Sharpening scissors

[Bruce Slightom]

What are some of the ways that any of you have found to bring that favorite pair of scissors back to life?

[MSP]

I don't know if this is the best way but I use a knife honing (sp) stone to get the edge back and then bend the tips towards each other to get the blades tight again. Also if you can tighten the screw at the hing helps if it has backed off.

[jbird]

I have heard, but never tried, (may be a wives tale) to cut super fine sandpaper with the scissors. I have done exactly what MSP suggested, honed them and then bent them till the blades have nice friction against each other. The smartest thing I think i did tho was to buy a cheap pair and a good pair and I use both equally....good pair on soft stuff, cheap pair on tough stuff.

J

[Darian]

Not sure but it sounds like cutting fine grit sandpaper is just a slow way to dull the edges. Coarser grit might be alittle faster, tho....

At any rate, multiple pairs of scissors is one solution; sharpening is another.... I'd like to hear from Jay Murakoshi on this one. He ties a massive number of flies with a lot of synthetics. Should have some insights on this subject....

[Adam Grace]

I have been sharpening my knife with a metal emmery board, klinda crazy but it works.

Maybe try that!

I usually buy another pair, they're not too expensive.

I am using the Dr.Slick Tungsten scissor and I love them, nice and sharp.

About $20, well worth the extra $ is you tie fairly often.

Give'em a try!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Might be hard to describe but I use a set of hard Arkansas and soft Washita flat natural honing stones.

I open the scissor and stand the slightly angled edge down flat on the stone. You have to keep it flat while you work it on the stone.

I also try to tighten the screw too.

Maybe lube them a little near the screw.

If the scissors are were more than $20 they might be worth taking to a professional tool sharpener?

[Tony Buzolich]

You guys are working too hard. Talk to your wives some more if they sew much. My wife sews quilts professionally, has her own sewing room (sort of like my tying room), and has every imaginable tool known to man for doing little stitch things that no one could ever see.

In any case, I asked her one day about sharpening scissors too. She immediately smiled and went in to her cabinet of paraphenalia and came out with three sharpeners the likes of which I'd never seen before.

The best one that worked for her was FISKERS. She said every fabric store in the country carries them and they're about as simple as anything made. Even I could figure it out.

Well I couldn't wait. I grabbed every pair of scissors I had on my bench and went to work with this new found tool. It works great and I now have the sharpest scissors around.

Now, If you don't have a wife that sews, or maybe you're looking to meet some nice gal, try heading over to your local fabic store. Go in there looking helpless and sheepishly ask if anyone could help you sharpen your scissors. :P
TONY

[Darian]

Hey Tony,..... What happens if you're a crusty Ol' Fart, single for a long time and smell like fish

[Hairstacker]

Tony, you are a crack-up . . . "little stitch things that no one could ever see". . . . (Am now looking for address of local fabric store. )

[Tony Buzolich]

Darian,

I guess you're going to have to take a bath more than once a week.

If you get a receptive smile you might also ask about what they have that could be used for tying thread. Lots to talk about there, but take a bath first.
TONY