On Sat, 29 May 2004 11:23:37 -0500, Brigitte J. wrote:

After reading all of the advise in this thread, I decided to purchase a
stirrup/hula hoe. Someone mentioned sharpening it. The one I purchased,
and all the ones I looked at were not at all sharp. Rather dull and more
of a rounded surface. Is this how they are intended to be? Seems it
would work much better if it were sharp. I should I sharpen it? I have a
large file, would that work?

I sharpen all my weeders and shovels. To sharpen the hula hoe, flat
sharpen the bottom of the tool and angle sharpen the inside edge of the
tool. Do not give the tools too sharp of an edge. This will only dull with
use and the thin edge will chip and bend. I also suggest that you sharpen
your shovels. A light edge on the schoop side of the shovel will make it a
lot easier to dig with.