Frequently Asked Questions
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What types of tools and equipment do you sharpen?
We sharpen a large variety of woodworking, industrial, and specialty tools. We sharpen most types of saw blades, including steel and carbide-tipped saw blades, triple chip blades, and skill saw blades. We can sharpen steel planer knives, carbide planer knives, and chipper blades. Additionally, we can sharpen small hand tools, like hand block planers, wood chisels, knives, and industrial shears.
For arborists and landscapers, we can sharpen hedge shears, mulching blades, lawn mower blades, axes, and chainsaw chains.
We cannot sharpen saw blades bigger than 30" in diameter, band saw blades, handsaw blades, or hacksaw blades.
If there's something you need sharpened that isn't on this list, give us a call because we may still be able to sharpen it!
What sizes of saw blades can you sharpen?
We can sharpen most sizes from standard woodworking shops, blades less than 30" in diameter. On blades less than 30" in diameter, we can sharpen any amount of teeth on the blade.
We cannot sharpen saw blades bigger than 30" in diameter.
Can you replace carbide tips on saw blades?
Yes, carbide tips on saw blades can be repaired. We offer tip replacement for an additional fee. The most common sizes of tips are kept on hand, but if an uncommon size is needed that we do not have, then turnaround time may be extended by 3-4 business days.
For heavily damaged saw blades that require several tip replacements, we often call to make sure you still want to move forward with the tip replacements because large quantities of tip replacements may not always be economical.
Can I mail my tools to you for sharpening?
Absolutely, we accept mail-in orders from all 50 states. Follow the instructions for packing your tools on pg. 2 of the mail-in order form or visit our article on mailing in for trades tools.
What happens after my tools get there?
Every blade is professionally cleaned, inspected, and sharpened. We use a Thorvie AV-40 to sharpen each tool, allowing for accurate tooth geometry, consistent angles, and balanced cutting performance. Damaged or missing carbide tips on saw blades are replaced when practical.
Our goal is to restore clean cutting performance while extending the usable life of your blades. Saw blades are closely inspected and measured within a thousandth of an inch after sharpening to ensure it meets performance standards. This includes checking tooth sharpness, consistency, balance, and overall cutting integrity.
Each tool is handled individually to ensure precise results. If a tool does not perform as expected within 30 days after service, it can be re-evaluated and corrected at no additional charge.
Once sharpening or repair is complete, a pay link is texted to the phone number on file to pay over the phone or online at your convenience; business clients will receive an email invoice or a phone call.
After payment, blades are carefully packaged and prepared for return shipping or scheduled pickup. Mail-in orders are shipped back promptly to minimize downtime, while local customers can arrange pickup or delivery during the next service route.
Turnaround times vary depending on order size and service needs, but we strive to keep the process efficient, predictable, and well communicated.
Saw Blade Sharpening & Repair
Why are some saw blades priced differently to sharpen?
Carbide saw blades are always face-ground, but the top-grind is not always necessary. When the top-grind is necessary, this increases the sharpening time needed because each tooth is individually ground on the specified angle. For cheaper blades it is not always economical to top-grind if the face-grind is good enough because otherwise you may exceed the cost of the blade itself in sharpening work.
Because of the tooth design on triple chip blades, it requires three different angles of top-grind. This means every other tooth on the blade must go through three different angles for sharpening, and an additional angle for the face grind. The more teeth a blade has and the more angles the blade needs to be sharpened at, the more time-intensive it is to sharpen.
Alternate bevel blades have two different angles on the top grind and the angle for the face-grind, which results in more time to sharpen than the face-ground only blade but less time than a triple chip blade.
What does "face grind only" mean?
"Face grind only" means you only grind the inside front of the tooth. The reason you would only face grind a blade is because it is not always economical to take the time to grind a second angle on every tooth for a cheaper blade like a Skil saw blade. Often the performance of these blades can be improved with just a face grind.
When is carbide tip replacement worth it?
For cheaper saw blades that require many tips to be replaced, replacement is generally not advised because sharpening and repair should never exceed the price of the original blade.
