These are some old tools sadly in need of love that we found in the potting shed. The important thing with all tools is to look after them, cleaning and sharpening them at least once a year.
The spade on the right as had some loving atttention
It is important to brush off dirt after each use if possible before storing. Ideally you have an old can sunken in the ground outside your pooting shed which is filled with sand and old oil that you can push your tools in to clean and oil them
Attach the tools with a vice to a workbench, allowing both hands to be free.  Brush the dirt off. Then if the tool is very rusty use a wire cut brush (a drill attachment) to remove the rust. 
Sharpening tools. If the tool needs sharpening use a file. There are different grades of file so you may need to use a coarser one (a second cut files) to start and then a finer one (a single cut), depending how sharp you want the tool to be. F
If you think the tool is sharp enough, then wipe a thin layer of tung or linseed oil using a cloth or fingers, ensuring you wipe it off after a couple of minutes, leaving just a thin layer as it dries almost like a glue.
The almost glue-like nature of tung oil is why you should not use tung oil on tools with moving parts eg shears. It is better to use linseed oil on these
There is something deeply satisfying having rows of tools hung in the potting shed waiting patiently for their time in the sun. Now our challenge is to try and look after them!  Watch this space as our obsession may mean we have tools to sell
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