Sharpening Barber Scissors

I have been sharpening my barber's scissors for a few years now. I remove very little material with my 8000 grit whetstone so they can be resharpened many times.

[@stillchaos]

I'm a Barber & when I was in school the instructor said to always get a professional sharpener to do the shears. But for a DIY that's a great.job. I'm definitely going to try this on my C-MON Saber Shears.

[@horrid9809]

wear gloves too, dont want to cut yourself

[@kelliew.4285]

Thanks! Ive watched several videos and didnt kno I should pull the scisssors away after cutting. I was reopening them lol. Now I feel confident that my scissors are sharp.

[@djl9010]

Some advice for anyone watching this video and wanting to try this out on an expensive pair of shears, practice with cheap shears first and make sure to buy a high end stone. Your stone doesn't have to be the best of the best or anything, just make sure what you're going to get is a true 8000 grit stone. I.e don't sharpen a $400 pair of shears on a $20 "8000" grit stone because that cheap stone won't be the grit it says it is. Some really nice options would be the Shapton ceramic stones, or a stone from Naniwa ( which I believe is what he's using in the video although I'm not positive it could also be a King).

[@ali-25yearsold]

Thanks

[@eddyvideostar]

To DJL: So; Is the finer the grit, the better? How about very fine sandpaper?

[@djl9010]

@@eddyvideostar That's a good question, if we're specifically talking about touching up scissors or shears that are in good condition and just need some touching up (as in they don't have any chips or damage to their cutting surfaces) then for the most part the answer is yes but only up to a point. 8000 grit is generally going to be the best for this application, but that's not to say 6000, 7000, 9000, etc. won't work. You don't want to go with too low of a grit because you can easily end up taking off too much metal and inadvertently changing the angles of the two blades. This will result in scissors that don't cut right anymore. You also don't want to go too high because you can end up just polishing dull blades and not actually making them any sharper. That said, it is significantly better to go too high instead of too low, because you can always just lower the grit you're using bit by bit until you find one that works well. Whereas if you start too low it's easy to end up in the situation I described above and often there isn't a way to fix that once it happens. As far as sand paper goes, it can be a great tool for sharpening as long as you can get the grit you need. I often use sandpaper glued to wood to sharpen knives and axes in the field. Specifically talking about sharpening scissors, then as long as you can find a high enough grit it'll work just fine. I wouldn't go lower than 6000 grit though at least not to start. Now I do want to say that my expertise in sharpening is vastly skewed more towards knives and axes rather than scissors, I really only sharpen scissors once in a while. So, while I personally wouldn't go lower than 6000, someone with more experience with scissors might be able to give you advice about using a lower grit. Because this reply isn't already too long, I do want to reiterate that the above advice is really only for scissors and shears. If we're talking about knives or other blades that don't have to interface with another blade at a specific angle then it's fairly hard to actually ruin them beyond repair.

[@DiannaAtherton]

First attempt you had the scissors backwards lol. It's all good. After sharpening you did good

[@87Rado]

Great video. Never sharpened scissors before. Watched your vid, tried the wet tissue test, would not cut period, resulting in nothing but binding. Sharpened on a stone following the existing angle. wet tissue test, snip snip snip pass!ed!! Thanks,

[@frenchriversprings]

Glad my video helped. ☺️

[@eddyvideostar]

To ^*GTO: What type of stone?

[@steelforge08]

thanks this helped a lot my cousin is a stylist she asked me to sharpen her scissors, said she paid a guy to do it last week but he screwed up big time. anyways I sharpen lots of knives but wasn't sure how to approach these expensive scissors, so thanks they turned out great

[@giancarlorivera8113]

Thanks for this tip, the cutting of wet tissue helped me determine which of my scissors need sharpening, I ended up with 8 slightly dull scissors. I used a 6000 grit King Deluxe whetstone and it worked great. Now I can enjoy cutting hair precisely.

[@frenchriversprings]

That’s Awesome!

[@michaeljames8291]

My daughter is a cosmetologist and I want to make sure her clippers, trimmers and shears are always sharp. Great video.

[@Slouworker]

Hope you didn't. Just pay a professional instead of ruining someone else's property if you don't know what you're doing

[@tsaiyana]

Thanks for this. I had a crappy sharpener and it ruined 3 pairs of my shears. Will purchase this wet stone thanks!

[@bucko1948]

If you care to send me some photos of the shears., I may be able to repair them.

[@zelby90]

Thank you kind sir. You helped me today form a disaster. If we could meet one day , I would buy you a dinner and beer. Thank you again. Cheers.

[@vvayfarer_]

I came here because I did this and it did the opposite. So now I know how to do it. Very useful video.

