March 9, 2017
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Looking for Sharp Scissors
I went through a decade where there was not a single pair of scissors in the house that didn't have one tip broken off. I attribute that to the presence of 2 sons who seemed to think that scissors could be used for any number of purposes unrelated to cutting paper or fabric. Though no one would admit to it, I suspect the tips were used as a screwdriver on more than one occasion. I caught one using the scissors to lever off a bottle cap. Since the boys have left the nest, I restocked my compliment of working scissors. I currently have 2 pairs of pinking shears, 2 heavy cast metal scissors (in my sewing box), an antique pair of little scissors in my embroidery box, a pair of heavy duty kitchen shears, and 4 pairs of cheap Fiskars wannabes scattered around. I also have my sacred pair of hair cutting scissors in the kit with the electric trimmers. You would think that with all these scissors around I would be able to get a thread hanging from my cuff cut off. I tried several pair of scissors and none would sever the thread. Finally I broke down and asked Sparky to snip it off. He sawed at it. He held it taut and cut and cut to no avail. Finally I was able to cut it with the nail trimmer. My mission will be to sharpen the scissors. I managed to sharpen all the knives in the house at Christmas. That was partly because we were gifting knives to the boys. Son#2 was complaining bitterly about how dull all their knives were and that they were all serrated and couldn't be sharpened... But I digress. The scissors must be sharpened. The only question is, "How?" A quick google search revealed a multitude of methods. Since I own a hone I was thinking that would be my first choice. I think however I'm going to try the aluminum foil method. I just have to fold the foil so that it is ~8 layers thick. Then using the full blade make cuts in the foil with the scissors. Supposedly this method really works. I'll let you know if I'm successful!
Comments (12)
Do let us know about the foil. I have a pr. in the birds room for cutting paper for their cages only to realize it would cut butter better. And yes we have a pair with the point off.
I tried to sharpen the cheap Fiskars knock offs using the foil method. It made them sharp enough to really cut paper well but they still won't cut fabric or even threads! I'm not so sure the foil is that good of a way to sharpen scissors. Next up is the sandpaper method...
Sometimes the simplest methods, the ones that don't require extra tools, are best. I hope this is one of those times!
Nope. It didn't work too well. I'm going to attempt the sandpaper method of cutting sandpaper folded with the grit on the outside. Supposedly that will work. Time will tell.
Please do let us know. My scissors need to be sharpened too.
Don't waste your time or foil with the foil cutting method. It really didn't make a big difference and certainly didn't sharpen them to the point of usefulness.
As my scissors get dull, they get moved to drawers with craft supplies for cutting paper and I buy a new pair of scissors for cutting fabric. I do have an electric knife sharpener, though, if you need to borrow it.
The electric knife sharpeners won't work on scissors since they have a beveled edge on one side... You may have the right idea - replace them when they get to the point of needing sharpening!
Sometimes the screw that holds the two pieces together and acts as fulcrum just needs tightening ~ ~ ~
Sometimes the cheap scissors just have a rivet and they can't be tightened -as is the case with the cheap ones I have. I'm considering just ditching them and purchasing some new ones...
My scissors always seem to disappear before they get dull. As you know, I have two boys also and thay are probably the reason they go missing.
Ha! I know too well that scenario. Which is why when the boys were home I hid my good scissors - but they always managed to find them!