I know I have about 3 dozen scissors running around here. To keep them sharp, I buy a box of 00 steel wool from my local hardware store and cut through it with the scissors. This allows your scissors to sharpen themselves, and it also beats paying $15.00 to have them sharpened.
By gem from VA
Tips for sharpening scissors. I am old enough to remember when knife sharpeners used to come to the DOOR. Not anymore - but you can sort of sharpen your scissors by cutting through sandpaper until the edge is restored.
Need to sharpen your scissors? Take a 12 inch-14 inch strip of Heavy-duty Aluminum foil and fold to 8 layers. Now, just cut as many thin strips of foil as you can manage (25 is preferred). Your scissors are now sharp! If using standard weight aluminum foil, just fold to 16 layers and proceed.
To sharpen scissors, simply cut through metal scrubbing pads and continue until your scissors are sharp. I have done this for years, and it works well for me.
I am looking for a good way to sharpen my scissors without going to a pro. I have tried the types that sharpen knives, but those work poorly. Thanks.
By Susan Miner from Trinidad, CO
You might try googling the technique: sharpen your scissors yourself.
The best way to sharpen scissors is to save all of your used/discarded aluminum foil. Cut through the foil with dull scissors until the foil is in tiny pieces..Viola!
Is there a method to sharpen your own scissors?
By KIM from Madison, WI
I use aluminum foil. Just cut the foil a few times and they should be good again!
To expand on sneither's method; fold the foil about 4-layers thick and begin cutting as many slits as you can.
I trimmed the edges of a plastic garbage bag and later noticed the scissors glided through the papers I was cutting more easily. Evidently, the petroleum in the making of the bag caused this.
We have all heard of using foil to sharpen scissors. I find they are much sharper and cut way better when sharpened with fine-grit sandpaper. Turn the sandpaper so the roughness is facing down, then cut long strokes all the way through so your blades are sharpened evenly.
I use a scissor sharpener that you can buy in any fabric store and even at Walmart. Mine is made by Fiskar. I keep this by my sewing machine and use it periodically to sharpen all my scissors.
I sharpen my scissors with my knife steel. It clears any burrs and gives me a clean edge. I also make sure the screws are well tightened.
Before you throw away that used cardboard finger nail file, use it to sharpen scissors. Take your scissors and cut the file into tiny pieces.
Sharpening scissors is one of my problems. Since I have a kindergartener and a grade 3 kiddo, projects are always under way in school. Of course, I have to assist them on their school projects.