Keeping your scissors sharp is essential for achieving clean and precise cuts, whether you're working with fabrics, paper, hair, or in the kitchen. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of sharpening different types of scissors. You’ll better understand how to sharpen kitchen scissors, fabric scissors, hair-cutting scissors, and paper scissors using traditional methods.
Additionally, we'll introduce you to SELECTOOL, a versatile tool that can effortlessly sharpen all these types of scissors and more–you’ll find that Selectool is the easiest and most versatile sharpening tool that you’ll ever need.
Sharpening Kitchen Scissors:
To sharpen your kitchen scissors, follow these easy steps:
- Start by cleaning the blades thoroughly to remove any food residue.
- Take a sheet of tin foil or aluminum foil and fold it several times to create multiple layers.
- Hold the folded foil between the scissor blades and make several cuts along the foil. This helps in realigning the blades and improving their cutting performance.
- If the blades are still not sharp enough, consider using professional sharpening tools like a sharpening stone or a sharpening rod specifically designed for kitchen shears.
- Open and close the scissors while applying light pressure on the blade against the sharpening surface. Repeat this process about ten times to achieve a beveled edge.
- Finally, clean the blades with rubbing alcohol and a cloth to remove any metal shavings or residue.
Sharpening Fabric Scissors:
Fabric scissors require special attention to maintain their cutting effectiveness. Some people say you need to send your fabric scissors to sharpening service to get them sharpened, but we’ll explain how to do it yourself (even better with Selectool):
- Begin by cleaning the blades to remove any fabric fibers or debris.
- Take a glass mason jar and fill it with steel wool. Use the scissor blades to cut through the steel wool, opening and closing the scissors several times. This helps to remove any dullness and restore sharpness.
- For a more precise sharpening, you can use a sharpening stone. Hold the blade across the stone at a slight angle and slide it back and forth several times, ensuring even contact along the entire cutting edge.
- Remember to clean the blades after sharpening to remove any steel particles or residue.
Sharpening Hair Scissors
How to sharpen hair scissors is different from these other techniques, but here’s a guide to sharpening hairdressing scissors:
- Start by cleaning the scissor blades using a cloth or brush to remove any hair or debris. This step ensures a clean and smooth sharpening process.
- Some hair cutting scissors have removable blades. If your scissors have this feature, carefully disassemble them according to the manufacturer's instructions. This step allows for better access to each individual blade.
- Hold the scissor blade against the sharpening surface at a specific angle, and then gently slide the blade across the surface in a smooth, controlled motion.
- Repeat this process several times, ensuring equal sharpening on both blades.
- After sharpening, carefully wipe away any metal shavings or residue from the scissor blades.
- Reassemble the scissors (if applicable) and check if they are properly aligned and closing smoothly.
How to Sharpen Scissors at Home:
Even paper scissors benefit from occasional sharpening for smoother cuts:
- Wipe the blades clean to remove any paper dust or dirt.
- Take a sheet of fine-grit sandpaper and fold it in half, with the abrasive side facing out.
- Hold the sandpaper in one hand and close the scissor blades onto it, applying light pressure. Move the scissors in a cutting motion along the sandpaper, focusing on the beveled edges.
- Repeat this process several times, ensuring both blades receive equal sharpening.
- Clean the blades afterward to eliminate any residual sandpaper particles.
Effortless Sharpening with Selectool:
With Selectool, sharpening scissors becomes a breeze. This versatile tool, known for its exceptional knife sharpening capabilities, can also be used to sharpen scissors effortlessly.
- Clean the scissor blades to remove any dirt or debris.
- Hold the scissor blades between the Selectool's sharpening surfaces and apply gentle pressure while opening and closing the scissors.
- Repeat the process a few times until the desired sharpness is achieved.
- Just like with traditional methods, remember to clean the scissor blades after sharpening.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining sharp scissors is vital for achieving clean and precise cuts in various tasks, whether it's in the kitchen, working with fabrics, or handling paper. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can keep your scissors sharp and ready for any cutting challenge.
For even more convenience, consider using Selectool, a reliable tool that allows you to effortlessly sharpen your scissors along with other blades like kitchen knives and axe blades. Enjoy the satisfaction of sharp, efficient scissors with Selectool's versatile sharpening capabilities.