How to Sharpen a Tattoo Needle

You are a tattoo artist, but right now your only “canvas” is you or at the very least family members and close friends ONLY. You have purchased a high-quality tattoo needle, but it is beginning to get dull, and not work as well as it should. The colors are not transferring as best as they can, and it hurts (more than usual) to use the thing.You can’t afford to buy another one right now, so you want to sharpen the one you have.

Things You'll Need

• Different types of sharpening tools, such as:
• Sharpening stone
• Ordinary nail file or emery board
• very fine, very small grinding wheel that fits on an electric drill
• The striking surface of a paper matchbook
• Water or a light oil to moisten the sharpening stone
• Dry cloths or paper towels
• Alcohol and/or other sterilizing solution (barber tool sterilizing solution is a good thing to use, if you can get some.)

Instructions

1. Clean the sharpening tool you have chosen as well as possible, if you can. If you can’t clean it without ruining it (such as the striking surface of a paper matchbook), at least wipe it off with a dry rag.

2. Wet the sharpening stone (if that is what you are using) with either water or a small amount of oil. Wipe off any excess oil.

3. Run the needle lightly over the surface, using a back and forth motion. Turn it over and over so that all sides will be sharpened.

4. Wipe the nail file or emery board with a cloth or paper towel that has been barely moistened with alcohol or sterilizing solution. Then, repeat Step 3 to sharpen the needle. (See TIPS and WARNINGS for further information.)

5. Clean your SMALLEST grinding wheel, if you can, then attach it to the electric drill or grinder motor or whatever runs it.

6. Carefully bring the grinding wheel into contact with the needle, then repeat Step 3 to sharpen the needle. (See tips for more information.)

7. Wipe the striking surface of a paper matchbook with a dry cloth, then repeat Step 3 to sharpen the needle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use a nail file or emery board, go ahead and plan on disposing of the thing after you have used it. It’s for sure you don’t want your “sweetie”, sister, mother, or anyone else for that matter using it after you have sharpened your needle with it.

• If you are using a grinding wheel, you might want to anchor the needle in a vice or clamp grip of some kind. This will make easier to control the grinding wheel.

• If you use a nail file or emery board, go ahead and plan on disposing of the thing AFTER you have used it. It’s for sure you don’t want your “sweetie,” sister, mother, or anyone else for that matter using it after you have sharpened your needle with it.

• Let everyone who will have the needle used on them (again, it is a good idea to limit WHO you use the needle on) know that it has been re-sharpened, and ask them to be BRUTALLY honest with you if it does not appear to be working any better.

• Clean the needle thoroughly and sterilize it thoroughly before using it again.

• It is best to dispose of anything you use to sharpen your tattoo needle. If you can’t or won’t get rid of the sharpening instrument, however, clean it as best as you can, and try to keep it separate from other things, and dedicated to this task ONLY.

• Test the needle on yourself before using it on anyone else. If anyone should be injured from a poorly sharpened needle, it should be you.