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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: cake
Date: 02-16-2006, 07:17 AM (1 of 10)
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What's the best way to sharpen scissors? Can you use a knife steel? Katie 
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User: cake
Member since: 03-24-2003 Total posts: 27 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 02-16-2006, 10:00 AM (2 of 10)
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The best way to sharpen scissors is with a belt sharpener or low speed grinder. A whet stone can be used but is time consuming. The important things to remember are to only sharpen on the outside of each blade, and try to maintain the original angle. Don't use a knife sharpener that sharpens both sides of blade at the same time. It will ruin the blades. Fiskars puts out a small sharpening tool that does well on maintaining the edge but doesn't help much if you've got nicks. Jo Anns and Hancocks probably carry it. If you have good scissors I would take them to someone for professsional sharpening. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-16-2006, 10:09 AM (3 of 10)
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Our local Hancocks stores have a visiting sharpener who comes by about every quarter. He is reasonable and not connected to the store. If you have a Hancocks store, they might do the same. I've been told that the best sharpeners will clamp the scissors when they sharpen to assure a smooth, even edge.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 02-16-2006, 10:19 AM (4 of 10)
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The JoAnn's down by my work just had a sharpener come by at the end of January. I think he shows up every couple of months.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 02-16-2006, 10:30 AM (5 of 10)
| I take my scissors that need sharpning to Jo Anns when the guy comes around. Some places that sharpen knives knows how to do the scissors but not all of them. Make sure or they will be ruined. I also was told that to stay away from the electric scissor sharpners you can buy. I've never used those so don't know if that is true or not.My DH sharpens knives but I won't let him touch my good scissors. I'm afraid they will get messed up. He does sharpen my good knives & is great with those. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: cake
Date: 02-16-2006, 11:39 AM (6 of 10)
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Thanks everyone. There aren't any Hancocks or JoAnns in Britain, but I will ask at some local fabric shops to see if they do a similar service. Thanks! Katie |
User: cake
Member since: 03-24-2003 Total posts: 27
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From: Sparky
Date: 02-16-2006, 01:17 PM (7 of 10)
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Good luck, Katie. You might also check sewing-machine dealers. Mine sent my scissors out to be sharpened for me once. If they don't offer this service they might know who does. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 02-16-2006, 07:41 PM (8 of 10)
Just to add 2 more cents, based on myunfortunate experience: If you do choose to visit a "knife & tool" shop at the local mall, even if they have "sewing scissors" on their price list sign, do ask them about how many they've done in the past month or two. After being scissorless for several days, I found I had 2 pair of useless shears. The guy worked on one of them again and fixed it, and never did get it right on the other. I got my money back, but... He was honest with me and said they really get so few pair of sewing scissors, or scissors of any kind really, that they don't get a lot of practice. He said scissors for different purposes are to be worked to different angles. The reason they thought the scissors were ready for me to pick up is that they tested them on PAPER!!!!!  I think the ones that visit the local fabric shop are better prepared far the task.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: sewingmtech
Date: 02-16-2006, 07:59 PM (9 of 10)
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Beyond a doubt the best scissors sharpener is the "Twice as Sharp brand" run by someone that has training. At the dealership I work for this is what we use. Though for the end user this is a way to expensive machine to own. Really I have heard hundreds of ways to sharpen scissors anywhere from cutting aluminuim foil to sand paper I can't recommend any. You are better off taking it to a local shop than using any of these methods as a scissors has to be very bad shape before it makes any difference, and will not really make it any better. as for fiskar's tool it may be alright if you just want to put on the edge again, but forget it if it has any knicks. just my 3 cents |
User: sewingmtech
Member since: 02-14-2006 Total posts: 2 
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From: cake
Date: 02-17-2006, 10:47 AM (10 of 10)
| Thanks again everyone! I now have years of experience behind my decision |
User: cake
Member since: 03-24-2003 Total posts: 27
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