Why You Should Stop Using Dull Scissors Before They Damage Fabric and Paper

Everyone tends to just pick up their old, non-sharpened scissors without a second thought since they still work. But while blunt scissors might still be functional, their potential for causing damage is far greater than you'd expect, especially when cutting fabrics, wrapping papers, crafting supplies, or packaging at home.

Not only will having sharp scissors make the job faster, but they are essential for protecting the integrity of the materials used and avoiding waste. According to the experts, dull scissors tend to crush and tear instead of cutting.

Why dull scissors can damage fabric

Anyone who has ever sewn would agree that sharp scissors for cutting fabrics are almost sacred. And there is a good reason for this reverence. Fabric scissors are made specifically to cut straight lines without creating rough edges, which may cause frayed edges and misshapen patterns.

For instance, cutting fabrics with dull scissors results in snags rather than clean cuts, causing uneven and frayed edges and making patterns inaccurate. This becomes particularly difficult when handling slippery and unruly fabrics such as silk and satin, making them prone to distortion even before any sewing is done.

In other words, blunt blades create resistance as they try to cut fabric, resulting in awkward cuts and waste of precious materials. Even routine cutting tasks, such as trimming excess threads and cutting old garments to be used as rags, will prove difficult.

Paper can suffer too

Paper might appear more durable, but scissors that are not sharp can damage paper, too. Instead of creating a neat cut, scissors that are dull tend to bend, masticate, or rip paper. People who have tried cutting wrapping paper in a straight line know what this looks like.

Construction paper may fray. Cardboard paper may fold up prior to cutting. Important documents could tear.
Crafting projects can be difficult because of this. Scrapbooking, assignments at school, and gift wrapping require neatness. Dull scissors will ruin an otherwise tidy job.

Blunt blades can make you work harder

Another important issue that tends to be overlooked is effort. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that excessive force when using the scissor grip and when making cuts may lead to strain of the hands and wrists in particular.

Apart from being uncomfortable, such additional pressure may also make the cutting less controlled, resulting in accidental slips. What is ironic is that the duller the blade, the more people believe it is safer to use.

Signs your scissors need replacing or sharpening

Not sure if your scissors are blunt enough to warrant repair? Here are a few indications that you may need to sharpen them. According to professionals at Fiskars, you can maintain your scissors by keeping their blades clean, lubricating the hinge when necessary, and having them sharpened or replaced when cutting efficiency decreases.

In addition, try not to use just one pair for all purposes. Cutting cardboard or plastic packaging with your fabric scissors will only make them blunt.

How to keep scissors sharp longer

There are a few easy ways that you can help your scissors last longer. Firstly, use different pairs of scissors for various jobs, like having one just for cutting cloth and another for cutting paper.

Secondly, clean the blades after each use, particularly if you've been cutting things like tape, since it can be very sticky. Finally, don't force the scissors into something that they are not meant to cut.

A small household fix that makes a big difference

Sharp scissors are among those tools that get used until they’re nearly useless. However, using dull scissors can harm cloth, destroy arts and crafts made from paper, waste supplies, and complicate otherwise easy work. It may take nothing more than getting scissors sharpened or replacing an older set to solve some problems.

Despite being a seemingly mundane object, sharp scissors can be surprisingly useful.