Sharpening Your Kitchen Shears Is Easier Than You May Have Thought

Like any tool with a blade, kitchen shears can become dull over time, which can make those everyday kitchen jobs a lot harder than they need to be. The good news? Sharpening them is way easier than you might think, and it doesn't involve any fancy gadgets or professional sharpening services. In fact, you probably have the one tool you need already sitting in your kitchen drawer: a honing rod. Yes, that same rod you use for sharpening your knives can bring your shears back to life too. If you don't have one yet, you can find honing rods for only $8.

Many people think that sharpening is a complex process or requires specialized tools, but it's really just about restoring the blade's edge. Honing rods don't technically sharpen in the same way a whetstone does. Instead, they realign the blade, which gets misaligned during everyday use. This realignment is often enough to bring back that nice, clean cut your shears used to have.

Not sure how to do it? Don't worry; the process is more simple than it sounds. In no time, you'll be back to snipping herbs and opening difficult plastic packages with ease. As mentioned, all you need is your shears and a honing rod. Just make sure your shears are clean before you start. If they're caked with food or grease, give them a good wash with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly. This will give you a clean surface to work with and help ensure a more effective sharpening.

Once your shears have dried, grab your honing rod and hold it in your non-dominant hand, maintaining a firm grip to prevent any slipping during the process. Position the rod at a slight angle,with the tip resting on a non-slip surface like a dish towel. Apply just enough pressure to keep it steady without overdoing it.

Next, take one blade and place the cutting edge against the honing rod. Gently but firmly, pull the blade down the rod from base to tip. You don't need to exert much pressure; just enough to keep the blade in contact with the rod. Repeat this motion several times, covering the entire edge. Once you've finished with the first blade, move on to the second one, following the same steps: steady the rod, hold the blade at the correct angle, and pull it down in smooth strokes. If your shears are particularly dull, you may need to do a few extra passes on each blade, but for regular maintenance, just a few strokes should suffice.

After sharpening the dull scissors, put them to the test. Try cutting through a piece of paper or some thin fabric to gauge how smoothly the blades slice. If they're not quite there yet, feel free to repeat the process until you achieve the desired sharpness.