[@deankay4434]

Very informative yet I am dealing with scissors bent. In my bathroom mirror, two lights flank the sides called pendant lamps. At 6'3" my wife has her mirrors adjusted to I see concrete or the rear seat belts. But, she re-hung a lamp on a chain, son stepped on scissors and bent them very slightly. I have been working on cars since the 1970's, an ASE Master since 78, so files, wet-stones are in my tool boxes, as retired. So looking for daylight between the blades and good info on sharpening. A vise with copper (Brass Jaw Inserts) but as prices climb in uncle joes economy, I fix what I have in this "Throw-A-Way" society. Maybe it is the farm kid in me as the oldest who are the Original Recyclers. Just learning! Thanks! DK, ASE Master Tech since 78. Retired.

[@gypsygirl731]

i saw you do one side do you do both side of shears..there are a few whetstones 8000 grits one is by kota is that the one you use. from amazon? and do oyu spray soap and water on the stone or just plain water

[@adrianpierce3047]

thanks, really good tip with the wet kitchen paper

[@RavenVargas27]

My hair cutting scissors need this thanks for the helpful demo

[@ramanvohra62]

Thanks a lot ! Please name the brand of the wet sharpening stone and provide the link for purchasing !

[@queeny6226]

THANKS ! REALLY HELPFUL BUT CAN YOU USE THEM ON SERRATED (SELF SHARPENING) SCISSORS??? mine are fine its just the ends that are catching!

[@northtestedknives4808]

hello! thanks so muc for the info, how o you sharpen the serrated sciccors? the barber i went to had a pair that looke like a seriese of small scallops

[@roxysophia7]

Thank you for sharing this tool, question does it works with sewing scissors? Where can I buy it?

[@nancy3720]

What kind of scissors are pointed on one blade and blunt on the other

[@JonR35]

Do you sharpen both sides of the blade

[@barbertj7216]

wondering if its okay to do this to Samurai scissors?

[@lasetlivingstin7752]

Thanks a bunch!..

[@devili7y585]

J'aime beaucoup tes vidéos, tu expliques très bien ce que tu fais, continue comme ça ! ( Je précise que j'habite en France, et j'ai 21 ans, voilà ^^)

[@frenchriversprings]

Merci!!

[@robg836]

Thanks you

[@joshuamercedtv]

What's the brand of those scissors? Leave me a link.

[@suffolkgroomersmelaniewarn9211]

what type of sharpening block are you using please

[@oji4euis]

Hi hello dear, hope you doing well. Just want to know , is the same do to make scissors more sharp for fabrics? Thankyou

[@Trebor998]

So you only sharpen the bevel not the backs?

[@OggeViking]

Very nice.

[@melanieciacchi8822]

I didn't know about the wet tissue test lol now I have to go test all my shears

[@hassanmehar1237]

Hello mam

[@CiaranRooney125]

Hey bud, thanks for the video, was just wondering if you strop the edge at all after?

[@syndicateproductionstarana4925]

Yes ..I use a 1500 grit to condition my stone which is exactly like the one here..I'm Scizorman New Zealand..under the tap I give it a light fluff up after every use when I'm washing my stone.i have a machine and setter aswell..

[@mjremy2605]

@@syndicateproductionstarana4925 Please explain your methods a bit more. Do you strop scissors after the 8000 grit whetstone sharpening? Is stropping like honing knives? Why don't they strop knives too? What does the 1500 grit do - rough up the 8000 grit whetstone to remove metal dust? How is this done - under the tap?

[@crypton1782]

@@mjremy2605 You can strop knives to get the burr off, I do it myself and it gives my knives a much better edge than just honing on my 5000 grit Naniwa whetstone. And with 1500 grit you could remove metal dust that is put into the pores of the stone while sharpening and also flatten it a bit after using it. Usually you would use a nagura or dressing stone for that. As to if they strop the scissors after the 8000 grit stone.. it looks like they don't and maybe that's because closing the scissors could potentially push off the burr already and so maybe stropping isn't necessary but I would say it can't hurt to strop it if you can properly maintain the angle that you used when sharpening

[@minoz55]

You dont want to strop scissors. The leather is meant to give, smoothening a knife's edge angle. With scissors, you want that edge angle as harsh as possible.

[@pipedreams57]

I only saw one of the two blades being sharpened. Do you do both?

[@steventrosiek2623]

Yes

[@CSGraves]

So with these shears, there's a slight convex to the edge profile? Prior to coming here, I saw another youtuber say you should only send barber's scissors/hair shears to a professional for sharpening... he then proceeded to sharpen a pair of general use scissors by moving the stone down the edge.... seemed like a recipe for an inconsistent angle to me!

