Learn how to sharpen scissors! They are one of those tools that everyone has in their home. Something that can be used for so many different things. Not only can they help you cut through a variety of materials, but they are also useful around the home. As part of the upkeep, you need to know how to do you sharpen scissors.
How to Sharpen Scissors at Home Tutorial
Whenever you have a dull blade, your mind may wonder if you can sharpen scissors at home or if you're better off having someone else do this work for you. There are many services available in the market that sharpen scissors for you, and while convenient, they can be pretty costly. Sharpening scissors at home is not very hard to do.
Can you Sharpen Scissors?
Absolutely, scissors can be sharpened. Like all cutting tools, they can become dull with use. When it comes to sharpening scissors at home, it is a relatively easy job to do. You will need to be careful as you are working with an object that will get sharper as you work on it, so be cautious.
Both at home and in-store, you can find a variety of sharpeners that can help you bring your scissors back to life.
There are many different things around the house that you can use as a quick fix to sharpen your scissors. It will also save you the money that you will spend on buying a sharpener.
Sharpening Scissors 3 Ways
1. How to Sharpen Scissors with a Knife Sharpener
You don’t have to buy specially designed scissor sharpeners to get your scissors to come back to life. You can also use kitchen knife sharpeners to get the job done.
Scissor sharpeners are designed to sharpen both blades at the same time but are limited in their use. Knife sharpeners, on the other hand, will be able to sharpen a lot of different tools and won’t cost as much. You probably even have one already in your kitchen drawers.
Some knife sharpeners actually have an extra slot for sharpening scissors, so look at the labels on your sharpener carefully.
Keep in mind that you can only use a knife sharpener with flat-edged scissors. You will have to use another method for pinking shears which has a serrated edge.
Here's a step-by-step guide to sharpening scissors with a knife sharpener:
SAFETY FIRST: Make sure you are being safe when sharpening. Don't put your fingers anywhere near the sharpener slot. Beware of where the scissor blades are as well, and don't cut yourself.
- Clean the Scissors: Start by cleaning the scissors to remove any dirt, dust, or rust that may have accumulated, ensuring a smooth sharpening process. Use warm soapy water and dry them completely afterward to avoid any rust.
- Separate the Blades: See if your scissors can be separated into two pieces, as this will make it easier to run the blades through the sharpener.
- Prepare the Knife Sharpener: If you have a handheld knife sharpener, position it on a stable surface, holding it firmly in one hand. If it has a handle, make sure to keep your fingers away from the sharpening slots.
- Sharpening Process: Position the inside edge of the scissor blade in the knife sharpener slot. Starting from the base (near the handle), pull the blade through the sharpener towards the tip. The number of times you do this will depend on how dull your scissors are, but around 10-15 passes should do the job. Do this with medium pressure and make sure you are being safe and in control.
- Repeat for Other Blade: Repeat the above process with the other cutting edge blade of the scissors.
- Reassemble: If you separated your scissors blades, put them back together and tighten the screw.
- Test: Test the sharpness by cutting through a sheet of paper. If it cuts cleanly, you've done well. If not, you may need to repeat the sharpening process.
- Clean Again: After sharpening, there may be small metal filings on the blades of your scissors. Wipe them clean with a damp cloth, then dry them thoroughly.
2. Sharpening Scissors with Household Items
If you want a quick fix for your dull scissors, there are many objects around the house that you can use when learning how to sharpen scissors.
How to Sharpen Scissors with Aluminum Foil
Some aluminum foil from your kitchen can help you sharpen your blades. Just use your scissors and cut across the tin foil, do this on both sides, and the blade should be a lot less dull. For really dull blades, fold the tin foil so it is several layers thick and then cut through.
How to Sharpen Scissors with Sharpening Stones
Sharpening stones are generally used for tools and knives and are readily available at hardware stores. Lubricate the sharpening stone with water or oil and then run the blades across the stone. Most stones have fine grit on one side and harsher grit on the other. Which side you use will depend on how blunt your scissors are.
How to Sharpen Scissors with Sandpaper
You can also use some leftover sandpaper in the same way as the tin foil. Cut through the sandpaper several times. Medium-grit sandpaper works best. Sandpaper is also good for removing any rust on the blades.
How to Sharpen Scissors with Steel Wool
Cut through the steel wool several times and use it to clean the blades. This is also good for removing any rust or debris that has accumulated on your scissors.
After sharpening with any of the methods above, use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the blades. This will remove any residue or grit that remains.
3. How to Sharpen Scissors Commercially
Sharpening scissors at home can sometimes be a lot of effort, and if that is something you don't want to do or if you would rather not risk any damage to your blades, you can get it sharpened professionally.
You can take your scissors to a lot of different stores or use sharpening services all from the comfort of your home. This way of sharpening your scissors will cost a pretty penny, but it does save you a lot of time and effort if you have a lot of scissors that need to be sharpened.
