Not only knives but also any sharpening objects require sharpening at a certain point of their use. Scissors are not an exception. Your knife might need frequent sharpening and you must be desperate as well to use a razor-sharp knife.
But when was the last time you cared for sharpening your scissors? Unlike knives, scissors do not require frequent sharpening. It is simply because you may not use it so often. However, when it is actually time for sharpening scissors you might panic asking how to sharpen scissors!
Well, today we are going to serve you with the answers regarding this topic. Sharpening scissors is not that tough. In fact, it is an easy process once you know the methods and techniques.
How to Sharpen Scissors: 5 Actionable Ways
Sharpening Scissors with Sandpaper
It is easy to use sandpaper to sharpen a scissor. You just have to follow the methods properly.
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First, take a piece of sandpaper
Sandpapers are available in several grits. You have to take a sheet with about 150 to 200-grit. This grit will do just fine. However, you can go for more of a finer grit one. It will offer you way smoother edges to the blades.
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Prepare the paper
After getting sandpaper, fold it in half. Make sure to keep the rough sides of sandpaper facing outward. Moreover, it will enable both blades of the scissors to graze against sandpaper.
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Cut through the paper
After preparing the paper, take the scissor and cut through it. Cut long strips about 10 to 20 times. Cutting through the sandpaper will create a graze between the blade edges and the paper. So, after certain cuts, the blades start to sharpen.
With each cut of sandpaper strip, you will notice that the blades are becoming smooth and sharp.
Nonetheless, make sure that you are making strokes with the full blade of the scissors. So, start from the blade base and end at the blade tip. You have to ensure that the sandpaper is touching all over the blade edges.
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Finally, wipe the scissors
When you are done making strokes with the scissors and sandpaper, inspect the sharpness. When you feel the scissor is enough sharpened, wipe down the edges. Use a damp paper towel to clean off the bits that the blades have saved on their edges.
Tips
- This method is great only when your scissors are not miserably dull.
- If your scissors have indents and nicks on them then sandpaper can clean them off.
Sharpening Scissors with Sharpening Stone
Yes, you can also sharpen scissors beside knives using a sharpening stone.
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Get a sharpening stone
Basically, sharpening stones are used for sharpening any sharp objects. A sharpening stone has a finer side and a coarser side. For horribly dull scissors you should start with the coarse side. And then slowly go to the finer side.
However, scissors do not need deep sharpening. Just a little and slight sharpening is enough especially when you are using a sharpening stone. So, if your scissor is not that dull then you can use the fine side of your sharpening stone.
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Secondly, prepare the stone
Before running the blade over the stone, you need to use the lubricant. First, place a cloth or towel under the sharpening stone. Then lubricate the stone surface. For lubricating, you can use water or honing oil. Anything you take will go great on sharpening stone.
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Now, unscrew the blades
Now, it is time to unscrew the blades of your scissors. drive a small and flathead screwdriver in the screw head of the knife and then let the screw come off the scissor and separate the blades.
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Start Sharpening
When the blades are separated, take one and start sharpening its inner side. Hold the handle of the blade and place it over the stone surface. Then pull the blade slowly toward you across the stone. Keep doing the process about 10 to 20 times for each blade.
Nonetheless, to get the best result, you can first practice on some old scissors and then work on the actual ones.
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Wipe down the blades
When you are done sharpening, wipe down the blades of your scissors with a damp cloth. Then add the screws and joint the blades.
Use a Glass Mason Jar
It is another great way to sharpen your scissors.
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Wide open the scissor
First, wide open the scissor with one hand and hold the mason jar with another. Now, position the edges around the jar and take it as far as they can from the jar.
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Try to cut the jar
Positioning in this way, try to cut the jar with the scissor just like you are cutting fabric or paper. This will create friction between the jar and the blades. It will sharpen the edge gradually.
Continue the process until the blade gets smooth and clean. however, do not force too much on the task. Also, make sure you won’t mind if the jar gets damaged during the process.
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Finally, wipe down
There might be some glass and steel particles on the blade surface after the sharpening. Thus, clean off the surface using a damp rag.
Use Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil also sharpens the scissor blades.
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Get an aluminum foil paper
Only a piece of aluminum foil paper is enough to sharpen the scissors. Make sure the piece is about 8 to 10-inch long. Now, fold the paper and make a thick strip.
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Cut the foil paper
Then cut the thick paper with the scissor that you want to sharpen. Added foil layer will enable the blade to be sharpened.
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Wipe down
When you are done sharpening, as usual, wipe down the blades.
Use a Pin
Yes, you can also use a pin to sharpen your scissors. The process is almost similar to the process of sharpening with the help of a mason jar.
Just take the pin and try to cut it with the scissor. When it gets sharpened, clean off the blades.
Final Words
So, now that you know how to sharpen your scissor, apply any of them. It is a very simple process. Let not your scissors dull horribly. Like any other sharp objects, you need to sharpen your scissors as well and frequently.