[@frenchriversprings]

I have been sharpening my barbers scissors for a few years now. He told me that I do a better job than when he used to pay $35 per scissor by a professional. If you look carefully I turn the scissor a bit to give it a convex grind and I only use my 8000 grit stone for barber scissor.

[@CSGraves]

Ahhh, essentially similar to a technique for knives with convex edges. Convex seems more intuitive than fixed angles, but some folk seem to flourish sharpening things with fixed angles. Different strokes, wha?

[@claytonmcguffee9639]

CSGraves you

[@stevepailet8258]

yup definitely good entertainment is the correct category

[@mazharsaleem9620]

Which scissor size is best?

[@JenniferBuechner]

Sharpening starts at 1:28

[@gabitrandafir8396]

Did you only sharpen one blade or both? One side of the blade or both sides? Thanks

[@mjremy2605]

He said both sides of blade to another comment.

[@colinainstruments4320]

Good technique dear ,

[@mjremy2605]

Don't call someone a 'dear' unless you are sleeping with them or they are your child or close relative.

[@Cindy54504]

You used the scissors backwards the firs time, the big screw was facing left, when you did the first test and the screw was to the right the second test.

[@hulapapa6459]

It right! Good eye

[@jessiegoodling3481]

WHICH SIDE TO SHARPEN? ONLY ONE?

[@dessertstorm7476]

i have a problem where the scissors are sharp except for at the tip. I tried many times to sharpen but the last 1/4" or so always remains blunt.

[@vanna13v]

Me too. It pulls hair.

[@boridebrooklyn8300]

Dessert Storm bro do u have a mullet ?!?!?

[@YourAssAintSafe]

U find out how to get around that

[@gregmccormack5709]

Sometimes the scissor body is bent ... or needs to be bent so that after sharpening the scissors can properly close after the metal has been removed. I'm assuming there must be some kind of tool to do this properly without ruining them.

[@phoenixdragonkungfu]

Greg McCormack I would try evening out the pressure to the tip. You may be exerting the pressure unevenly concentrated at the juncture of the two blades.

[@MrReyes-bq1xh]

How much can you charge for this?

[@lilfaithieegee8020]

Just sharpened them real quick before work lol thenks!

[@riteshkakkar9274]

what is sissors

[@sadeemafridi596]

Where i find this stone for sharp..

[@barbertj7216]

how about to sharpen clippers blades?

[@prettyinpink7058]

Where can I buy this?

[@swtxvi3txhuni]

Do you sharpen both sides?

[@lorihutch1911]

Do you sharpen each side? Not front and back.... but each blade?

[@user-mm6vt8mb3w]

А какой используется камень?

[@MariaHudanish]

What is the name of the stone you used to sharpen the scissors ?? I need to buy it. Help !! Please let me know,, Maria

[@simpleforging3339]

shapton 8000 grit is a good choice. Not too cheap and not too pricy

[@RobertOrgRobert]

Surly a barber should be capable of sharpening his own scissors

[@75julianne]

Robatman no, most cosmetologists send theirs out to be sharpened. As he said barber sheers are very expensive.

[@RobertOrgRobert]

Thank you, Julianne , stay sharp, stay safe :)

[@wookiebeefs8992]

Where do you buy an 8000 grit whetstone

[@wookiebeefs8992]

@@jrowe9301 Thank you so much!

[@wookiebeefs8992]

@@jrowe9301 I actually never knew that. My family is full of barbers and beauticians so I was considering picking up sharpening as they spend a lot on sharpening scissors. Thanks for the advice!

[@robertmunguia250]

Would a 5000 grit work? Shapton.

[@PhilKoenigBrooklyn]

It appears that as you are passing the blade over the stone you are rolling it a bit. Is that true or is it an optical delusion?

[@simpleforging3339]

I asked my barber what he does when his blades become dull. He says most all barbers buys disposable scissors so I figure I should learn to sharpen them eh :) Good instructional video here, thanks

[@flyandshy00]

I suppose the scissors they buy must be under 100 bucks, because I have read people's reviews on kasho scissors and they said they used them for 5 years and didn;t need to sharpen them in that period of time.

[@giancarlorivera8113]

Not all, mine is still usable after years of use, you just need to buy a quality made in Japan scissors and maintain it.

[@milliem8051]

Can you use a knife sharpener? My scissors failed the wet tissue test. Know any good affordable scissors for at home hair trimming?

[@ellieschramm9765]

Fromm makes good ones. Check out Sally’s

[@milliem8051]

Ellie Schramm thanks!

