Sharpening scissors is an important task that is often overlooked, but it makes all the difference in the performance of your scissors. Over time, even the highest-quality scissors can become dull and begin to tear or crush the material you are cutting, rather than cleanly slicing through it. By learning how to sharpen your scissors, you can keep them performing at their best while extending their life.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to sharpen your scissors using one of our Work Sharp manual or electric sharpeners. Note that while some Work Sharp sharpeners do not include a scissor angle guide, any abrasive is able to sharpen the blades on your scissors.

1. Gather your materials. You will need your Work Sharp sharpener, and a cloth. If you do not have a Work Sharp sharpener, you can also use a ceramic mug.
2. Clean your scissors. Before sharpening your scissors, it is important to remove any debris or stuck-on material from the blades. This will help you see any nicks or damage to the blades and give you a clean surface to work with.
3. Test the sharpness of your scissors and find any damaged areas. To do this, snip a piece of paper starting at different points on the scissor blades. If the scissors are sharp, the paper should cleanly cut without tearing. If the paper tears in any spot or the scissors feel dull, they are in need of sharpening.
4. Begin by sharpening one blade. Hold your Work Sharp sharpener in your hand or securely on the table. Place the blade of the scissors against the abrasive and the scissor angle guide. If you do not have an angle guide, rest the blade on the abrasive at an angle that matches the current angle of the scissor blade. Drag the blade across the diamond abrasive, using a back and forth motion. Be sure to sharpen the entire length of the blade.
5. Sharpen the second blade. Repeat the process on the other blade of the scissors, being sure to match the angle and pressure you used on the first blade.
6. Snip the scissors a few times. Scissors are self honing, meaning any burrs you’ve created will be smoothed out and removed simply by opening and closing the scissors a few times.
7. Finish up. Wipe the blades clean with the cloth then test them by snipping a piece of paper. If the scissors are sharp, they should easily and cleanly cut the paper.

By following these steps, you can keep your scissors sharp and in top condition. Sharp scissors make cutting a pleasure, rather than a chore, and can save you time and effort in the long run. Don’t let dull scissors hold you back – try sharpening them today and see the difference it makes.

For the fastest and easiest way to sharpen scissors, these Work Sharp electric sharpeners have built in angle guides specifically for sharpening scissors. Click on each photo to be taken to that product page.