Sharpening Multitool-Style Wood Saws, Hacksaws, and Maintaining Files?

[flybri]

ok.. this might seem like a stupid question, but so far, I haven't found anything about this topic and I was wondering if the answer was somehow obvious to everyone... here goes...

how does one sharpen a short multitool saw, like the small ones found on SAKs? is it possible to do it with a sharpmaker? do they need sharpening, or are you supposed to replace them (and where does one get a replacement for that matter?)

on a similar note, what kind of maintenance is necessary for the hacksaws found in multitools? are you supposed to maintain the ragged edge somehow?

and i notice that the high-surface area of the files on these things seems to make it rust quite easily... is there an easy way to remove it?

wow.. that was a flurry of questions.. thanks =)

 

[hardheart]

I don't know of any way to sharpen the saws. I also don't know what you mean by hacksaws on multitools, unless you're talking about the Gerber that takes replaceable blades, I remove rust with a wire brush or fiberglass pen.

 

[Gryffin]

Those saws are actually pretty easy to sharpen, once you realize that it's the sides of the teeth that do the cutting. Just stone the flat sides of the saw, being sure to keep the sides FLAT to the stone.

If you're really a glutton for punishment, there are stones available that let you sharpen between the teeth, but personally I've never had a need to do so.

The metal saws on SAKs or multitools are really just very narrow files. I don't think it's practical to sharpen them.

As for files, they seem to vary quite a bit; Victorinox chrome-plates theirs, which should deter rust (at least, until the chrome peels!); Gerber files rust if you just look at them funny; Leatherman and SOG files can discolor with use, but I've never had one rust. Best of all, the Leatherman diamond files: I'm continually amazed at what it can cut, and how fast it does so!

Check your local hardware store for a file brush. It's usually a wooden panel with stiff steel bristles, which will clean out the teeth of a file pretty easily.