Introduction
Have you ever tried to cut paper with dull scissors, only to be frustrated by the results? Dull scissors are difficult to use, and only by sharpening them can you efficiently complete your handicrafts, such as cutting fabrics, unpacking parcels, etc. So, how to sharpen scissors to make them sharp?
In this article, I will show you the four best ways to sharpen scissors at home. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast, a tailor, or someone who often uses scissors at home, this guide will ensure that your scissors can cut easily.
how to sharpen scissors with a file？
Many people may wonder how to sharpen scissors with a file, but in fact, sharpening scissors with a file is a simple process that can effectively make them sharp. If it is small household scissors, such as fabric scissors, kitchen scissors, or pinking scissors, you’d better use a fine-tooth file, which will not damage the blade. Here’s how to do it:
Tools Needed:
- Metal file (preferably a flat or mill file)
- Clean, dry cloth
1. Clean the Scissors
- You can use a clean rag to remove any dirt or residue from the scissors. If it’s hard to remove, you can try spraying some alcohol on the scissors and then wiping the dirt off.
2. Secure the Scissors
- Hold the scissors firmly in one hand or secure them in a vise, making sure the blade you want to sharpen is stable.
- Find the beveled edge of the blade, this is the edge you will sharpen. Place the file on top of the blade, aligning it at the same angle as the beveled edge.
3. Sharpen the Blade
- Push the file away from your body in one smooth motion along the length of the blade.
- Keep the angle of the slope while applying consistent, moderate pressure.
- Repeat this motion 5 to 10 times until the blade is sharp and the edges are burred.
4. Remove Burrs
- Flip the blade over and fill one side with a fine file to remove any burrs (small metal shavings).
5. Before Sharpening
- Before you sharpen your scissors, you’ll notice that the blades of your scissors are so dull that they have a hard time cutting through paper and you can’t cut smooth, straight lines.
6. After Sharpening
- Once your scissors are sharpened, you can effortlessly cut through fabric and paper with smooth, precise cuts.
★Tips:
- Always file in one direction, not back and forth.
- Pay attention to the angle of the slope, sharpening at the wrong angle will dull the edge.
- Use a fine-grit file for better precision.
how to sharpen scissors with a stone？
Using a whetstone to sharpen scissors is a traditional method of sharpening knives. Many people of a certain age know how to sharpen scissors with a whetstone because it can effectively restore the sharpness of scissors. Below I will tell you how to sharpen scissors with a whetstone.
Tools Needed:
- Sharpening stone (whetstone or diamond stone)
- Water or oil (depending on the type of stone)
- Clean, dry cloth
- Optional: Screwdriver (if disassembling scissors)
1. Preparing the Stone
- Waterstone: Soak the stone in water for about 5-10 minutes before use.
- Oilstone: Apply a thin layer of oil to the surface of the stone.
- If your stone does not require soaking, just make sure it is wet and ready to use.
2. Disassembling the scissors (optional)
- If you can, unscrew the scissors and separate the blades. This will make it easier to sharpen each blade individually.
- If you choose not to disassemble them, hold the scissors firmly while sharpening.
3. Sharpening the Blade
- Find the bevel on the blade and hold the blade at a 20-25 degree angle against the whetstone.
- Place the bevel of the blade flat against the stone and begin to glide it along the stone from the base of the blade to the tip.
- Use light to medium pressure and keep the angle consistent.
- Sharpen in one direction (away from you) rather than back and forth.
- Repeat this motion 5-10 times until you feel a sharp edge.
4. Flip the Blade
- Flip the blade over to the other side and using a finer grit stone gently glide it along the blade to remove any burrs (tiny metal particles).
- This step will smooth the edge and ensure a sharp, clean cut.
5. Test the Scissors
- Once both blades are sharp, test the scissors by using them to cut a piece of paper or cloth. Sharp scissors should cut smoothly and cleanly.
- If the cut is still uneven, repeat the sharpening process.
- Wipe off any metal filings or residue from the blades with a clean cloth.
★Tips:
- When sharpening scissors, make sure your hands are steady to avoid slipping and causing accidents.
- Keep the angle consistent while sharpening to avoid damaging the edge or dulling it further.
- Don’t overuse the stone—just enough to restore sharpness.
How to Sharpen Scissors with Needle?
Do you know how to sharpen scissors with a needle? Using a needle to sharpen scissors is a little trick to make scissors sharp. Although the operation process is not difficult, you need to be careful to avoid hurting your hands. Below I will show you how to sharpen scissors with a needle.
Tools Needed:
- A needle, sewing pin, or thin metal rod
- A clean cloth for wiping
1. Sharpening by cutting
- Place the needle between the blades, near the pivot point where the blades cross.
- Gently close the scissors, applying light pressure as if trying to cut the needle.
