Introduction
Do you ever feel like your beloved scissors have lost their magical touch? Whether it’s your fabric, kitchen or hair-cutting scissors, over time, they may become dull, making cutting and crafting a frustrating experience. However, before you toss your scissors and purchase a new pair, we have good news: you can sharpen your scissors back to their original gleam. This article will guide you through a step-by-step process of sharpening your scissors with traditional and DIY techniques. We will also share common mistakes to avoid when sharpening and tips on how to maintain your scissors’ sharpness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sharpening Scissors
Before you start sharpening your scissors, ensure that you have a sharpening stone, tool or kit. Additionally, make sure you have a pair of gloves and eye protection. Here are the steps to sharpen your scissors:
Step 1: Disassemble the Scissors
It’s essential to disassemble your scissors, so you can adequately sharpen individual blades without damaging the pivot. To do this, unscrew the fastener located in the middle of the scissors using a screwdriver. Be careful when handling the blades to avoid injuring yourself. Keep the blades and screw in a safe place.
Step 2: Use a Sharpening Stone or Tool to Sharpen the Blades
You can use a sharpening stone or tool to sharpen the blades of your scissors. A sharpening stone has a coarse grit side and a finer grit side. Start with the rough side of the stone, then move to the finer side. Alternatively, a sharpening tool typically has a V-shaped notch, which you can use to sharpen the blades.
Hold the stone or sharpener against the blade at a 20-degree angle and start sharpening the blade among the entire length, starting at the base of the blade near the pivot point and finishing at the edge. Repeat each side of the blade three to five times. Also, ensure to maintain the same angle while sharpening the blade.
Step 3: Re-assemble the Scissors
Once you’ve sharpened your scissors’ blades, it’s time to reassemble them. Place both blades on top of each other and insert the screw through the pivot hole. Tighten the screw until the blades have a little friction, ensuring they move freely.
Step 4: Test the Scissors to Ensure They’re Sharp Enough
Finally, test your scissors to see if they are sharp enough. Cut through a piece of paper, and if your blades can cut through it effortlessly without any snagging, they are sharp enough, and you’re good to go.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sharpening Scissors
Although it’s easy to sharpen scissors, it’s essential to avoid specific mistakes to ensure you effectively sharpen them. Here are some common mistakes:
Using the Wrong Sharpening Tool
Using the wrong tool to sharpen your scissors can cause more harm than good. Tools like electric grinders and belt sanders can damage the blades over time, so it’s essential to use appropriate sharpening tools like sharpening stones or sharpening tools with V-shaped notches.
Not Cleaning the Blades Thoroughly
If the scissors blades are dirty before you sharpen them, it can prevent them from sharpening well. Ensure that you clean the blades first with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dirt or grime before sharpening.
Not Sharpening at The Right Angle
Sharpening scissors blades at the wrong angle can ruin the blades and prevent the scissors from cutting properly. It’s essential to sharpen at a consistent angle. Most scissors’ blades are sharpened at a 20-degree angle, so you should stick with this angle while sharpening.
How to Sharpen Different Types of Scissors
Sharpening different types of scissors can be done with similar techniques we’ve already discussed. However, each type of scissors may have some nuances you need to know to sharpen them best. Here’s a list of different types of scissors and how to sharpen them:
Fabric Scissors
Fabric scissors require a sharp edge to slice through fabrics cleanly. To sharpen fabric scissors, use a sharpening stone in long strokes to sharpen the blades. Make sure to hold the scissors at the proper 20-degree angle while sharpening, and always clean the blades before sharpening for the best results.
Haircutting Scissors
You can sharpen haircutting scissors with a sharpening stone or specialized sharpener. However, the blades of haircutting scissors are beveled at an angle than 20 degrees to make for precise cutting, so be sure to observe and replicate any existing bevel when sharpening the blades.
Kitchen Scissors
Kitchen scissors are versatile and can handle a range of kitchen tasks. To sharpen kitchen scissors, use a sharpening stone in smooth, long strokes to sharpen the blades. It’s important to clean the blades and avoid sharpening at too steep or shallow an angle to maintain the scissors’ effectiveness.
DIY Techniques for Sharpening Scissors without Traditional Equipment
If you don’t have traditional sharpening tools like sharpening stones or sharpening tools and you need to quickly sharpen your scissors, there are alternative techniques:
Using Sandpaper
Sandpaper can be an excellent alternative for sharpening scissors. To do this, fold the sandpaper, grit-side up, several times to create a grinding surface. Then, pass each blade of the scissors several times on the sandpaper. Continue this action repeatedly until the blades get sharper.
Using Aluminum Foil
Using Aluminum foil to sharpen scissors might sound strange, but it is a useful technique. Start by folding a sheet of aluminum foil into small, folded pieces, then cut it with your scissors several times. Doing this distributes the sharpness of the aluminum foil evenly across the blades, and sharpening each blade by cutting it with the foil.
Avoiding Wear and Tear on Scissors
While you can always sharpen your scissors, it’s always better to avoid dulling them in the first place. Here are some tips for maintaining your scissors and avoiding wear and tear:
Clean Your Scissors After Every Use
Cleaning your scissors after every use can help prevent dirt and debris from dulling the blades. Wipe them down and keep them dry before storage.
Avoid Using Your Scissors on Unintended Material or Surface
Using your scissors on unintended materials can result in dulling the blades, so it’s essential to use them only on the intended surfaces.
Sharpening Alternatives
While it’s possible to sharpen most scissors back to their original sharpness, sometimes it’s best to consider replacing them when they are beyond repair. Here are some tips for buying new scissors:
Research Before You Buy
When you’re looking to buy a new pair of scissors, research before you purchase. Ensure that it is the right type of scissors for your intended purpose and read reviews before buying.
Professional Sharpening Services
It’s also possible to send faulty scissors for professional sharpening services. Some professional sharpeners could even make house calls and sharpen your scissors at home. However, ensure that it’s cost-effective compared to buying a new pair of scissors.
Conclusion
Sharpening scissors are an essential skill that every household needs. We have discussed in this article, the step-by-step guide to sharpening scissors with traditional and DIY techniques. We also covered common mistakes to avoid, how to sharpen different types of scissors, how to prevent wear and tear on your scissors, and alternative options when all hope is lost.
