How can I sharpen my garden shears?

I seriously don't know how you could possibly do it without rasp, file bench grinder. Maybe appeal to a well equipped neighbor, friend?

You can sharpen the shears with sandpaper, but you are basically just removing burrs and such without really putting a fine edge on the blade. Don't hold the sandpaper in your hand unless you are wearing a heavy leather glove. Ideally you could place the sandpaper on a piece of wood and

use it to perfect the bevel. It might hold you over, especially if you work with the bevel and remove any burrs.

But if the blade is chipped or looks like the plants have been fighting back, then you need a rasp or file or sharpening stone. Or you just may need to bite the bullet and buy a new pair of shears. Shears that aren't sharp make more work for you and can be dangerous.

So let's be honest, you should probably invest in a sharpening stone, a specialized sharpener http://www.gardenersedge.com/multi-sharp-pruner-and-lopper-guided-sharpener/p/MS1601/?kc=geshop17n,&mkwid=shG4L98zh|dc&pcrid=60345006416&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&prd=MS1601&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIibfYqZXl1gIVh7rACh39agXuEAQYAiABEgJ8jfD_BwE or https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/accusharp-reg-gardensharp-tool-sharpener/1040042657?skuId=40042657&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_outdoorutility_online&product_id=40042657&adtype=pla_multichannel&product_channel=online&adpos=1o3&creative=223916112913&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&mrkgadid=558412937&mrkgcl=609&rkg_id=h-09fc358809851b09665fb00137e9e1dd_t-1507608072&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIibfYqZXl1gIVh7rACh39agXuEAQYAyABEgKbJfD_BwE or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BPASBK/ref=asc_df_B000BPASBK5208486/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B000BPASBK&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194953585597&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1412827075082264122&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021556&hvtargid=pla-314017181934

Without any tools I'm not sure. Perhaps you could take it to your local hardware store for advice.

Put in triplacate pieces of aluminum foil, and take the shears and cut the aluminum, this should do the job.

Thanks, folks! I'll go the cheapest route first and try foil. I actually have an electric shears that's still new in the box. Plus a curved blade branch trimmer. But I have two pairs of shears I can't see go neglected. The kindest thing would probably be to give them to the man who cuts our lawn so he can get them back into shape And use them. But once a year my husband uses one pair to cut down the one tall stem that grows outside our window and hits it during storms. I'll give it one try first. 😇💞