Have the rough edges face outward, so the sandpaper grazes against both blades as you cut the paper.
Cutting through sandpaper is good for scissors that aren’t horribly dull, but just need some touch up sharpening. The sandpaper also helps smooth out nicks and indents on the blades. Some alternative cutting materials to sharpen scissors are emery cloth and steel wool. [2] X Research source
The added layers of the aluminum foil will help sharpen the blades of the scissors multiple times with every cut of the foil.
Depending on the width of the strips you cut, you can sharpen your scissors blades a lot (by cutting many, skinny strips) or just a little bit (by cutting a few, thicker strips).
If you have very dull scissors, you should start out using the coarse side of the stone, and then use the finer side of the stone to finish your sharpening. If your scissors just need a light sharpening, you only need to use the fine side of the stone.
Stores sell “honing oil” in the same area that they sell sharpening stones, but any oil, or even water for that matter, works just fine for lubricating the stone.
More often than not, a flathead screwdriver small enough to fit in the screw’s head will work in unscrewing the scissors’ blades from each other.
Repeat this action slowly and carefully until the blade has been sharpened. This should take about 10-20 pulls. Repeat this step with the other blade of the scissors. You should practice on some old scissors until you fully get the hang of how to sharpen blades.
If you started on the coarse side of the stone, finish with a few swipes on the finer side of the stone to give a nice, smooth finish. If you have never sharpened scissors this way before, you might find it difficult to judge when the edge of the blade is completely sharpened. Consider this trick: before you start sharpening the blades, run the tip of a permanent marker across the edge of the scissor blade. Start sharpening the blade, and when the marker line has been sanded away off the edge, you’ve successfully sharpened the blade. [5] X Research source
If the scissors are sharp enough for your liking, you’re finished. If you want them to be sharper, repeat the sharpening process.
The jar should be as far as it can go between the two blades. Hold the jar with one hand, and the scissors with the other hand.
Repeat this process until the blades have a smooth, clean edge. 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.
Repeat this process until the blades have a smooth, clean edge.
