How to Sharpen Scissors With Steel Wool

Sharpening scissors with steel wool is a quick and easy project. This trick works with any style scissors from everyday kitchen scissors to specialized ones including sewing scissors, nail scissors, and even most styles of shears such as pinking shears, which have notched blades, and thinning shears, which have teeth for thinning hair. Repeated use of any style scissors will result in dull blades, so that you will need to sharpen them.

Things You'll Need

• Steel wool
• Cotton towel

Instructions

How to Sharpen Scissors With Steel Wool

1. Run the scissors under a faucet in order to clean off any large debris such as lint, plastic residue or glue from adhesives. For extra sticky blades you may want to use some nail polish remover. Simply put some on a cotton ball and scrub off any remaining glue.

2. Scrub off any rust or corrosion spots with steel wool. You may want to do this under running water if there are a lot of rust spots in need of scouring. As you rub the steel wool over the blade be careful to only go up and down the blade and not side to side as this will damage the blades. Be sure to scour both sides of the blade and in between the teeth if dealing with shears.

3. Dry scissors thoroughly with a towel. Remember to dry off scissors after each use in order to prevent future rusting. Cotton towels will often leave lint on the blades so carefully remove any lint once scissors are dry.

4. Get a clean and dry piece of steel wool. Cut through it five or six times with the your scissors. If sharpening shears with teeth, ensure that all teeth come in contact with the steel wool. You may need to use multiple pieces of steel wool to sharpen the entire length of the blades.

5. Check the scissors on a piece of scrap paper to ensure a sharp and even cut. If the blades still seem dull repeat step four.

References

• David Riddle "The Scissorsmith"