Alpo Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 You have a flat blade (or, if you prefer, a square point) shovel. You plan to slide it along your driveway, cutting off the grass that has grown up through the expansion joint. Logically if the front edge of the shovel is sharp, it will cut better. So you get out your handy dandy file and prepare to sharpen the edge. Since this is not an ax, you do not want to sharpen it from both sides. Which side would be best to sharpen it from? Sharpening from the back of the shovel would certainly be easier, but it seems to me that sharpening from the front of the shovel would place the edge where it needs to be. It also seems like sharpening from the front side would be a easy way to cut your hand. So, boys and girls, which side should you sharpen it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I’ve always sharpened my shovels from the back, it’s easier to file but usually I introduce it to the 6” belt sander because it’s more expedient. And if that’s wrong I don’t wanna be right. On a hoe I’ll do the front for the same reason, it’s just easier to get at with the belt sander 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I’m thinking that when you slide it on the driveway you are going to get a bevel on the backside anyway, might as well sharpen that side first. But you will ding it pretty quickly either way. I would spray the cracks with herbicide and go relax. 4 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Truthfully, I don't think it really matters that much. Just sharpen it . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 1 minute ago, J-BAR #18287 said: I’m thinking that when you slide it on the driveway you are going to get a bevel on the backside anyway, might as well sharpen that side first. But you will ding it pretty quickly either way. I would spray the cracks with herbicide and go relax. For a driveway my 2 weapons have always been kills everything for the cracks and a weed wacker for edging 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Devil Dale Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I know that sharpening from the back makes a much better snake chopper (the real reason the flat blade was invented). Most people think the flat shovel was invented for shoveling railroad ties level, but they're wrong. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Just now, Dusty Devil Dale said: I know that sharpening from the back makes a much better snake chopper (the real reason the flat blade was invented). Most people think the flat shovel was invented for shoveling railroad ties level, but they're wrong. I just pound the snot out of rattlers, the edge doesn't matter for that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 File or grind the inside, then make a couple of passes across the back to remove the burr. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I wouldn't bother. It's a "Shovel" not a grass cutter. Your "best" appliance for the job is a String Trimmer with heavy "string." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 The left side. Depending on which way you face it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Sackett Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I’d sharpen the back side. As already mentioned, the back side will wear and create the “chisel” if you sharpen the front. I sharpen hoes and shovels as a general rule anyway. Makes them work easier. Sam Sackett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 6 minutes ago, Dirty Dan Dawkins said: The left side. Depending on which way you face it. E tool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, J-BAR #18287 said: I would spray the cracks with herbicide and go relax That's a not bad idea, if all I wanted was to clean out the crack. But I have some low spots in the yard, and I figured if I cut the grass and dirt that's growing up out of the driveway off, I could use it to fill the low spots. Save me from buying fill dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Lizard Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Is there a difference if you are left or right handed??? Texas Lizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Texas Lizard said: Is there a difference if you are left or right handed??? Texas Lizard I was told it was if you are north or south of the equator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Lizard Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 59 minutes ago, Buckshot Bob said: I was told it was if you are north or south of the equator Any difference with the international date line??? Like East West.... Texas Lizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Jack Calder Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 4 hours ago, Dusty Devil Dale said: I know that sharpening from the back makes a much better snake chopper (the real reason the flat blade was invented). Most people think the flat shovel was invented for shoveling railroad ties level, but they're wrong. This reminds me of the time I came home and my wife said “You need to go out back and talk to Vince. He said he killed a Rattlesnake in the backyard and is really upset. Now Vince was a bachelor who had bought the house that backed up to our yard. He was a city boy originally from Ireland. Vince had never lived in a country village so he was not used to snakes. So I went out to talk to him. Vince showed me where he had killed the “ Rattlesnake”. There I found 1 inch pieces of a hapless Garter snake. Apparently Vince had used a shovel to chop the innocent Garter snake into mincemeat. After I settled Vince down and assured him that Rattlesnakes were not going take over the neighborhood he promised not to chop up any more Garter snakes. CJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 21 minutes ago, Texas Lizard said: Any difference with the international date line??? Like East West.... Texas Lizard I guess that’s the difference between starting to sharpen from the right or left edge of the shovel. So the shovel will pull right or left when inserted in the earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 13 hours ago, Rip Snorter said: E tool? Ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 On 2/26/2023 at 3:05 PM, Alpo said: You have a flat blade (or, if you prefer, a square point) shovel. You plan to slide it along your driveway, cutting off the grass that has grown up through the expansion joint. Logically if the front edge of the shovel is sharp, it will cut better. So you get out your handy dandy file and prepare to sharpen the edge. Since this is not an ax, you do not want to sharpen it from both sides. Which side would be best to sharpen it from? Sharpening from the back of the shovel would certainly be easier, but it seems to me that sharpening from the front of the shovel would place the edge where it needs to be. It also seems like sharpening from the front side would be a easy way to cut your hand. So, boys and girls, which side should you sharpen it from? The right. I'm a right kind of guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 That's a transfer shovel not a trenching shovel. Angle from the scoop down so when you run it along the ground it slides smooth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Lizard Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 12 minutes ago, Texas Joker said: That's a transfer shovel not a trenching shovel. Angle from the scoop down so when you run it along the ground it slides smooth. Sounds like a man who has spent much using one... Texas Lizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Proper tool for the job and yes I know my way around a shovel handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I am real good at using the handle as a prop , while watching others use em CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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