Best Scissor Sharpeners for Precision Cuts and Snips

If you want to keep your scissors blades in good shape, you'll need to invest in a good sharpener. You don't want to have to buy and pay for a new pair of scissors every time your old ones become blunt. However, there are several aspects to consider before making a purchase. We have created this detailed buyer’s guide to help you make the best purchase.

What Are Some Key Things to Consider Before Buying The Best Scissor Sharpeners?

Safety

Scissor sharpeners should not have apparent sharp blades that could cause injury to your hands or fingers. If it's left on the top of a desk or counter, it shouldn't be a hazard. Most scissor sharpeners are designed to keep the sharpening mechanism hidden and away from exposed fingers to prevent accidents.

Speed

The issue with dull scissors is that they slow down the cutting process. When you need sharp scissors, you’ll probably want them fast. Is it worth investing in a sharpener that takes time and a bit of effort to sharpen your scissors when there are many that could do it in just a few swipes? Look for sharpeners that are efficient and reliable; having a fast sharpener will really make the purchase seem worthwhile.

Compactness

It's not only that a tiny sharpener is easy to use, but it's also simple to store and transport. You'll be able to take it with you and utilize it wherever you need it. You don't want anything that will accumulate clutter or take up valuable space. Make sure you get a sharpener that is small enough to be stored easily but effective enough to do the job right.

What to Look for in a Scissor Sharpener

Multitasking

For the most bang for your buck, consider getting a sharpener that is compatible with other utensils. Being able to sharpen your scissors, knives, or shears all with one device can be super handy.

Additional slots are available

Check to see if there are additional slots on the sharpener for different objects. Also, some sharpeners can only sharpen one blade at a time. To get the job done faster, look for sharpeners with two slots so you can sharpen both blades at once.

A good grip

It doesn't matter how competent a sharpener is; if it doesn't provide you a comfortable grip, don't buy it. If your sharpener has feet, there must be non-slip rubber beneath each foot. A good sharpener should have an ergonomic grip to make sure you have a good hold on it and don't risk injury.

Build Material

What if you purchase a cure-all medicine only to discover that the medicine is tainted? Are you going to get cured at all? Similarly, if your overall sharpener's material isn't up to par, it could break down at any point— you can't count on that for long-term service. Make sure the sharpener is made of durable material (most are made of strong plastics) that will last a long time.

Finger shield

Although scissor sharpeners have the least chance of injuring you, it is always a good idea to be cautious. As a result, if your sharpener has a finger guard, it is significantly better. A sharpener with a good grip and a finger shield is ideal so you keep your whole hand safe.

Maintenance

Because electric sharpeners have parts that cannot be washed with water, they require more maintenance than manual sharpeners. With electric sharpeners, there is also the issue of overheating.

Always read the instructions and assess the workload that it will be subjected to. Another aspect to think about is rust. Is the scissor sharpener resistant to rust? Is it easy to clean if necessary? Most manual scissor sharpeners require little maintenance.

What Are Some Aspects To Know About Before Buying Scissor Sharpeners?

Manual or automatic?

The first decision you must make is whether you want to manually pull the scissors through the sharpening or place them in and allow the sharpener to do the work for you. Both sharpening methods work well, and it's just a matter of determining how much control you want over the process. Automatic sharpeners are faster, but manual sharpeners give you more control.

Agent for Sharpening

The scissor sharpener can use diamond abrasives, carbide, tungsten, ceramic, and other materials to restore the edges on your blades. Diamond abrasives, which work best with the various varieties of sewing scissors, should be included in your sharpener. Pay special attention to the sharpening agent and choose one that will last.

Materials

Your scissor sharpener will only last as long as the materials it is made of, and thinner plastic will wear out far faster than thick ABS or stainless steel. Many sharpeners have a combination of the two, but you want the majority of your materials to be extremely durable so you don't have to replace the sharpener every year or two. The material of both the body and the sharpening agent need to be considered.

Handle

Because you'll be sharpening a blade with this tool, you'll want something that provides you a good grip while keeping your fingers out of the way of the blade. The handle should be large enough for you to comfortably grasp, and many of them have a rubber mold over the plastic to make it comfortable to use for long periods of time. If you have larger hands, double-check the handle size to ensure you don't buy something too small.

Versatility

Many scissor sharpeners give you more flexibility by allowing you to sharpen both serrated and non-serrated blades, as well as left and right-handed scissors. They may have additional sharpening slots or agents, and you want it to be as versatile as possible so you can get the most out of it.

Best Scissor Sharpeners FAQs

Q: What is the most effective method for sharpening scissors?
A: There are many effective options out there. Ideally, you want a scissor sharpener with a top-quality sharpening mechanism, material, and design to make your sharpening efficient and consistent.

Q: In my sharpener, how many slots should there be?
A: The most efficient sharpeners have two slots so you can sharpen both scissor blades at once, but some people prefer to sharpen one blade at a time. It really comes down to personal preference and if you wish to sharpen more than just scissors. If you’re looking to sharpen knives as well, you’ll need more slots.

Q: Is it possible for me to sharpen my Fiskar scissors on my own?
A: Not just Fiskar scissors, but also scissors of any brand and style can be sharpened with the correct scissor sharpener. You can opt to sharpen your Fiskars scissors with a Fiskars sharpener, but it is not required— you can use any brand of sharpener.