Dull Scissors? Aluminum Foil to the Rescue! (It’s Probably Not What You Think)
Dull scissors are a frustrating kitchen (or craft room) nemesis. While professional sharpening is ideal, there’s a quick and easy trick using something you likely already have in your kitchen: aluminum foil. This isn’t quite the same as a professional sharpening, but it can definitely help realign the blades and give them a temporary edge, especially useful in a pinch.
Here’s the method:
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Fold and Cut: Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and fold it over several times, creating a thick, multi-layered pad. The thicker the foil, the better this works. Think of it like creating a slightly abrasive cutting board.
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Start Cutting: Take your dull scissors and start cutting through the foil. Make several long, continuous cuts, as if you were cutting fabric. The idea is to have the blades make contact with the foil repeatedly. You can also try cutting small, quick snips.
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Check the Edge: After several cuts, test your scissors on some paper or fabric. You should notice a slight improvement in their sharpness. Repeat the cutting process on the foil if needed.
Why does this work?
The theory is that the slightly abrasive nature of the aluminum foil can help to realign the microscopic teeth or imperfections on the scissor blades. It’s not truly sharpening them in the way a grinding stone would, but it can help to knock off any burrs or rolled edges that are causing the dullness and get them back into a more aligned position.
Important Notes:
- Temporary Fix: This aluminum foil trick is a temporary solution.2 It’s not a substitute for proper sharpening with a sharpening stone or by a professional. Think of it as a quick tune-up, not a complete overhaul.
- Not for All Scissors: This works best on regular household scissors. It’s not recommended for very fine, delicate scissors or specialized shears.
- Safety First: Be careful when cutting the foil, especially as the scissors get a little sharper. Keep your fingers away from the blades.
So, the next time your scissors are feeling a bit dull, give the aluminum foil trick a try. It’s a surprisingly effective way to get a little extra life out of your blades before they need a proper sharpening.
