You’ve invested a lot of hard-earned money in the tools of your trade. To make the most of your investment, it’s important to keep your blades in tip-top shape.
Regular blade sharpening is the key to preserving the health of your bladed tools. From grooming scissors to industrial tools, regular sharpening creates sharp edges on your blades, allowing you to complete your work to a higher quality, and more quickly.
Sharpening your blades is important, but how exactly do you know when the time has come for a re-sharpen?
Well, there are several signs to watch out for that‘ll let you know when your tools are losing their edge.
Below, we’ve outlined the top 5 signs to keep an eye out for. Let’s get started!
When it comes to knives and scissors, the most straightforward way to know if they need sharpening is to examine the type of cuts they’re making.
Both knives and scissors should make clean, straight cuts.
For example, if you try to cut a tomato with a knife – it should slide through easily. But if your blade squishes the tomato or the blade catches on the skin, it’s time to get your knife sharpened.
Similarly, if you use dull scissors to cut hair, you’re likely to have a jagged, uneven cut or end up with more split ends than you started with.
Also, cutting with blunt scissors will also feel heavier in your hand, tiring out your wrist quicker. Blunt scissors tend to be louder when cutting than sharp ones – so keep an ear out for this, too.
Dog groomers and hairdressers can often figure out when their scissors and shearers need re-sharpening by how hair reacts to being cut.
When trimming hair, if the strands bend or fold, the scissors have grown dull or are losing their tension.
Many groomers and hairdressers also struggle with scissors pulling and grabbing on their client’s hair (both the human and four-legged kind).
This pulling happens when the hair stands latch on or catch to the uneven areas of the blade.
Sharpening your blades will smooth out this uneven area for quick, effortless cutting and a razor-sharp edge.
From kitchen knives and grooming scissors to clipper blades and industrial tools – all blades need regular sharpening to remain in top working condition.
Scissor tension refers to the tension of the screw holding the two separate blades together.
Having the correct tension in your scissors will ensure you get the best use out of them.
If the tension is too loose, it will cause your scissors to fold and bend the hair. But if it’s too tight, it will cause premature wear of the blade edges and user fatigue.
Scissors can lose their tension in several ways, often due to a washer or worn-out tension screw breakdown.
If you notice your scissors have lost their tension, then it’s best to avoid using them until they’ve been fixed.
Most scissors require sharpening every three to six months, so staying on top of this can keep your scissors in great shape.
Keeping industrial tools sharp with regular servicing is key to achieving maximum precision in every job you do.
When tools become blunt, they take more force to operate, which equals less control. This lack of control leads to less accurate cuts, jagged edges, and less-than-impressive end results.
Also, when working with dull industrial tools, you increase your risk of injury as applying extra force increases the chances of slippage.
From kitchen knives and grooming scissors to clipper blades and industrial tools – all blades need regular sharpening to remain in top working condition.
If it’s been some time since you last had your bladed items sharpened, then they might be due one.
Depending on the blade type, how often it’s used, and what it’s used for, the frequency of sharpening needed will vary. Jump to the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
For example, if you have grooming scissors or clippers that are only used a few times a year, they’ll only need to be sharpened once or twice a year.
But if you’re using these tools several times a day, you’ll need to have them serviced every two to three months to keep them in prime working condition.
At Leading Edge Sharpening, we pride ourselves in a professional and reliable tool sharpening service.
Our founder, Sherry Kremer, an American Sharpening Institute of Minnesota graduate, has over 25 years of experience in the dog-grooming business. After running her salon for 10 years, Sherry realized the vital role well-functioning tools play in running a successful business.
Serving customers across Canada through an efficient mail-in service, Leading Edge is trusted by groomers, hairstylists, chefs, industry, and hobbyists alike.
Along with a mail-in service, we offer four separate dropbox locations where you can safely drop off your tools for sharpening. We aim to service your tools to the highest standard and have them back to you in as little time as possible!
If you’re interested in working with Leading Edge, get in touch with us today. You can also check out the FAQ page for more information.
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