Sharpening the 58mm Scissors Help Needed

[Joe58]

Hey guys -

I know its a dumb question, but what's an easy way to touch up the edge on my Minichamp scissors?

I'm fairly sharpening impared and mainly use a Sharpmaker for everything.

On one or two of mine they're getting dull and my wife doesn't seem to understand my reasoning that it is just an indication I need to buy a new one if the blades or scissors get dull on the one I'm using currently.

Thanks! Joe

[Aloha]

Keeping the angle is the hard part, at least for me.  I usually strop my Vic scissors unless the really need sharpening then I use a diamond stone. 

[Joe58]

Keeping the angle is the hard part, at least for me.  I usually strop my Vic scissors unless the really need sharpening then I use a diamond stone.

How are you stropping them? Just using the strop edge, or did you make a narrow strop? Didn't think of using a strop.

Just curious which way would work better. I've about 15 strops laying around here I made for something to do which I'm not using, so I can experiment on one or two if I need to. And I have some leather yet too. I could make a real narrow one to try out. Thanks!

[Aloha]

Yes just running across the edge.  Now you got me wondering if I too should cut a narrow strip as well.  I figure with most of the cutting for a 58mm the scissors just need a refining rather than full blown sharpening.  My 91mm also get the same stropping when they fail to cut as we know they should. 

[pfrsantos]

I haven't tried this but you could use tin foild to sharpen them. Take a piece of tin foil, make a few cuts with the scissors. It should sharpen them.

Let us know if it works.

[Joe58]

Aloha - yeah, I'll think I'll make a real narrow strop to try out. I agree that a touch up is just what's needed.

Santos - that's an idea with the foil. Have you tried this yourself and it worked? To me it would seem to dull rather than sharpen but I dunno. Interesting though.

Thanks for the tips guys!

[stressmaster5000]

I have heard cutting through some emery cloth or fine sandpaper can do it. I use a different method which provides me with good enough results. The ceramic rod self-sharpener I use for fine work but when I find a scissors with a significant nick, probably from cutting wire or something hard, I use my diamond sharpened flat side across the back side flat area of the scissors blade. Sometimes I try to match the edge angle and touch up that edge as well. It does not take much to dress it up. Helps to if the scissors has a screw pivot to tighten or loosen.

[comis]

Depending how bad you have dulled it, but if it is just merely not cutting perfect, I usually just follow the instruction for sharpmaker and it is good as new.  If you have time, search it on youtube(instruction for sharpmaker) and the same principle could be used with other sharpening tool.

[pfrsantos]

(...)
Santos - that's an idea with the foil. Have you tried this yourself and it worked? To me it would seem to dull rather than sharpen but I dunno. Interesting though.

Thanks for the tips guys!

[Joe58]

Good stuff guys - much appreciated!!

I think I can get them back into shape with all the help from you guys.

Great guys here.....