- As you do this, the edge of the scissors will scrape against the needle, sharpening it slightly.
- Repeat the cutting motion, gradually sliding the needle toward the tip of the scissors with each cut.
2. Testing sharpness
- After a few passes, test the scissors by cutting a piece of paper or fabric.
- If the scissors do not cut smoothly, repeat the process a few more times.
★Tips:
- Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this may damage the needle or scissors.
- For better results, use this as a quick fix and follow it up with a more thorough sharpening method, such as using a file or stone.
How To Sharpen Scissors With Sandpaper?
Using sandpaper to sharpen scissors has a very obvious effect of making the scissors’ blades sharper. And the operation is also very simple. You only need to buy a piece of suitable sandpaper, and then you can easily operate it. Here I will show you how to sharpen scissors with sandpaper.
Tools Needed:
- A sheet of medium-grit sandpaper(around 400-600 grit, or higher)
- Clean, dry cloth for wiping
1. Cut the Sandpaper
- Cut long strips of sandpaper with the scissors, starting near the base of the blades and slicing through to the tips.
- Repeat this process 10–15 times. The abrasive grit on the sandpaper will remove small nicks and sharpen the blades.
- Once the scissors are sharp, wipe the blades clean with a dry cloth.
2. Before Sharpening
- Before sanding the scissors, the blade may appear dull or have a slight bend, making it difficult for the scissors to cut fabric cleanly.
3. After Sharpening
- Sanding with sandpaper removes dullness and restores the blade’s sharp edge. The scissors become easier to use, allowing for smooth, precise cutting of fabric, paper, and more.
★Tips:
- Use medium-grit sandpaper for general sharpening.
- Fold the sandpaper in half so that the rough sides face outwards. This ensures both blades are sharpened simultaneously.
- Open the scissors as wide as possible.
FAQ
How to sharpen hair scissors?
Sharpening hair-cutting scissors is a process that requires skill and patience, and requires precision to keep them sharp. You can use a whetstone to sharpen hair-cutting scissors. Follow the steps I describe in this article to sharpen scissors with a whetstone, and you will get a pair of sharp hair-cutting scissors.
How to sharpen fabric scissors?
The most common and easiest way to sharpen fabric scissors is to use fine sandpaper, fold it in half, and then run the scissors along the abrasive surface of the sandpaper several times. You can also use a whetstone or file to sharpen the scissors.
How to sharpen pinking scissors
Because the edges of pink scissors are serrated, it is a bit difficult to sharpen pink scissors. The best way is to use a whetstone. First, you need to hold the pink scissors with the serrated edge facing up. Then use the whetstone to gently slide along the edge of each serration. You need to sharpen each serration individually, which is a bit difficult. It should be noted that you’d better not use aluminum foil or sandpaper to sharpen pink scissors, because it is easy to damage the scissors.
How do you know when to sharpen scissors?
You’ll know it’s time to sharpen your scissors when you notice these signs:
1. Difficulty Cutting
Scissors struggle to cut through materials that they previously handled with ease. You may notice jagged edges or uneven cuts.
2. Snagging or Chewing Material
Instead of cleanly slicing, the scissors tug, tear, or “chew” the material, especially fabric or paper.
3. Dull Sound
Sharp scissors produce a crisp snipping sound; dull scissors may sound muted or feel mushy during cutting.
4. Visible Nicks or Wear
Check the blades for visible damage like nicks, chips, or a rounded edge instead of a sharp bevel.
5. Increased Effort
If you need to exert more force than usual to complete a cut, the blades likely need sharpening.
6. Uneven Blade Contact
The blades no longer meet or glide smoothly against each other, which affects cutting efficiency.
How often should you sharpen scissors?
Sharpen scissors as part of routine maintenance if you use them heavily, such as in sewing, crafting, or professional tasks. For occasional home use, inspect and sharpen them once a year or as needed.
When to replace scissors?
1. There are obvious nicks or cracks on the blade.
2. The blade is bent.
3. The scissors are severely rusted.
4. The handles of the scissors are loose or shaky.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you should know how to sharpen scissors. Whether you sharpen fabric scissors, hair scissors, or other types of scissors, the above four methods of sharpening scissors can make your scissors sharp. You can try any of them to sharpen your scissors. If you know more ways about how to sharpen scissors, you can share with us in the comments.
4 Responses
Thank you for sharing these. I run a stationery store and often get customers asking about maintaining their scissors. I’m going to share this article with them.
I’m curious, do you have any data on the lifespan improvement of scissors after proper sharpening using these methods?
I want to compare the sharpness of scissors from different brands. Are some brands sharper than others?
I’m curious about the sharpening tools (like the files and whetstones you mentioned), do you sell those as well?
Maybe I can try it myself…