How To Sharpen Scissors With Knife Sharpener Rod?

Pardon me for giving you a guilt trip, but all you care about is your kitchen knives and bother least about your scissors. Tell me: when was the last time you sharpened your kitchen shears, office or table-top scissors? Probably never. When they get too blunt and give you a hard time doing the job, you throw them away and buy a new one. Although, you can make your scissors as good as new with some basic sharpening. It’s as simple as ABC. 

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Sharp scissors let you cut with ease and help you smooth-sail the task at hand. There are several ways to sharpen your scissors at home- in this blog, I will elaborate on how to sharpen scissors with a knife sharpener rod. The method is easy, quick and effective, so let’s get into the details, shall we?

How To Sharpen Scissors With Knife Sharpener Rod the Easy Way 

First, hold the scissors at a 15-20 degree angle against the rod, then gently draw the blades down the rod several times, alternating sides, until they are sharp. Isn’t it ridiculously simple?

What Will You Need To Sharpen Scissors With Honing Rod?

1. Honing rod
2. Scissors
3. Light oil or honing oil
4. Hand Towel

Step-by-Step Process of Sharpening Scissors

Whether you are a beginner or hesitant to try new ways, refer to this guide and trust me, with some practice- you will be able to sharpen like a pro. Here is an easy-breezy tutorial on how to sharpen scissors at home using a rod. 

Related: Knife Sharpener Vs Rod – Which One Is The Best?

• Clean Your Scissors

Start with wiping down your scissors with a hand towel to remove any dirt or debris that could damage the honing rod.

• Apply Oil To The Honing Rod 

Lightly coat the rod with honing oil or light cooking oil to help lubricate the blades and protect them from damage during the sharpening process. I recommend not skipping this step as it ensures effective sharpening and prevents your shears from getting ruined during the process.

• Hold The Honing Rod

Grip the honing rod securely in one hand- while holding the scissors in the other. Make sure to grasp the honing rod vertically with its tip resting on a stable surface. 

• Place The Scissors On The Honing Rod

Open the scissors and place the blades against the honing rod, with the blade bevel facing down. Now start at the tip and work your way towards the handle.

• Move The Scissors Down The Honing Rod

Gently move the scissors down the honing rod, keeping the blade facing down. Make sure to keep the angle of the blades against the honing rod consistent throughout the process.

• Repeat On The Other Side

Repeat the process on the other blade. Keep doing the drill until you are satisfied with the sharpness of the blades. 

• Test The Sharpness

After you’ve finished sharpening, test the sharpness of the scissors by cutting through a piece of paper. Do it over if the blades are still dull.

How To Sharpen Serrated Scissors Using Knife Sharpening Rod?

Above I have talked about a full-blown process to refine your shear, but when it comes to serrated scissors- you need to be a bit more careful. Sharpening serrated scissors with a honing rod can be trickier, but it can still be done! Here’s how:

1. Firstly, choose a honing rod with fine grit.
2. Open the scissors and place the blade into the V-slot of the honing rod, making sure the rod fits into the serrations.
3. Gently pull the edge through the rod- but be careful not to damage the serrated edge. 

Types of Knife Sharpening Rods To Choose From

Ceramic Rod

A ceramic honing rod is made with durable and long-lasting hardened ceramic material. It’s also rust-resistant, which makes it a great choice. 

• Advantage of Sharpening Scissors with Ceramic Rod

Ceramic rod is gentle on blades, which helps you maintain the edge by scraping too much metal off. It is helpful when sharpening delicate scissors, which can easily get damaged when abraded too aggressively. 

Diamond Rod

The diamond honing rod is made of a steel rod coated with diamond abrasives. The material is sturdier than traditional sharpening stones. 

• Advantage of Sharpening Scissors with Diamond Rod

The diamond abrasive is firm and durable enough to remove dull or damaged metal. It not only helps you to restore the edge- but also keeps your knives in good condition for a long time. Just apply a little honing oil before starting off to avoid the potential damage, and do not put too much pressure.

Carbide Rod

A carbide honing rod is a knife sharpening tool made of carbide- a stiff and durable material.

• Advantage of Sharpening Scissors with Carbide Honing Rod

Using a carbide rod to renew your scissors is a great way to refine the blades and bring them back to a sharp edge. The carbide material is tough enough to handle the strong steel used in scissors and can help realign the blades. Just be sure to keep a gentle touch and maintain the proper angle to avoid damaging the precious shears.

Tungsten Rod

A tungsten honing rod is made of tungsten, which is a strong and durable metal. It realigns and refines the edge of a worn-out knife. 

• Advantage of Sharpening Scissors with Tungsten Honing Rod

As mentioned above, tungsten is a robust and durable metal that can handle the most resilient steel used in scissors and help realign the blades. 

To use a tungsten honing rod on scissors, you’ll want to maintain a consistent angle and use a gentle touch to avoid harming the blades. It can be a quick and easy way to keep your scissors cutting smoothly.

Steel Rod

A steel honing rod is a knife-sharpening tool made of steel. It revives the dull knife by honing the edge of the blade.

• Advantage of Sharpening Scissors with Steel Honing Rod

The steel material can efficiently fine-tune the blades and render you a sharp edge. Steel rods provide an abrasive surface for removing small amounts of metal to create a sharp edge. It also offers control and precision, allowing for honing at the correct angle for optimal sharpness.