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How to Sharpen Barber Shears

silver and black scissors beside silver scissors

Sharpening Barber Shears

As a hairstylist, you realize barber shears aren’t like normal blades. You also know that dull shears can create a bad experience for you and your client, so you want to make sure that the edges of your blades are sharp. Nicks can pinch or pull hair, and that can create an upset customer. Not everyone knows how to sharpen barber shears, and the ones who do may lack the experience to do it themselves.

silver and black scissors. learn how to sharpen barber shears — Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Should you learn how to sharpen barber shears at home?

Since barber shears are unique, it’s unlikely you’ll find the tools required to sharpen barber shears in your home. There are many “quick fixes” available on the internet, but most of those will, at best, do nothing to sharpen the edge. At worst, these tips and tricks will result in a rounded or broken edge.

Common mistakes that have disastrous results involve sandpaper, aluminum foil, or home sharpening equipment. You may even consider using kitchen knife sharpening equipment. Each of these has its own pitfalls, and none of them will lead to a sharp pair of shears and a happy customer.

Instead, hire someone who already knows how to sharpen barber shears and has the tools readily available in their shop. Professional knife sharpening services may have what you’re looking for. In fact, HamBone Knives specializes in barber shears sharpening. We have the tools, experience, and knowledge required to bring your dull barber shears back to life.

About HamBone Knives

HamBone Knives is a professional knife sharpening service operating in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. For more details about how to get your knives sharpened, request a quote, or get a custom blade, contact us using the form below. Check out our Instagram for pictures of our products and services.

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The Best Way to Sharpen a Knife

What’s the best way to sharpen a knife?

Different knives require different sharpening methods. It’s not easy to give a one-size-fits-all response for the best way to sharpen a knife. There are at least two points to consider when learning how to sharpen a knife.

A knife crafted by using the best way to sharpen a knife. This image shows a knife that was custom made and sharpened by HamBone Knives. — A custom knife crafted and sharpened by HamBone Knives.

The best way to sharpen a knife depends on different methods to sharpen

To get a razor-sharp knife, you have to know the best techniques to reach the results you’re after. Unfortunately, there are many different knife sharpening philosophies that don’t all yield ideal results. Sorting through different articles with differing opinions can leave you disoriented.

Certain knives may require certain machinery to sharpen effectively. Some knives may require a slightly higher or lower sharpening angle compared to other blades. Not having access to these tools or knowledge will cause damage to your knife and reduce its lifespan.

The best way to sharpen a knife depends on different materials for sharpening

This really has two meanings. Blades made from different materials are going to require specialized care for that material. Trying to sharpen that knife by yourself may result in a worse experience than what you started with.

Beyond that, you need different sharpening materials for different knives. A quick Google search shows a variety of sharpening tools that have a specific purpose for specific blades. It’s unlikely that the common knife user will have those materials on hand, and it’s even more unlikely that the common knife user will have the experience necessary to use the tools correctly.

That last point causes people to buy into gimmicky knife sharpening tools that can actually cause damage to their blades. For example, pull-through knife sharpeners seem like a quick way to get a sharp knife, but in reality, they cause damage to the edge you’re trying to sharpen. Then what’s the solution?

The best way to sharpen a knife is to hire a professional

The best solution to the problems mentioned above is to hire a professional knife sharpening service. A professional will have the experience, material, and machines needed to ensure your knife gets that razor-sharpness you’re looking for. Instead of wondering if you’re sharpening at the right angle, using the proper stone, or damaging your blade, contact HamBone Knives to bring your dull blades back to life.

About HamBone Knives

Contact Hambone Knives

Professional Knife Sharpening

Why professional knife sharpening?

With the right skill set and tools, any knife can be razor-sharp. Yearly sharpening from a professional knife sharpening service can take any run-of-the-mill knife set from feeling underwhelming to feel like a top-of-the-line knife set. Most people who use knives don’t have the proper tools to sharpen their knives, and those that do may not have the time to dedicate to learning how to do it correctly. A knife sharpening professional has the right equipment, the skills, and the time to dedicate to your knives to make sure they’re at their best.

Expensive knives can come with better balance or edge retention after constant use. However, shelling out for brand-name knives isn’t the only way to achieve a razor-sharp blade.

Can’t I just do it myself?

With the right tools, you could sharpen your knives by yourself. However, it is more cost-effective in most cases to hire a professional knife sharpener. Many people who want to sharpen their knives fall for gimmicks like pull-through sharpeners and sharpeners that are integrated into the knife block. While these sound like good ideas, they can be detrimental to the blade you’re trying to sharpen. Worst case, the edge you’re trying to sharpen could end up being destroyed.

While it is possible to sharpen knives yourself, it is not necessarily wise. You could end up spending more in the long run by having to constantly replace your knives. By hiring a professional knife sharpening service, you’re taking the stress out of the process of honing your blades.