Dull scissors that chew fabric or paper instead of slicing it can usually be revived at home in a few minutes. This covers sharpening the blades and a couple of quick methods that work when you don't own a sharpening stone.
What you'll need
- A sharpening stone or fine sandpaper
- A screwdriver if the scissors have an adjustable pivot
- A cloth
Step by step
- Check the pivot screwIf the blades feel loose and wobbly, tighten the pivot screw slightly. Sometimes a loose pivot, not dull blades, is why the scissors won't cut cleanly.
- Find the bevel angleLook at the cutting edge of one blade. It is ground at an angle, and you want to hold your stone or sandpaper against that same existing bevel.
- Sharpen along the bevelDraw the blade's cutting edge across the stone in one direction, from the pivot to the tip, keeping the angle steady. Repeat about ten strokes per blade.
- Sharpen the second bladeOpen the scissors wide, turn them around, and sharpen the other blade the same way, matching the number of strokes so both edges stay even.
- Remove the burrLay the flat back of each blade flat against the stone and give it one or two light passes to knock off the tiny burr raised by sharpening.
- Wipe and testWipe away metal dust with a cloth, then test on scrap paper or fabric. The cut should feel smooth from the pivot all the way to the tip.
Handy tips
- Cutting through a sheet of aluminium foil folded several times is a quick freshen-up between proper sharpenings.
- Only sharpen the angled bevel, never the flat inner face, or the blades won't meet cleanly.
- A drop of oil on the pivot after sharpening keeps the action smooth.
Heads up
- The freshly sharpened edge is genuinely sharp, so keep fingers clear of the cutting edge and test cuts carefully.
- Do not try to sharpen spring-loaded or pinking shears at home; their special edges are easy to ruin and are best left to a professional.
FAQ
Can I sharpen scissors without a stone?
Yes. Cutting through folded aluminium foil or fine sandpaper several times gives a light edge, though a stone or file gives a longer-lasting result.
Why do my scissors still not cut after sharpening?
Check the pivot screw. If it is too loose the blades separate as they cut, so no amount of sharpening will help until it is snug.
Does the foil trick actually work?
It works as a temporary fix by lightly honing the edge, but it won't restore badly dulled or nicked blades. For those you need a stone or file.