican made one ( $7.00 at the local garden center) is holding up as good as U.S. made. As I said before, the secret is someone able to weld a proffessional bead. My welder charges me $3.00 a edge, money well spent.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 27, 2000.

a good place to go is a welding shop in a farm town. They have a way to apply "Hard-Facing" to plows & discs & such which makes them last almost forever. They can weld a bead on the edge of your hoe & grind it sharp. It isn't cheap, but certainly worth the price in the long run.

-- tom campbell (tjcamp@aol.com), August 31, 2000.