[@Furen]

To further clarify, I know little about barber shears, but I do know that regular knife sharpener will not work. They'd screw them up because they're built to make a V edge, and won't properly get the whole blade. It would be a mess.

[@milliem8051]

@Ren thanks! I bought some new ones that seem sharper. I only use them to trim split ends so they don’t have to be professional quality.

[@inityo]

Been trying this for a bit, not sharpening at all

[@jonibisbee1594]

Curious when you wet the first tissue, you cut and pulled on the dry side. Then on the second tissue you cut through the wet side? Anyone else notice??

[@Landybandy1]

Drips water on both sides he cut, so definitely wet on both tests.

[@sohibussaifbarbershop4190]

is it ok to use a 10000 grit stone?

[@ollie7070]

It would take a bit longer if theyre really dull but itll get a finer edge

[@boridebrooklyn8300]

Colin King how bout 1000000 grit ???

[@welcome-to-Morocco]

Where can I get this stone?

[@veronicadiaz3024]

Dollar tree

[@CorkyMcButterpants]

-So 'kinda get it a certain angle'... then as you do the stroke, 'kinda change the angle a little bit steeper'. Gotcha. Where would us mere mortals be without you.- *** *** This comment brought to you by doofus who can't recognise high-end convex shaped blades.

[@gregmccormack5709]

I think what he means is the high end scissor edges are convex ( and you have to use a rocking motion to get from the back of the profile all the way to the apex of the edge. This is why a lot of sharpeners can ruin high end scissors if they make them flat with a machine.

[@CorkyMcButterpants]

@@gregmccormack5709 Thank you Greg. I had assumed the scissors to be bevelled, so I was horrified at his technique (hence the snippy comment lol). You make an excellent point there. Well spotted.

[@ranilalappan6122]

Too good

[@Louise-qk2po]

I have just purchased an 8000/10000 grit whetstone for my hair scissors only. Nothing sharpens like a whetstone, wow my kitchen knives are lethal now! So be careful with knives and scissors guys because they will be sharper than sharp!!!!

[@rockets4kids]

Where did you hear about the wet tissue test? I just tried this with a pair of $20 craft scissors I sharpened recently and it passes just fine. Given the relatively low quality of these scissors (relative to barber shears) and my extremely minimal experience sharpening scissors I question how much of a test this really is.

[@frenchriversprings]

My Barber showed me that test . when he gives me his dull scissors, they won't cut the wet tissue

[@muaythaiforme]

You can get cheap metal and expensive metal just as sharp. Where the expensive ones shine is how long the metal keeps an edge, hardness of the metal (heat treating) and corrosive resistance. That's the big difference.

[@rockets4kids]

@@muaythaiforme That's not entirely true. Some cheap steels are an absolute bitch to sharpen, and you'll never get them properly sharp. Great steels tend to be ridiculously easy to sharpen. Good steel can get just as sharp as great steels but it generally requires considerable skill on the part of the sharpener.

[@muaythaiforme]

@@rockets4kids great steels usually have a considerable hardness to them. Which causes chipping and pitting cause they're brittle. It's difficult and time consuming to rid of those burrs and make a sharp straight angle again. Look up steels like elmax, M390 and CTS-204. Very difficult to sharpen

[@rockets4kids]

@@muaythaiforme It is the cheap/soft steels which form tenacious burrs which are difficult to remove. Steels like elmax, M390 and CTS-204 are *easy* to sharpen. The people having problems sharpening them aren't using the correct stones.

[@josefreitas4751]

Hello, I live in Portugal, where can I find a stone like yours?

[@frenchriversprings]

Jose Freitas on the internet. Just do a search for 8000 grit Japanese whetstone

[@josefreitas4751]

French River Springs , I have found this one from China, you think its Will get the job done? www.ebay.com/itm/131516941890?var=430888389006

[@veronicadiaz3024]

I've seen it at Dollar tree

[@cherp5837]

Genius

[@kingpineapple6969]

So are we just not going to mention the soul cringing sounds on the whetstone?

[@mjremy2605]

No.

[@kurtisbubier2303]

The angle must be precise. This is not precise. This is how you hone the ride, or the underside of the shear with them taken apart. You must also keep your stone flat by honing the stone on a flat surface which there are a few different ways to do.

[@mikelbb.1670]

You never cut paper with shears. Hair only. Paper dulls them

[@pabloflorio4349]

Should also say how to turn on some lights😉

[@Serg578]

Таким способом ножницы для стрижки волос не заточить. In this way, the hair clippers are not sharpened.

[@mjremy2605]

Then how do you sharpen them? Please tell us. I have to fix my scissors fast. Тогда как их затачивать? Пожалуйста скажи нам. Мне нужно быстро поправить ножницы.

