How to Sharpen a Paper Trimmer Blade
When your paper trimmer blade gets dull, you should notice it in the ability of the trimmer to cut through paper. If the trimmer can't precisely trim the same number of sheets it used to, it may be time to sharpen the blade. Many of the paper trimmers made today contain self-sharpening blades that work with the paper and the base of the unit to stay sharp without need for manual sharpening. If you have an older paper trimmer though, or if the self-sharpening feature fails to keep your paper trimmer blade as sharp as you would like it, you can sharpen a paper trimmer blade yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Use a small sharpening stone that can be grasped in your hand. Wear thick gloves on both hands, which can provide some protection if your hand slips and comes into accidental contact with the blade.
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Hold the stone at one end and place the other end of the stone against the sharp edge of the blade. Lift the stone slightly so that it sits at a 15 to 20 degree angle to the blade.
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Push the stone against the blade with enough force that it maintains good contact with the blade during each stroke. Do not push the stone too hard against the blade though, or you risk bending the blade inward.
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Move the stone away from you down the length of the blade. Make 10 to 12 passes with the stone to thoroughly sharpen the blade's edge.
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Tips & Warnings
Due to the curved blade on most paper trimmers, you can usually sharpen only one side of the blade. If you have a paper trimmer that has a perfectly straight blade, you can sharpen the other side of the blade using the same technique as the first.
The guide at Overstock recommends having paper trimmers with curved blades sharpened by a professional.
Paper trimmer blades are extremely sharp, and become more of a threat as you sharpen them. When working on the blade keep your hands to the top or side of the blade and not beneath the blade. While paper trimmers are designed to prevent the arms from accidentally falling, a falling paper trimmer arm is always a risk while sharpening.
