ARS sharpeners – for saws and for pruning shears
The most important thing to know in this category: saws and pruning shears take different sharpeners. Saw teeth need a hardened steel file with a special profile, while the plain cutting edge of a pair of shears needs a diamond-surfaced sharpener. Buying the wrong type is a common mistake. Clean the blade with the ARS GO-1 blade cleaner before sharpening.
The three ARS sharpeners
| Sharpener | For | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARS 9F-10 | Saw teeth | Hardened steel file, wooden handle | 220 mm |
| ARS SD-100-BT | Pruning shears, knives | Diamond, double-sided (360 and 600) | 230 mm (127 mm folded) |
| ARS SD-95-PN | Pruning shears, knives | Diamond, three-sided, retractable | 220 mm |
Why diamond for pruning shears?
Electroplated diamond grit on a stainless steel base does not wear unevenly, needs no water or oil, and bites into the hard chrome-plated ARS blades that a softer stone would simply slide over.
SD-100-BT or SD-95-PN?
The ARS SD-100-BT is double-sided with two grits: the coarse 360 side restores a worn edge, the fine 600 side finishes it. That two-stage sequence gets you close to a factory edge. The ARS SD-95-PN is three-sided and retractable: the triangular cross-section reaches edges at different angles, an advantage on curved blades, and at 75 grams it is the lightest sharpener.
Important: impulse-hardened teeth cannot be sharpened
Several ARS saws have impulse-hardened teeth, which extends edge life several times over. The trade-off is that these teeth cannot be re-sharpened, because the hardened layer is very thin. On those models, replacing the blade is the correct answer when the teeth wear, not filing them. On those models, replacing the blade is the correct answer. The affected saws state this on their product pages.
Clean before sharpening
Dried resin clogs the diamond surface and reduces the effectiveness of sharpening. Wipe the blade with the ARS GO-1 blade cleaner first. For storing the tool, the pruning shears case is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Which sharpener do I need for my pruning shears?
A diamond one: the ARS SD-100-BT or the ARS SD-95-PN. The ARS 9F-10 file, made for saws, is not suitable for pruning shears.
Which side should I use on the double-sided sharpener?
Start with the coarse 360 side to restore the worn edge, then finish and polish with the fine 600 side.
Does a diamond sharpener need water or oil?
No, it is used dry. Do clean resin off the blade before sharpening, though.
