Topic: First Scissors to try sharpening.

[dusmif]

Hi, I need some help and advice on these scissors.
After I impressed my wife with a couple of kitchen knives I have sharpened ( doing some training, not so happy with the final result, but she liked them ) I was asked if I could sharpen her scissors.
So, to justify my investment in the Tormek, I said, no problem.
Now, before I commit suicide I wish to have some hints, advice how I should tackle this, especially  after I noticed that these scissors  seems to have 2 bevels; ( see photo ) they can be separated if needed.
Can I do them freehand or shall I buy the SVX-150 Scissors jig.
Thanks
Alf.

[john.jcb]

The first thing I would suggest is to watch a couple of videos on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVl8lTiMlAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFeBd8ZspM

I would not do this freehand.The angle is such that in my opinion you really need the jig. I have done a number of scissors and I think there is a definite learning curve involved. I did my first sharpening on sacrificial scissors where there was no loss if I was not successful. After that I found a box of scissors at work that were going to be discarded (thanks to going pretty much paperless) and worked on those. I have since done a few for customers. One thing I found was that many of the scissors were gummed up with glue from tape. I started all with a good cleaning. I also found that many needed tightening and a drop of lubrication. This actually brought some back into the serviceable region. I used a marker when setting the angle as I found that there is no standard angle especially between brands. Take your time and do not apply too much pressure.

[dusmif]

The first thing I would suggest is to watch a couple of videos on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVl8lTiMlAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFeBd8ZspM

I would not do this freehand.The angle is such that in my opinion you really need the jig. I have done a number of scissors and I think there is a definite learning curve involved. I did my first sharpening on sacrificial scissors where there was no loss if I was not successful. After that I found a box of scissors at work that were going to be discarded (thanks to going pretty much paperless) and worked on those. I have since done a few for customers. One thing I found was that many of the scissors were gummed up with glue from tape. I started all with a good cleaning. I also found that many needed tightening and a drop of lubrication. This actually brought some back into the serviceable region. I used a marker when setting the angle as I found that there is no standard angle especially between brands. Take your time and do not apply too much pressure.

Thank you John,
One question I assume that I have to follow the small bevel of the scissors not the big one, right ? which I think it is not an easy job trying to do it with the WM-200 angle master.
Thanks
Alf

[Jan]

Alf, you definitively need the Tormek Scissors jig as advised by John.

You will replicate the smaller cutting edge shown red in your picture. Please try to remove minimal necessary amount of steel. If you remove too much steel than it may happen that the tips do not meet again!

Some scissors blades during grinding strongly vibrate and produce strange howling sounds. To reduce this effect mount the blade in the jig with smallest possible protrusion.

Jan

[dusmif]

Alf, you definitively need the Tormek Scissors jig as advised by John.

You will replicate the smaller cutting edge shown red in your picture. Please try to remove minimal necessary amount of steel. If you remove too much steel than it may happen that the tips do not meet again!

Some scissors blades strongly vibrate in the jig and produce strange howling sounds. To reduce this effect mount the blade in the jig with smallest possible protrusion.

Jan

Thank you Jan for your informative advice.
I will order the scissor jig then.
Thanks
Alf

[RickKrung]

I agree with Jan.  I would not bother with the AngleMaster.  Just use the black marker and match the angle - of the small bevel.  I will reiterate that you definitely need the scissors jig.  Besides, the scissors jig platform is preferred by many for making other jigs.  It has better geometry than the other Tormek tool rests.

Rick

[dusmif]

I agree with Jan.  I would not bother with the AngleMaster.  Just use the black marker and match the angle - of the small bevel.  I will reiterate that you definitely need the scissors jig.  Besides, the scissors jig platform is preferred by many for making other jigs.  It has better geometry than the other Tormek tool rests.

Rick

Thank you Rick. will do. Now I think I have all the inforamtion I need.  I will watch  the vidoes  that John posted and hope for the best 

Thank you guys,
Alf.

[RichColvin]

Alf,

Jan’s comments are spot on. 

One more thing :  go slow and use VERY LITTLE PRESSURE!   Scissors grind down fast.  And you don’t want to go too far.

As for angles, Steve Bottorff provided his experience, and I’ve catalogued them on my Sharpening Handbook at http://sharpeninghandbook.info/index-SC.html .  One thing he noted is that some scissors have different angles for the two sides. 

Here’s a link to Steve’s detailed information:  https://sharpeningmadeeasy.com/scissor.htm

Kind regards,
Rich

[dusmif]

Thank You RichColvin for your advice and useful links.
Alf