Using a Whetstone to Sharpen Scissors

A sharpening stone, which is sometimes called a bench stone or whetstone, is the simplest, most traditional way to sharpen scissors. The stone has two sides: typically one coarse 400-grit surface and one finer 1,000-grit side. Always begin sharpening on the coarse side of the stone.

Start by wetting the surface of the stone with either honing oil or plain water. Then, lay the inside surface of the scissor blade flat on the stone. Apply light downward pressure and draw the blade across the entire length of the stone, moving from the base to the tip. Depending on the dullness of the blade, 10 to 20 strokes will usually suffice.

Next, use a permanent marker to draw a black line along the blade’s beveled cutting edge. The line will act as a visual guide, indicating when the entire edge has been sharpened. Set the blade on the stone and adjust it so that the beveled cutting edge is flat against the stone.

While maintaining this angle, draw the blade across the stone five or six times. Stop and check the black ink line to ensure you’re holding the blade at the proper angle. Continue sharpening until the black ink line is gone and the entire edge is shiny, indicating the blade is sharp.

After sharpening, check for burrs along the inner edge of the blades. Remove the burrs by laying the inner edge of the blade flat on the stone and then drawing it very lightly across the stone.

Now, flip the stone over, wet the surface, and hone the blade’s cutting edge to super-sharpness by drawing its beveled edge across the fine-grit side of the stone. Again, 10 to 20 strokes are sufficient.

Repeat the steps described above to sharpen and hone the other scissor blade.