When Does Your Shears Need Sharpening? - Alpeka

When Does Your Shears Need Sharpening?

When scissors are an essential to your job you should know when you need to send your scissors back to get sharpened! No one wants a dull scissors cutting their hair! 


Here are 6 signs that will help you!  


1. If the shears are bending the hair, it may be that the tension is too loose. Make the necessary adjustments, but if the issue is not resolved and the hair is still being pushed off of the blade, your shears are most likely dull.

2. The hair appears to be pinched or pulled (and be warned that your customer will make you aware of this). This usually happens if the shears have been dropped or endured a minor impact.

3. If the blade is producing an audible crunchy sound, or it bumps or hangs as you close it, this is also a sign of a scratched or nicked edge.

4. If you’ve recently sharpened your shears, and they start to feel dull again soon after the service, they may not have been sharpened properly or professionally. If the blade could hold an edge when new, it should last a long time after receiving a certified sharpening service.

5. Difficulty cutting and tired hands show that you are straining while cutting – this is another symptom of dull blades.

6. A sudden change in the results produced by your shears may mean that they are blunt or damaged. First, try to give them a good wipe, making sure the pivot is well-oiled. If this does not help, then it’s time to get them sharpened.

Don't Fall for the "Hacks"

1. Aluminum foil: folding over the foil and cutting through several times. Do not try this! It will severely round the cutting edge, requiring more metal to be removed to repair them.

2. Sandpaper: Cutting through sandpaper and using it to smooth the nicks or indents on the shear. Another big no-no! Your edge may not recover from this grotesque attempt at sharpening the blades.

3. Home sharpening equipment: High-quality shears require many steps with multiple abrasives and polishing techniques. A home attempt is simply insufficient, and the tools are most likely to damage or ruin your expensive investment piece.


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