Umair Gaines
Electric hair cutting shears are a convenient tool for those who like to cut their hair at home. However, like any other scissors, they will eventually dull and lose their sharp edges. To maintain their sharpness, it is important to sharpen them regularly. This can be done at home using various tools such as whetstones, sandpaper, aluminium foil, glass, or professional sharpening tools. Alternatively, they can be sent to a professional sharpening service, which is the most accurate and precise way to get them sharp again. This paragraph will discuss the different methods and techniques to sharpen electric hair cutting shears and provide a guide on how to keep them well-maintained.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sharpening tools | Whetstone/sharpening stone, knife sharpener, metal file, diamond sharpener, glass, aluminium foil, sandpaper, alcohol, sharpening service |
| Sharpening techniques | Move the blade back and forth across the sharpening stone, use light pressure, sharpen at a 30-45 degree angle, deburr, oil the blades, clean the blades, use a magnet holder |
| Maintenance | Oil the blades regularly, clean the blades, send to a professional sharpening service |
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What You'll Learn
Using a whetstone or sharpening stone
To use a whetstone, first prep the stone by lubricating it with either water or honing oil. Next, disassemble the scissors by unscrewing them and place one blade on the stone. The blade should be flat and facing down, with the cutting edge half on the whetstone. Now, drag the blade up and down or back and forth on the stone's surface 10 to 20 times. Repeat this process with the other blade. If your scissors are very dull, start with the coarse side of the stone, then move to the finer side. If they only need a light sharpening, use only the fine side.
After sharpening, use a damp paper towel to clean the blades and ensure they are completely clean before cutting hair. You can test the sharpness by cutting through a small section of hair. If the scissors are pulling or bending the hair, repeat the sharpening process.
It's important to note that sharpening hair cutting shears can be tricky, and it's easy to ruin a pair of scissors if you don't know what you're doing. If you're unsure, it's best to leave it to a professional sharpening service.
Additionally, the type of whetstone you use may depend on the style of your shears. For example, beauty shears are convex on the outside and hollow ground on the inside, requiring a different technique to standard scissors.
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Applying hair clipper oil
Regularly applying hair clipper oil is essential to keep your clippers functioning optimally and helping them last longer. Oiling the blades on your hair clippers reduces friction and snagging, prevents damage, and extends the life of your blades. It also helps to prevent overheating and reduces friction that can wear down the blade.
To apply hair clipper oil, first, unplug or turn off your clippers. Then, if your model allows, remove the clipper blades for a thorough clean. Oil works best on clean metal, so use a small brush or toothbrush to remove hair buildup. Wipe the blades with a soft cloth or paper towel. For a deeper clean, use rubbing alcohol, but let the blades dry fully before applying oil.
Once the blades are clean, add a few drops of oil to the blades. You can use a dropper or travel bottle to apply the oil. Then, turn the clippers on and let the blades run for a couple of minutes. This will help to further hone the blades.
Finally, turn the clippers off and wipe away any excess oil from the blades and casing with a clean cloth. Turn the clippers on again and let them run for a few seconds before turning them off again. Your clippers are now ready to use.
It is recommended to apply hair clipper oil after every two or three uses, or more often in high humidity. You can also apply a couple of drops of oil before testing the sharpness of the blades.
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Using a knife sharpener
First, disassemble the shears by unscrewing them. Then, place the knife sharpener on a flat surface and position the blade of one half of the shears facing down into the sharpener. Using light pressure, move the blade back and forth across the knife sharpener. Repeat this process for the other half of the shears, sharpening each side about 15-20 times. Finally, wipe down the blades with a damp paper towel or cloth to remove any metal bits or debris.
If you are unsure about your technique, it is recommended to practice on an old pair of shears first. Alternatively, you can take your shears to a professional sharpening service, which will ensure a precise and accurate sharpening.