[@WonderBread23]

I liked

[@frenchriversprings]

Thanks

[@tgrady2570]

Is there a particular brand of whetstone you'd recommend?

[@frenchriversprings]

It’s hard to go wrong with a whetstone made in Japan.

[@_WARL0CK_]

Shapton stones.

[@giancarlorivera8113]

King Deluxe

[@purplecabbage4406]

I just dont have a Japanese Stine lying around lol

[@asherking47]

Just got a stone like yours. But it will not stay wet at all! What's the trick??

[@heidimck69]

Mark Berberian you have to soak the stone unless its worn in or ceramic

[@asherking47]

Heidi Mckay got it figured out, thx

[@StaceysDogGrooming]

you are using oil right, dont use water...

[@awsomesauce03]

Staceys Dog Grooming are you serious rn

[@daryladams1]

Oil? LMAO.. They are called "water stones" for a reason..

[@LokendraSingh-uh2zj]

Price kitana h

[@WonderBread23]

Hi dude

[@willymead2732]

They aren't called scissors when used for cutting hair. They are called shears. 😉

[@uncreator3607]

i think it doesnt need sharpen all the black stuff are in the way if you take it off its good to go

[@dennischua3956]

1:40

[@evgeniy7sot]

У меня домашние ножницы так режут

[@mjremy2605]

Это японский точильный камень зернистостью 8000. Убедитесь, что это дорогой точильный камень, потому что более дешевые повредят лезвие.

[@pailoxdd]

wow, i sharpened the wrong side before watching the video and it was dull af xD

[@palm0018]

Did you sharpen handles?)

[@yiebarbershop5594]

saya dari malaysia.saya dah cuba dan berjaya menjadi tajam

[@rumputkusegar1913]

Wow

[@benbentley4674]

I’d rather someone come out to the shop and use a machine to sharpen them. Great video though👍👍

[@atstancioff]

It's great how you said you were going to show how to sharpen and then not show.

[@MierCatCustomz]

im pretty sure he showed you bro.. pull head out of butt and replay

[@WonderBread23]

I was the first one

[@rsedwin]

Sorry i spoil my scissors please don't try if your not professional

[@bucko1948]

I appreciate the cautious approach taken here. 1.. Fine Stone. 2. Pointing out that cheap crap stones are, well, cheap crap. I realize that being barber scissors there is likely no ride line, but why was the inside not flattened with just a few light strokes? BTW - I sharpen shears and scissors with both a flat hone or by hand as appropriate. If I may make a positive suggestion. While the wet tissue test is good, use cheap single-ply toilet paper for the most stringent test, followed by hair. I got a $40 mannequin head with lots of hair off Amazon. You can get them cheaper, but I wanted one a little bit better.

[@isabellagrnneskov3537]

I thought barbers' scissors are serrated and therefore cannot be sharpened like that.

[@joewolfeimap3do331]

Cutting tissue is made of the something as paper

[@stanleyeis73]

He is holding the shears upside down when cutting the wet tissue! Am I the only one!

[@ChrisRakoczy]

Won't that affect the cut? Upside down to show the "before" pull cut, the upside right to show the "after" clean cuts.

[@daryladams1]

First thing I noticed... Tried to pull a fast one...

[@johnjomp]

Yes, it does affect the way the shear will cut.

[@tterry53]

Can't see what you are doing with your hand in the way. Move the camera!

[@JeremyAndACat]

Terry Tate he did.

[@cuestbeats]

02:10

[@thing2521]

he is using a WHETSTONE not wet stone. haha

[@stevepailet8258]

love how he has no clue about set and ride work.

[@kirbylee57]

He doesn't need to.

[@solidgroundministries6469]

Their called shears NOT scissors!

[@Daledavispratt]

Very vague about the "angle" description.."kinda" in an "instructional" video means you really shouldn't be doing instructional videos..does more harm than good.

[@Bigruss974]

I'm sure you sharpened them just fine, but if my shear sharpener cut anything but human hair with my shears I'd be upset. Because they are not for cutting napkins, neck strips, paper towels, dog hair, just human hair .

[@snipper1ie]

All sharpeners remove the burr by cutting tissue paper of one sort or another. One has to have a constant material for the length of the blade. It will be one cut to remove the burr. I then test on cling film(Saran Wrap). If the scissors cut cling film cleanly, they'll cut any hair.

[@donnyyork2149]

You're not clear or expansive enough about the angle to be positioning the edge as you work.

[@huichothebarber9955]

$400? That’s cheap. Some go for $4000 or more