With time and use, all scissors lose the thread and cutting ability they had at the time of purchase. If you have trouble cutting due to blunt scissors, then you should consider buying a new pair, as this is not a particularly expensive tool. However, there are many techniques that allow you to sharpen scissor blades at home, thanks to a few common objects and a little practice.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: With Sandpaper
Step 1. Get a piece of sandpaper
A 150- or 200-grit paper is perfect for this, but you can use one that is even slightly smoother or rough. Fold the sheet in half, with the abrasive side facing out.
If the abrasive sides are outward, the blades will be filed as they cut through the paper
Step 2. Cut the sandpaper
Cut 10-20 long strips from the sandpaper sheet with scissors. You will notice that with each cut the blades will get sharper and sharper. Use the blades along their entire length, so that the sandpaper works from the base to the tip of the scissors.
- This technique is perfect for scissors that aren't completely blunt, but only need to recover some thread.
- The sandpaper smooths and removes all the notches on the blades.
- Alternatively, you can cut steel wool or abrasive cloth to achieve the same results.
Step 3. Clean the scissors
Use a wet sheet of paper towels to remove any residue from the sharpening process that may have remained between the blades.
Method 2 of 5: With Aluminum Foil
Step 1. Take a piece of aluminum foil
It must be about 20-25 cm long; fold it several times lengthwise to get a thick strip.
The various layers of aluminum will file the edge of the blades every time they pass through them as you try to cut them
Step 2. Cut the aluminum strip
Again, cut the material lengthwise and make sure that the blades go through the entire thickness. You need to involve the entire length of the scissors, from the base to the tip.
Depending on the width of the strips you are cutting, you can sharpen the blades a lot (cutting many thin strips) or just a little (cutting a few thick strips)
Step 3. Clean the scissors
Use a paper towel moistened with hot water to remove any aluminum residue that may have become entangled in the blades during cutting.
Method 3 of 5: With a whetstone
Step 1. Get a sharpening stone (cote)
You can find it in hardware stores and you can use it to sharpen any type of blade; it generally has two surfaces: one rougher and the other finer.
- If the scissors have lost their edge, start sharpening them with the rougher side of the whetstone and then move on to the less abrasive side for finishing.
- If the scissors only need a slight sharpening, use the fine side of the whetstone.
Step 2. Prepare the stone
Place it on a cloth and lubricate it with water or a sanding oil.
The shops that sell the whetstone also display the packages of oil on the same shelf, but know that any oil and even water are fine
Step 3. Disassemble the scissors
Remove the screw that connects the two blades, in this way you can sharpen each cutting surface by itself and you will have more freedom of movement.
Most of the time a small flat screwdriver fits snugly on the head of the screw and allows you to unscrew it to separate the blades
Step 4. Sharpen the inside of each scissors
Place a blade on the whetstone so that the inner side (the flat side that comes into contact with the objects to be cut and the other blade) faces down. You have to "file" the metal to create an even angle between the surface (the flat part of the scissors) and the cutting edge (the wire). The area where the two blades meet must be sharp in order to cut objects. Grab the handle of the blade and slowly pull it towards you by sliding it along the entire length on the whetstone, making sure that the edge always remains in contact with the stone.
- Repeat this process slowly and with great care until the blade is as sharp as you like. It will take 10-20 passes.
- Perform the same steps with the other blade.
- It would be best to practice with some old scissors to master the technique.
Step 5. Sharpen the sharp edge of the blade
Grab the handle of the scissors and tilt it towards you until the line (the edge of the blade) is resting flat on the stone. Keep the blade horizontal to your body and slowly pull it towards you without ever lifting the edge. Try to keep the angle of inclination as constant as possible and keep sliding the blade forward. Repeat this action carefully, until the blade is well sharpened.
- If you started work on the rough side of the whetstone, finish the sharpening with a couple of passes on the finer side.
- If you have never sharpened scissors before, then you will have a hard time figuring out when the blade has recovered its edge. Before you begin, run the tip of a permanent marker over the sharp edge. When you are no longer able to see the ink, the blade will be perfectly sharp.
Step 6. Remove the metal residue from the sharpening
When you are done using the whetstone, you will notice that the edge of the blades is covered with a light "metal sawdust" that needs to be removed. Mount the scissors by fixing them with the screw and then open and close the blades several times. Try cutting the specific material your scissors are made for (fabric, paper, cardstock, and so on) to get rid of any residue on the thread.
If you are satisfied with the work, then you are done; if not, repeat the process
Step 7. Clean the blades
Again you need a damp paper towel to clean the scissors and remove any sharpening residue.
Method 4 of 5: With a Glass Jar
Step 1. Slide the blades around a glass jar
Open the scissors to full width and lay the thread around the jar.
The diameter of the jar should correspond to the maximum width of the scissors. Grab the jar with one hand and the scissors with the other
Step 2. "Cut" the jar
Close the blades by sliding them over the jar as if trying to cut it. Do the same motion as you would to cut the fabric or paper. Press lightly as you close the blades and let the glass do the sharpening work for you.
- Repeat this operation several times, until the blades have recovered a cutting edge.
- Use a jar that you can ruin without any problem, as the scissors will leave a lot of scratches.
Step 3. Clean the scissors
Use a damp paper towel to wipe off any microscopic glass fragments that may be left on the blades.
Method 5 of 5: With a Pin
Step 1. Get a tailor's pin
This method uses the same principle as the glass jar, with the only difference that it uses a smaller object.
Step 2. Try to cut the pin
Close the two blades around the pin by sliding the pin from the base towards the tip. Do the same motion as you would to cut the fabric or paper. Apply just light pressure and let the pin sharpen the blades for you.
Repeat the process several times until you are satisfied with the degree of sharpness
Step 3. Clean the blades
Use a damp paper towel to wipe off any metal residue that the pin left on the scissors line.
