5 MAIN WAYS OF SHARPENING KITCHEN SCISSORS
When it comes to kitchen cutlery, the chef’s knife gets all the attention. And rightly so, since it’s the tool you use the most. But the humble pair of scissors is often overlooked, even though it’s used for everything from snipping herbs to trimming fins on whole fish to shearing through chicken bones (not to mention cutting parchment and occasionally opening some stubborn piece of packaging).
Using your Kitchen Scissors is dull as you will realize you need more pressure when using them than before. That’s because very few home cooks know you can sharpen kitchen scissors, let alone how to do it. Fortunately, sharpening them is as easy. This article will walk you through how to sharpen kitchen scissors at home.
HOW TO SHARPEN KITCHEN SCISSORS: 5 MAIN WAYS
We’ll show you five ways to get these handy household items to cut through food like they did when you first got them. Once you’re done reading our guide, you won’t have a problem with dull scissors again.
But first and foremost, you need your kitchen scissors clean before you sharpen them. We recommend you clean them with soap and warm water to remove food debris and any leftover oil. Mixing in baking soda can also help remove tough stains on the blades. Once this is done, rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
1. USE ALUMINIUM FOIL
I bet you didn’t know that you can use aluminum foil to sharpen kitchen scissors at home. Well, brace yourself for the lesson.
• Get a piece of aluminum foil around 10 inches long for effectiveness.
• Fold your piece nicely at it lengthwise to have a thick layer strip.
• Cut through the foil ten to twenty times (or more, if you want them sharper), always ensuring the cutting edge’s full length is running through the layers.
• Practice a fluid cutting motion, for that is what guarantees smooth cuts. Once you are done, clean your blade by wiping it using a moist paper towel dipped in warm water.
2. USE SANDPAPER
The sandpaper you will use should not be less than 150 grit.
• Get the sandpaper and fold it half-wise such that the rough side is outwards to sharpen both blades.
• Using a fluid motion, cut through the sandpaper with your shears until you notice that the blades are sharp with each cut.
• You can choose to increase your grit for perfect cutting.
• Finally, clean your shears, ready for the next task.
• Check the edges of the scissors that are sharpened. Use any damp cloth to clean the edges for the dust settled on the scissors. It will help clean the scissor surface and prepare it for use in the kitchen.
3. USE A SHARPENING STONE
Sharpening stones normally have two sides for sharpening blades: a coarser, grainier, and a fine side. Sharpening stones can be found at most hardware stores and can be used to sharpen any blade you have.
• You can place a towel under the stone and then use oil or water for lubrication.
• Now, set the blades of your kitchen scissors apart to enable you to sharpen each blade separately.
• Grind the cutting side gently, starting with the rough part of the stone.
• Remember to sharpen the underside of the blade too. After that, turn to the smooth side and run a few strokes for an excellent finish.
• Once you are done, clean the blades as you take care of your fingers.
• Reassemble your kitchen scissors ready for your next kitchen task!
4. USE A GLASS BOTTLE OR A MASON JAR
Surprisingly enough, you can use a glass bottle (e.g., a beer bottle) or a mason jar to sharpen scissors.
• Hold the jar or bottle firmly with your non-dominant hand.
• Then, cut the top of the jar or glass bottle with the kitchen scissors.
• Squeeze the scissors closed and slide the mason jar out between the blades as the scissors close.
• The whole cutting edge of the blade should run against the glass. You won’t need to apply much force or pressure.
• All in all, you will need fifteen to twenty passes to sharpen the blade’s edges.
• Be sure to use a mason jar that you don’t mind damaging because the blades of the scissors might leave scratch marks on the jar.
• Using a damp paper towel, wipe down the blades of the scissors to clear off any microscopic glass pieces that may have gathered on the blades while cutting the mason jar.
5. USE A ROTARY TOOL
A handheld rotary tool often called a Dremel tool, is a super-versatile electric tool that accepts a wide variety of accessories, including rotary abrasive stones, which are ideal for sharpening kitchen scissors.
• Start by securely clamping the scissor blade into a vise with its beveled cutting edge facing up.
• Next, place an aluminum-oxide grinding stone into the rotary tool and tighten the collet nut.
• While holding the tool firmly with two hands, turn on the motor, and set the grinding stone very lightly against the beveled edge.
• Hold the stone at the same angle as the beveled edge and keep the stone moving at all times. If you stop in one spot for a second, you’ll grind a hollow spot into the blade.
• Using very little pressure, pass the rotating stone across the beveled edge from the base to tip eight to 10 times. If you feel any burrs on the flat side of the blade, grind them off with the stone.
• Repeat the above steps to sharpen the second scissor blade.
THE ADVANTAGES OF USING THESE WAYS TO SHARPEN YOUR KITCHEN SCISSORS
There are numerous advantages of using these ways to sharpen your kitchen scissors. These include:
1. The materials to sharpen your kitchen scissors are readily available in any store around you at very cheap prices.
2. You can sharpen your kitchen scissors from the comfort of your home and give the same result as taking them to a professional.
3. You will have an easier job in the kitchen since you will get smooth and easy cuts on anything that you need to cut.
4. Using these ways, you will have healthier food than using rusty dull kitchen scissors in your day-to-day cooking chores.
CONCLUSION
If you don’t sharpen kitchen scissors and scissors often, you will not fully function in the kitchen as you expect. Who wants to work with dull tools anyway? Choose the sharpening method that works well for you. The kitchen should be a fun place to be. Frustrations brought by blunt appliances are a no. Observe caution as you handle the blades when sharpening to avoid causing injuries. Before sharpening kitchen scissors and scissors, cleaning should be prioritized.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
QUESTION 1: CAN ANY OF THESE METHODS DAMAGE OR RUIN MY SCISSORS?
ANSWER: They can damage your scissors if you do them incorrectly. If you are concerned about this, you can purchase a special kit for sharpening scissors. You can also take them to a professional who will safely sharpen your scissors.
QUESTION 2: Do I need kitchen scissors?
ANSWER: Absolutely. Your kitchen cannot fully function without kitchen scissors. They come in handy, being that they are multi-purpose.
QUESTION 3: Can I sharpen my scissors with a bench grinder?
ANSWER: Yes, I have. But unless you have or make a jig to hold them or can maintain an exact angle by hand, be very careful because grinders work very fast!
QUESTION 4: Does this work with hair scissors as well?
ANSWER: Yes, but good hair scissors should be taken to a professional.
