How to Sharpen a Paper Trimmer

Have guillotine paper cutter blades professionally sharpened once a year.

Paper trimmers are also known as guillotine paper cutters due to the sharp blade attached to one side that is brought down on the paper to cut it. They are indispensable tools for offices, classrooms and homes. A well-made paper trimmer will stay sharp for a long time if cared for properly. When the blade becomes too dull to be effective, honing and professional sharpening will restore the paper trimmer to its original usefulness.

Things You'll Need

• Paper cutter Aluminum foil Wax paper

Instructions

1. Maintain the paper trimmer properly to keep it sharp for as long as you can, including using it only indoors on a flat, level, sturdy surface. Keep it in the same place if possible, but if you must move it always lift by the bottom not the blade handle. Keep it clean, oil it periodically, and cut only paper, not fabric or other materials that can dull or warp the blade.

2. Hone the blade between routine sharpening by putting two or three layers of aluminum foil on the paper trimmer. Bring the blade down quickly as you would if you were cutting paper, then repeat a second time. Repeat with a piece of wax paper to slightly lubricate the honed blade.

3. Remove the blade from the paper cutter and take it to a professional sharpening service when it reaches the point where honing does not improve performance. Do not attempt to sharpen it yourself unless you are skilled in the technique, because you could permanently damage the blade. You will have to have the blade sharpened about once a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Lawnmower repair centers and hardware stores usually offer sharpening services for paper cutters. If there is not a professional place near you, find a reputable place where you can ship the blade for sharpening. Many paper trimmer models have self-sharpening blades, but they also need professional sharpening periodically. Replace the blade if it becomes nicked, warped or otherwise damaged. Professional sharpening cannot rectify these flaws. Keep an extra blade on hand for this purpose so that you are not without the paper trimmer.

• Use extreme caution when using a guillotine paper trimmer. There is no safeguard on the cutter to prevent injury if fingers are in the way. Never allow children to use a guillotine-type paper cutter. Wear heavy work gloves and be very careful when removing or reinstalling a paper cutter blade. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wrap the blade in several layers of newspaper for protection during handling. Never cut sandpaper in an attempt to sharpen the blade. This will eventually permanently damage the blade and it will need to be replaced.

References

• Paper Cutter Blades: The Right Way To Sharpen Your Blades and Purchase and Install Replacement Blades
• The Getty Museum: Sharpening a Paper Cutter Blade