How to Sharpen Scissors In-Store
There are many arts and crafts stores, as well as home improvement stores, that offer sharpening services. You can also go to smaller specialty stores that have the equipment needed to sharpen the scissors.
This works especially well if you have these types of stores somewhere near your home, and it will also save time since you literally have to drop them off in the morning and pick up your good-as-new scissors in the evening.
Scissor Sharpening with Specialty Services
If there are no stores around you offering scissor sharpening services, there are many sharpening services that you can make use of.
You just have to send your scissors to the address provided and wait for your sharp scissors to be sent back within no time. This will cost a little extra as you will have to pay for the delivery and shipping fees, but it is the most convenient option in the market.
4. Scissor Sharpening with Specialty Sharpeners
We've talked about how you can use different types of materials and objects to help you sharpen the blades of your scissors. This is more of a short-term solution, a solution that you may have to repeat more than once if you use your scissors heavily for projects, in the kitchen, or just around the house.
The long-term solution for scissor sharpening is to invest in a specially manufactured sharpener. These sharpeners are easily available in craft stores and even online and will not cost you a lot of money, either.
Cutting Articles
What is the Best Way to Sharpen Scissors of Different Types
There are a lot of different types of scissors available nowadays. Whether you want them for some crafts or some household chores, there is a scissor for you.
You don't necessarily need every kind of scissor to be able to use them as intended, but understanding the type of scissor you have and how the sharpening of the blades can differ is vital if you want to do it at home by yourself.
Here is how to sharpen scissors of different types:
How to Sharpen Standard Scissors
These are the scissors you have in your house that can be used to cut fabric, wires, and even herbs of different kinds. These scissors come with a standard one-size-fits-all handle, and the blades are not usually too hard to keep sharp. You can easily sharpen them by using sandpaper or tin foil.
Sharpening Embroidery Scissors
A scissor that has a specific purpose, embroidery scissors are small and delicate. These scissors have blades that are pointed, which allows you to do precision work very easily.
The blades here also don’t need a lot of sharpening, but when they start getting dull, you can easily take some tin foil and use that to sharpen them back up. You can also use a store-bought sharpener if your blades are too dull.
How to Sharpen Fabric Scissors
If you love sewing and making your own clothes, you will understand the importance of having a properly sharp fabric scissor. These scissors cut through the fabric easily and leave you with a clean cut which is very important when you're sewing or stitching.
Sharpening these scissors at home will require a bit of practice and some medium grit sandpaper. Although, you may be better off sending them off to get professionally sharpened to minimize any damage to the shape.
How to Sharpen Hair Cutting Scissors
One of the sharpest scissors in the market, hair scissors, or barber shears, are scissors that need to always be sharp. The work they do would not be the best if the blades aren't sharp enough.
A key thing to keep them from going dull is to only use them on the hair, and if you do need to sharpen the blades, do it so gently using sandpaper or a store-bought sharpener. If you are a professional hairdresser or stylist, then it is best to take them to a professional sharpener.
How to Sharpen Kitchen Shears
Special scissors that are made to be used in the kitchen this is not an essential tool that you should have, but it can make a lot of chores easier for you. You can use them to cut herbs, packaging, and even poultry.
Kitchen shears and kitchen scissors usually come with screwdrivers that help you take them apart to clean them, which you can also use to help you sharpen the blades easily. Just take the shears apart and use a store-bought sharpener to get your blades back to top condition.
After Sharpening Scissors: Maintainance
If your scissors are expensive or an important part of your business, it is vital that you take care of them in between sharpening.
First, let's talk about cleaning. After each use, give them a quick wipe to remove debris and prevent any build-up of residue. When they are really dirty, wipe them with a soft damp cloth and a mild soap. Use a soft brush if necessary. The important thing is that you let them dry thoroughly before putting them away.
Store your scissors separately somewhere there is minimal humidity. Using a scissor block or pouch is the ideal place to store them. Resist throwing them in a drawer with other tools where they could get scratched or rust.
How to Sharpen Scissors – In Conclusion
For most of us, scissors are inexpensive, easy-to-find tools that can be replaced quickly if they start getting dull. For some, however, scissors are an essential tool that they use daily, and replacing a dull scissor can get quite expensive over time.
Understanding how to sharpen your scissors is a great way to ensure the longevity of this versatile tool. You can sharpen the blades at home by using an array of different materials, such as tin foil, sandpaper, and the shaft of a screwdriver.
You can also buy different sharpeners that will help you sharpen the blades pretty easily. Store-bought sharpeners do cost a bit of money, but you do get a product that helps you keep your scissors sharp and save money in the long run.
Many stores will sharpen the blades for you, and you can even use different services where you can send them your scissors, and they send them back good as new.
Different types of scissors may need different sharpening methods, but overall, scissors are essentially two knives joined together, so even your knife sharpener will work great. Thanks for reading about how to sharpen scissors!
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