Kirk Eppler replied to Phil Schempf's query : "Any one with a knowledge of
proper techniques, angles, etc?"

with

"Lots of great stuff in the archives from Tom Conroy and the Millrat"



I do seem to remember writing a lot about this, though I don't know the message
numbers. But in brief:

The best source on sharpening scissors is a strange, crude little book published
on a shoestring in the 1970s called "Scissors Sam says Be Sharp." Its no good
for any other kind of sharpening, but for scissors its bang on. It is,
remarkably, readily available used (Amazon lists 21 copies right now.)


Never touch abrasives to the flats of the blades except to remove crusty rust,
and then be careful. Sharpen only on the edge. There's no need to take the
scissors apart, and good reasons not to. With most good scissors (including
almost all Wiss) a file will be the best sharpening implement; I rather like an
6" mill bastard, but I have used much coarser. Follow the bevel defined by the
thick, unsharpened part of the blade. Brace the tip on something if possible,
and hold the loop of the blade you are working on in the left hand, edge up.
Take the burr off by cutting air, then paper.

As Jim said: works for me.

Tom Conroy