For specialty blades that are more expensive, replacement of tips is generally the smarter option since the tip replacement is often cheaper than buying a new blade.
When many tips need replaced, you may receive a call from a technician with an estimate of the teeth needing replaced and a quote for the cost of the tip replacement. This is always an estimate and the final cost may be slightly different.
Can a chipped or damaged saw blade be repaired?
Carbide tips can be replaced and some minor chips can be sharpened out. Damage to the steel casting of the blade (including missing entire teeth, warping, cracks, etc.) are considered too extensive to be handled by our shop.
Should I sharpen my saw blade or replace it?
In most cases, a saw blade can be sharpened several times before replacement is necessary. Sharpening is often a good option when the blade is otherwise in good condition, has enough material remaining to restore the teeth properly, and the cost of sharpening is significantly less than replacing the blade.
Replacement may make more sense when a blade is severely damaged, has extensive missing or broken teeth, has been worn down substantially, is cracked or otherwise unsafe, or when the cost of restoring it approaches the cost of a new blade. Some specialty blades may also be more economical to replace depending on their construction and availability.
We inspect blades before sharpening and will let you know if we believe a particular blade is not worth sharpening. If you're unsure, bring it in and we'll help you compare the cost and expected life of sharpening versus replacement.
How do I know when my saw blade needs sharpening?
Signs your blade needs sharpened may include burning wood, chipping out the bottom of your cut, damaging the material outside of the cut, or cutting noticeably slower than expected.
Sometimes when your blade begins performing poorly, the blades may just be too dirty from pitch and need to be cleaned. If cleaning does not work, you likely need sharpening.
Reference our tool care guide to keep your blades running well between sharpenings and avoid unnecessary trips to the sharpener.
How are saw blades professionally sharpened?
Professional saw blades are sharpened using precision grinding equipment designed for the specific type and construction of the blade. The sharpening process removes a controlled amount of material from the cutting surfaces to restore the teeth to their proper geometry, rather than simply grinding the tips until they are sharp.
Depending on the blade, we use appropriate grinding wheels, abrasives, and equipment to match the blade's material and tooth design. Carbide-tipped blades, for example, require a different approach from blades with conventional steel teeth. The goal is to restore the original cutting geometry while removing as little material as practical, helping preserve the blade's useful life and cutting performance.
Lawn, Garden & Arborist Equipment
Can you sharpen electric and cordless hedge trimmer blades?
Yes, we can sharpen electric and cordless hedge trimmer blades. Please remove your blade from your trimmer prior to bringing it to the shop.
Do I need to bring in the entire hedge trimmer?
No, we prefer you remove your hedge trimmer blade prior to bringing it to the shop. If we need to remove the blade from the hedge trimmer, we charge a $25 removal fee.
What lawn, garden, and arborist equipment can you sharpen?
We sharpen a variety of lawn, garden, and arborist cutting equipment, from everyday yard tools to professional outdoor equipment. This includes lawn mower and mulching blades, electric hedge trimmer blades, hedge shears, pruning shears, and loppers, as well as axes, hatchets, shovels, spades, and machetes.
We also sharpen chainsaw chains and wood chipper blades for arborists and other professional users. Some equipment requires specialized sharpening methods or equipment, so the exact service can depend on the tool's construction and condition.
Not sure whether we can sharpen your outdoor equipment? Contact us with the make, model, or a photo of the tool and we'll be happy to let you know.
Can I send in equipment that isn't listed on your pricing page?
Absolutely, just give us a call or use a contact form to double check that we can sharpen what you need before you mail out or drop off. We have a large array of sharpening machines, so we can sharpen most things, often including very specialized equipment. Generally, the tool just needs to have a removable blade or the blade is visible and unobstructed.
It can be helpful if you text or email us a photo of your equipment to help us determine if it is something we can sharpen.
Specialty Equipment
Can you sharpen meat grinder blades and plates?
Yes, we can sharpen meat grinder blades and plates. We use a flat granite block with loose grit or wet/dry sandpaper.
Can you sharpen grain mill blades?
