Sharpening scissors

TSabatine · **on:** December 08, 2013, 05:29:51 AM

I Was just doing some cleaning and touching up the edges on some of the knives in my edc rotation when I noticed the scissors on one of my sak's had become pretty dull.

I busted out a diamond rod thinking a few strokes and they'll be good as new. Im not really sure what I'm missing though. They are better then they where that's for sure. But to cut a thread I have to get the thread about 3/4 into the scissors before it'll cut it. Other sak's will snip the thread right at the tip of the scissors with no problem.

Any advice? Tips tricks? Maybe this has been covered here before. I apologize if so, my googling didn't really get me anywhere either. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Tom

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sticktodrum · **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2013, 05:42:38 AM

Well, I use the Sharpmaker to sharpen my Vic scissors, so I do alright keeping a proper consistent angle. I also don't cut the burr off anymore, as I've found that dulls them rather than deburrs. So, I just pass the stone on the other side of the bevel to deburr and they cut just fine.

kmanct3 · **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:22:22 AM

+ 1 on that way with the Sharpmaker

nate j · **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:26:00 AM

Quote from: TSabatine on December 08, 2013, 05:29:51 AM

Any advice? Tips tricks?

FWIW, here are my $0.02:

try to maintain a consistent angle
sharpen the entire length of the edge
sharpen both scissors blades
only sharpen the "outside" of each blade, never the "inside"

TSabatine · **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:26:53 AM

I'm not quite sure what you mean as the outside as opposed to the inside.

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nate j · **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2013, 07:46:42 AM

I should have explained it more clearly in my earlier post. When scissors are in the closed position, each scissor blade has one side that faces the opposing scissor blade and one side that does not. I was referring to the side of each scissor blade that faces the opposing scissor blade as the "inside", and the side that does not as the "outside".

KiwiMark · **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2013, 09:42:50 AM

Quote from: nate j on December 08, 2013, 07:26:00 AM

only sharpen the "outside" of each blade, never the "inside"

Yeah, this is probably the most important thing to remember!

Fattsgalore · **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2013, 09:46:06 AM

From my experience you don't sharpen Victorinox's scissors. You either take them to a steel and/or a simple stropping. With only a stropping my scissors can go from gnawing on 550 cord to cleanly shearing threw it. Now; if even after that they still aren't cutting than it's the joint...which is why I prefer the scissors with screw joint.

TSabatine · **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2013, 12:04:20 PM

Thanks for that diagram Nate j! Now I know exactly what you meant. I think I was just having an issue maintaining the angle. I ditched the diamond rod and used the edge of a soft whetstone and now The scissors are back in business!

Thanks for the advice all!

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TSabatine · **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2013, 12:41:53 AM

Quote from: Fattsgalore on December 08, 2013, 09:46:06 AM

Now; if even after that they still aren't cutting than it's the joint...which is why I prefer the scissors with screw joint.

Could you elaborate on that a bit?

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Fattsgalore · **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2013, 01:56:56 AM

Newer model scissors are joined by a rivet. Some are brass (I like those) some are either nickel or steel. (not sure) Older models are joined by a screw; which is replaceable. I'll take a pic in a few showing the three different joints.

Fattsgalore · **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2013, 02:34:57 AM

L to R: Screw, brass, steel or nickel.

All scissors joints will eventually get lose, ALL SCISSORS. Some last a long time, most don't these days since everything is cheap China BS.
I do have one old (over 30 years old) pair of scissors all steel Made in USA, they are tight and cut like new. (they don't make'em like they use too)

Anyway, once scissors head's get lose you'll start having material fold in between the two blades instead of being sheared. No amount of sharping will fix lose scissors heads.

When either of the newer scissors joints get lose they will need to be replaced, when an older type gets lose you just replace the screw.
I'd rather replace a screw than replace a pair of scissors.

I'm serious about scissors, definitely my favorite Victorinox tool. My best pair is the set on my Master Craftsman (with screw), like 30 years old or something and cuts like new.

TSabatine · **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2013, 07:26:51 AM

Ah alright I gotcha. I'll have to take a look at them again and see if there's any play there.

While we are talking sharpening, anyone ever find the need to sharpen or touch up the awl or the can opener ?

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ducttapetech · **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2013, 12:09:07 PM

The awl yes.

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Thunderpants · **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2013, 12:29:13 PM

If the can opener is blunt you are eating too many beans.

sticktodrum · **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2013, 06:18:20 PM

I usually sharpen up an awl on a new SAK. I use the medium stone of a Sharpmaker, laid flat. I do a few passes to true up the edge, and then make the point a bit sharper and pointier.