Course 07 · Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 9 of 12
How do you keep scissors clean, sharp and safe to store?
Clean, dry, lightly oiled scissors kept in a case stay sharp longer and are safer to pick up and put down.
Scissors stay clean, sharp and safe when they are cleaned after every use, dried fully, oiled lightly as the maker directs, checked for tension and damage, and stored closed in a case or pouch, away from other tools, children and pets. Hair, skin oils, moisture and contact with hard surfaces dull the edge, stiffen the action and invite rust, while careless storage risks a cut when the scissors are picked up and damage to the edge when they knock against other metal. Good care is simple, quick and repeated, and it makes the next grooming session safer and more predictable than the last.
How do you clean scissors after grooming?
Wipe the blades with a clean, dry cloth after use, opening and closing them gently to remove hair caught at the hinge and between the blades. For hair or residue that will not wipe away, use a soft brush or a cloth dampened very lightly, as the maker directs, and dry the blades at once. Do not soak scissors, do not put them in a dishwasher, and do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive pads or household cleaners unless the maker specifically allows them, because moisture and chemicals damage the edge, the screw and the finish. Pay attention to the hinge area, where packed hair can stiffen the action and hide rust, and to the finger rings, where skin oils and product residue collect. A clean pair should open and close smoothly, with no gritty feeling and no hair visible at the joint.
How do you oil and check tension?
Oil the hinge with a single small drop of scissor oil, or the oil the maker recommends, after cleaning, and open and close the blades a few times to spread it, then wipe away excess. Too much oil attracts hair and dust, and oil on the blades can transfer to the coat, so a little, wiped clean, is enough. Check tension by holding the scissors with the blades pointing up and letting one handle fall: the blades should close slowly and smoothly, not flop shut and not stay stiffly open. Adjust the screw only as the maker directs, in tiny increments, and test the action on a small piece of hair or thread if the maker suggests a test, rather than on the dog. If tension will not hold, the screw is damaged, or the action grinds, stop using the scissors and seek professional servicing or replacement advice.
How do you recognise dullness and damage?
Dull scissors fold hair, push it aside, or leave a frayed, uneven edge, instead of cutting cleanly with light pressure. You may find yourself forcing the blades, making several closures in the same place, or seeing hair bend at the tip. Damage shows as nicks in the edge, bent or misaligned blades, a loose or wobbly hinge, rust spots, a cracked handle or a screw that will not tighten. Run a fingertip very carefully along the flat side of the blade, never along the edge, to feel for roughness, and look along the closed blades in good light to see whether they meet evenly. A pair that is dull or damaged is not a pair to persevere with. It pulls coat, tires your hand and risks a sudden jerk towards skin, and it needs sharpening by a professional or replacement, not home grinding.
How should scissors be stored?
Store scissors closed, in their case, pouch or a dedicated slot, with the blades protected and the tips covered. Keep the case in a dry place, away from damp bathrooms, sinks and cleaning products, and away from other metal tools that could knock the edge. Do not store scissors loose in a drawer with combs, brushes and blades, do not leave them open on a grooming table, and do not let children or pets reach them. If the case has a soft lining, keep the lining clean and dry, and if the scissors will not be used for a while, clean, oil lightly and check them before the next use, rather than assuming they are ready. Safe storage protects the edge, protects people, and means the scissors are found in the condition you left them.
Use this care schedule to keep the habit simple:
| When | Care task |
|---|---|
| After every use | Wipe blades, remove hair, dry fully, close and case |
| After every few uses | Oil hinge lightly, wipe excess, check tension and action |
| Monthly, if used regularly | Inspect edge, hinge, screw and handles for damage or rust |
| When dull or damaged | Stop use, seek professional sharpening or replacement advice |
What can home care not do?
Home care cannot sharpen a dull edge, repair a bent blade, fix a damaged hinge or restore a rusted pair to safe use. Sharpening grooming scissors needs specialist equipment and skill, because the edge angle and the convex shape of many grooming blades are easily ruined by a general sharpener or a home stone. Do not attempt to sharpen scissors yourself, do not use a knife sharpener, and do not ask a general sharpening service unless it specifically sharpens grooming scissors and can show that experience. A professional sharpener can advise whether a pair is worth sharpening or should be replaced, and a groomer can recommend a service. Keep your care to cleaning, drying, oiling, tension checks and safe storage, and leave sharpening to the people who do it properly.
Further reading
- Pet grooming equipment guidance: manufacturer instructions
- American Kennel Club: grooming guidance