How to Sharpen Pinking Sheers

Pinking shears are primarily used for cutting cloth or paper. Pinking shears have saw-toothed blades. The saw-toothed blades create a zigzag pattern, instead of the straight cut produced by scissors. Keeping pinking shears sharp is important because it will improve the quality of the cut. Because the blades cannot be sharpened in the same way as scissors, sharpening pinking shears yourself may prove to be ineffective.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pinking shears
• Sandpaper
• Aluminum foil
• Steel wool
• Brillo Pad

1. Cut a piece of fine-grade sandpaper with the pinking shears. Make numerous long cuts, using the entire length of the blade.

2. Fold a piece of aluminum foil into several layers, and cut repeatedly with the pinking shears. Cut the foil using the full length of the blade.

3. You can also try repeatedly cutting steel wool (or a Brillo Pad).

Tips & Warnings

• Take your pinking shears to a professional. They have machines specifically designed to perform this task.
• There are mixed results for people who have tried to sharpen pinking shears by cutting sandpaper, aluminum foil and steel wool. Unless the sandpaper is of a very fine grain, it could cause damage to the blades. Rough sandpaper could scratch rather than sharpen the shears.

References

• Sewing.PatternReview.com: Sharpening Pinking Shears