Other methods to sharpen hair cutting shears include using sandpaper, aluminum foil, a sharpening stone, or a sewing pin. These methods are great for light sharpening and maintaining your shears in good condition. However, for extremely dull shears, a professional sharpening service is likely the best option.
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Cutting through sandpaper
Using sandpaper is a simple and fast way to sharpen hair cutting shears at home. It is suitable for scissors that are not extremely dull but need some touch-up sharpening. The sandpaper also helps smooth out nicks and indents on the blades.
To sharpen your shears with sandpaper, first fold the sandpaper in half with the rough sides facing out. Then, hold the sandpaper in one hand and the scissors in the other. Open the scissors as wide as possible, and stick the sandpaper all the way into the base of the blades. Now, close the scissors to cut through the sandpaper. Make 10 to 20 cuts in this manner to fully sharpen the blades. Finally, wipe the scissors with a damp towel to remove any sandpaper residue.
For a sharper finish, you can use a sharpening stone instead. First, use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the scissor blades together. Then, place one of the blades flat on top of the sharpening stone with the angled, exterior side facing down. Drag the blade across the surface of the sharpening stone with the cutting edge of the blade trailing behind. Do this 10 to 20 times, then flip the blade over and drag it in the opposite direction.
You can also use aluminum foil to sharpen your hair cutting shears. Take a piece of aluminum foil, about 8-10 inches long, and fold it lengthwise multiple times to create a thick, folded strip. The added layers will help sharpen the blades multiple times with each cut. Cut strips of the aluminum foil with your scissors until you've cut through the entire thick strip.
Other methods to sharpen hair cutting shears include using a knife sharpener, a whetstone, or a sharpening file. Additionally, professional sharpening services are available and can provide precise and accurate results.
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Sending them to a professional sharpening service
If you're looking for a quick and easy solution, sending your electric hair cutting shears to a professional sharpening service is a great option. Reputable scissor sharpening services can be found across the USA, offering either in-person or postal sharpening options. This method is particularly recommended if your shears are expensive, as it will ensure a precise and accurate sharpening.
Professional sharpening services will use specialist tools and techniques to sharpen your shears, restoring them to their former sharpness. This is a more costly option, and you will be without your shears for a period of time, but it guarantees a high-quality sharpening. It is also a good way to ensure the safety of your shears, as they will be handled by trained professionals.
When selecting a sharpening service, it is important to choose a competent and well-trained provider who can sharpen your specific type of shears. Convex and bevel edge hair blades are the most common types of blade and can be sharpened by most professional services. However, thinning shears, for example, require more precision and should be handled with care.
Professional sharpening services typically recommend that you get your shears sharpened at least once or twice a year. However, if you are a barber, you may find that you need to sharpen your shears more often, as they will be used more frequently and may be subject to more wear and tear.
Overall, sending your electric hair cutting shears to a professional sharpening service is a reliable and effective way to ensure your shears are sharpened correctly and maintained properly.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to sharpen hair cutting shears at home. One way is to use a sharpening stone, also known as a whetstone, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Place the hair scissors on top of the sharpening stone so that the blade is flat and facing down. Use light pressure as you move the blade of the scissors back and forth across the whetstone. Do this for about 15-20 strokes on each side of the blade. You can also use a knife sharpener, sandpaper, a grinding wheel, or aluminum foil.
If you are having trouble cutting with your hair cutting shears, they might need to be sharpened. Signs of dull shears include jagged ends and the illusion of split ends. You can test the sharpness of your shears by cutting through a section of hair. If you struggle to cut through the hair, or the scissors are pulling or folding the hair, they likely need to be sharpened.
If you don't have access to a sharpening stone, there are alternative methods you can use to sharpen your hair cutting shears. One way is to use aluminum foil. Take a piece of aluminum foil and fold it lengthwise multiple times to create a thick strip. Cut strips from this thick strip using your shears. You can also use a knife sharpener, sandpaper, or a grinding wheel.