Sometimes. We can sharpen Wiley Mill blades, but if you have a different kind of grain mill blade, give us a call to see if we can sharpen it!
Do you sharpen other specialty or industrial cutting equipment?
Call ahead to see if we can sharpen your specialty equipment. We have a large array of sharpening equipment, so we can often find a machine that will work to sharpen your highly specialized or unique tools.
Some specialty equipment we have sharpened in the past include: bull-nose cutters, Wiley mill blades, extra large shaper cutters, and hogging cutter assemblies/segment hogger assemblies.
It can be helpful if you text or email us a photo of your equipment to help us determine if it is something we can sharpen.
General Sharpening & Service Questions
What happens during the sharpening process?
Every tool is inspected before sharpening to determine its condition, cutting geometry, and the appropriate sharpening method. We clean the tool as needed and select the equipment, abrasives, and sharpening technique based on the tool's material, edge design, and intended use.
During sharpening, we carefully remove worn or damaged material and restore the cutting edge to the appropriate geometry. Depending on the tool, this may involve precision grinding, honing, polishing, belt grinding, or hand work. Some tools may also require additional repair or adjustment before they can be properly sharpened.
After sharpening, the tool is inspected and tested whenever appropriate to make sure the edge is functioning as intended. Our goal is not simply to make a tool sharp, but to restore its cutting performance while removing as little material as reasonably possible and preserving the useful life of the tool.
How do I know whether a tool is worth sharpening?
A tool is generally worth sharpening when the cutting edge is worn or dull but the tool itself is still in good structural condition. The value of sharpening depends on several factors, including the condition of the tool, how much material remains, the cost of sharpening compared with replacement, the quality and durability of the original tool, and whether a comparable replacement is readily available.
High-quality professional or specialty tools are often particularly good candidates for sharpening because replacing them can be considerably more expensive than maintaining the tool you already own. Older or discontinued tools may also be worth sharpening when finding a suitable replacement is difficult.
On the other hand, a very inexpensive tool, severely damaged tool, or tool that has reached the end of its usable life may not be economical to restore. If you're unsure whether something is worth sharpening, ask us before replacing it. We can evaluate its condition and help you decide whether sharpening or replacement makes more sense.
What happens if my tool cannot be sharpened?
Always call ahead for specialty tools to ensure we can sharpen them before you mail in or drop off. For standard tools that arrive damaged, the tools will be sent back with an X to indicate they have been condemned, are unable to be sharpened, and are unsafe to use.
Some tools that are just heavily chipped or dented may still be able to be repaired with removing a large amount of material. This does shorten the life of your tool but may be necessary in some cases.
How long does sharpening take?
Turnaround times vary depending on order size and service needs, but we strive to keep the process efficient, predictable, and well communicated. Secure handling and clear scheduling help ensure your tools are returned safely and ready to work.
Can I mail tools to you from anywhere in the United States?
Yes. Customers from around the country can mail eligible tools to Precision Sharpening & More for professional sharpening. This includes Hawaii and Alaska.
Do you guarantee your work or offer resharpening if I am not satisfied?
Of course. We stand by our sharpening and testing methods and we know that sometimes our results in shop are not perfectly indicative of performance in a working environment under heavy use.
Notify us of any piece of equipment that is not performing as expected within one month and we will resharpen or service again at no additional charge. Any further replacement parts will be billed as usual unless our shop is responsible for damage.
Do you offer rush or expedited sharpening services?
Yes, an expedited service is provided at the normal service cost plus 30%. Depending on other rush orders, same-day service or 24-48hr turnaround is available, not including shipping time.
Sometimes for very large orders, it may take longer than the 24-48hr turnaround, but your rush order will be bumped to the start of the queue and will be completed as soon as possible.
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Contact Information
Send Us A Message
How to reach us:
Phone: 208-701-9191
Email: jordan@precisionsharpening.net
Address: 1044 N 1100 E, Shelley, ID 83274
For Mail in
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1044 N 1100 E, Shelley, ID 83274
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P.O. Box 495, Shelley, ID 83274
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Tuesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
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Saturday: by appointment only
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