ARS Care & Maintenance
Clean, sharp pruning tools — shears, loppers, saws, or hedge shears — deliver a cleaner, more professional cut while promoting healthier plants and more comfortable work. A few minutes of care keeps your ARS tools performing for years.
A sharp tool causes minimal damage to stems and branches, helps plants heal faster, lowers the risk of bacterial and fungal infection, and takes less effort to use. A clean tool prevents the spread of infection between plants and extends tool life by preventing rust and mechanical wear.
After every use
- Wipe blades clean of sap and plant debris with a cloth.
- Finish with an oiled rag to displace moisture and prevent rust.
- Apply a drop of light oil to the pivot and moving parts.
- Periodically check and tighten the pivot bolt to keep proper blade tension.
Recommended ARS care products
GO-1 — Blade Cleaner 100 ml GO-5 — Blade Cleaner 500 ml
Sharpen whenever cutting performance drops. A keen edge cuts cleaner, protects the plant, and takes less effort. The golden rule: always follow the blade's original bevel angle — never flatten or reshape the edge.
How to sharpen
Clean the blade first.
Work the stone along the existing bevel in smooth, even strokes, from base to tip.
Sharpen only the beveled side; lightly deburr the flat side.
Wipe clean and apply a drop of oil before storing.
Choosing the right ARS sharpener
9F-10 — Saw sharpener, for tri-edge pull saws
SD-100-BT — Foldable diamond, shears & loppers
SD-95-PN — Three-sided diamond, field use
It comes down to cutting height.
Curved saws are best for branches at shoulder height or above. The curve pulls naturally into the wood for an aggressive, fast cut with excellent control on vertical or angled branches — more work, less effort.
Straight saws are best for branches at waist height or below, where controlled, even strokes give a cleaner, more precise finish. Ideal for detailed and shaping cuts.
Most professionals carry both: curved for speed and power, straight for precision and finish — so the right saw always matches the cutting position and branch thickness.
