Sharp shears
Last post 01-09-2009 2:33 PM by spade monkey. 9 replies.
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24/06/2009 11:15 PM
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- Hellyanthus
- Herefordshire
- 24 Jun 2009
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1
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I need a recommendation for some good handshears that will last and sharpen up well. I have a couple of pairs (one wavy edged, one plain) which have been fine for a while, but once the factory sharpness has worn off I find it hard to get them sharp again. I have some good sharpening tools and manage to keep other hand tools bright, but shears just don't seem to last. They also seem to bow like a banana, in spite of (or maybe because of !) the tightening nut and grass particularly, just slips between the blades. I would like telescopic ones if possible, but if the quality isn't there, I'd settle for fixed handles with good quality blades.
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25/06/2009 12:05 AM
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- hydropiper
- Cardiff
- 23 Jun 2009
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60
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Mine do exactly the same, so I know how you feel Hellyl! Shears can be sharpened by hand at home but it's often hard work. You could try hardware stores or workshops that service lawnmowers who might be able to put "an edge" back on the blades using a mechanised grinding stone.
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25/06/2009 08:12 AM
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- oldhippy
- Surrey
- 25 Feb 2009
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74
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I know this is a little off topic - but where has the little man gone who used to go from house to house in the summer months sharpening knives, shears etc. Haven't seen anyone doing this for years. Anyone seen him recently? oldhippy
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25/06/2009 08:39 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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Haven't seen one them since the early 70s, oldhippy. We have a device for sharpening shears that works okay http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/ATT1401.htm We also have the issue with the blades bending. Is it just cheapness in the making of the shears? I don't recall them doing that in the olden days.
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27/06/2009 01:00 PM
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- hydropiper
- Cardiff
- 23 Jun 2009
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60
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I think they were often gypsies, trying to get a bit of work as they passed through towns. You are right that you don't get trades people like that calling anymore which is a shame. I think it may have something to do with people being able to buy DIY sharpening equipment, and also knifes and blades made of different metal that keep their edge/sharpness better.
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29/06/2009 09:59 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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I thinjk bending blades is just inferior materials Miranda, usually from developing countries like China, but carbon steel is good, sandvik make good blades but they're not cheap, if you can get a decent quality oilstone and run it over the blade edge every so often it will help to keep an edge, your OH will be a dab hand at that sort of task no doubt.
digger 
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30/06/2009 04:31 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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I think it must be inferior materials, digger. We do have a variety of sharpening stones but we found with our old pair of shears that the blades would no longer take an edge. Very annoying. With a thin blade you can hammer the edge out with a peening hammer, but that can't be done with shears.
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30/06/2009 05:37 PM
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He came down our road (Bexhill on Sea) on a bicycle just last year. I may be wrong but I got the impression he had some devise attached to the bike which would sharpen them when he pedalled - looked weird anyway! Didn't take him up on his offer.
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20/08/2009 03:15 PM
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- gosteveb
- worcester
- 20 Aug 2009
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3
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Not normally my style but a bought an ash handled pair from www.gardenloverz.co.uk. In actual fact I bought two pairs one as a present. The proof of the pudding is as they say in the eating but so far they have held up really well. I have had to keep them out of the way of my 4 year old daughter as they get through my constantly growing holly bush extremely easily.
Good value as well if I rember less than £30 I'm sure.
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01/09/2009 02:33 PM
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I've had a game trying to sharpen shears and have not had much success. Does anyone know of a sharpening guide for shears? Thanks.
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