Protect Your Shears

What’s involved when sharpening scissors?

It’s actually a nine-step process that strives to achieve the original brilliance of the scissors.

First we take the scissors apart and reset each blade independently. This is where the curvature of the two blades is checked to see that they come together properly. Sometimes resetting involves bending the blades back into shape, which takes a very skilled hand.  

Next we hand hone each blade, which involves carefully sharpening the inside edge and then polishing the outside edge before checking for missing or damaged parts and re-assembling.

Once everything is back together and the tension is set, we test the scissors on actual hair to see that everything is in proper working order. If properly sharpened, scissors should glide smoothly through hair even when slide cutting.
 
 


What can a cutter do to help prolong the life of their shears and or have to sharpen them less often?

Keep your scissors clean, dry and well oiled. State law requires sanitizing them between cuts but do not let them soak. Wipe them down with alcohol or Barbicide and dry them completely. Remember that even the finest steel is not rustproof; it’s simply stainless.

Do a detailed cleaning everyday and oil them once a week. Keep them covered at least between two towels when not in use and never throw them on the counter or loose into a drawer. Also, check the tension daily (remember right-y, tight-y, left-y, loose-y). One of the most common reasons scissors don't cut properly is because they are too loose.


How can a person find a qualified professional in their area?

That’s easy! Either check out the Edgemaster USA website or go to www.nssg.biz and look for a list of local, board certified sharpeners.


About Edgemaster:
 Nick Cutter is a second-generation sharpener who runs Edgemaster USA, a haircutting scissors sales and sharpening business along with his daughter, Nicki. He is also known in the salon industry for designing and developing professional cutting tools. He created the ARC scissors for Paul Mitchell's Robert Cromeans, the Top Blade scissors for Adam Shuman of Farouk Systems and a complete scissor line for ENJOY Hair Care.

For more information on Nick Cutter or Edgemaster USA, please visit www.edgemasterusa.com.