The Sewing Place

Tools of the Trade => The Haberdashery => Topic started by: AnneFrances on July 27, 2017, 12:14:08 PM

Title: Scissor sharpening
Post by: AnneFrances on July 27, 2017, 12:14:08 PM
I have two pairs of good scissors (one 6 inch and one shears) that really need sharpening. I have been looking at these people: http://www.scissor-sharpening.co.uk/hairdresser-scissor-sharpening-for-london who seem to do "tailors" scissors as well as hairdressers, and also these: http://www.prosharp.co.uk/services.asp?c=c2 who also say they do dressmakers scissors and even pinking shears. I have never thrown away my grandmother's pre-war pinking shears and might see if those could be rendered usable too. But I am a little nervous about this and wondered if anyone had experience of either of these companies or could recommend anyone else. Many thanks Anne
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Kad on July 27, 2017, 13:05:42 PM
I've recently used: http://www.sharpening-service.co.uk/prices.html

for both overlocker blades and a pair of dressmaking shears that had had a bad encounter with a pin ( or two )  :'(

The prices were reasonable and the turn-around quick even though I didn't pay the extra for 1st class return postage and the shears are in back to new condition with no sign of the nasty gouges left by the pins and the overlocker blades also cut perfectly even though they were previously unusable.

I was very impressed and am thinking about sending them my Nan's pinking shears to revive.

(Just remember to package them up well to make sure the Post Office will accept them)
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: b15erk on July 27, 2017, 13:20:20 PM
I had a couple of pairs of mine done last year, and while the company did an excellent job of the shears, the pinking shears didn't come up so well.

Can't complain, I think he only charged me £8 for two pairs.

Jessie
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Surest1tch on July 27, 2017, 16:01:08 PM
http://www.pro-sharp.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Jyh9dyp1QIVwbztCh0_gA3AEAAYAiAAEgKuXfD_BwE

This is where I send mine.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Bloobell on July 15, 2018, 16:41:02 PM
Warning - I just used Prosharp to rescue a pair of very blunt dressmaking shears and am very happy with the actual scissors.

I'm pretty flipping MAD about the postage though. I paid extra for them to return my precious scissors using the Royal Mail Special Delivery service, which was £7.25. I did this because it includes additional insurance and meant I'd sign for them. Replacing them like for like would be almost £100 so I thought it would be worth the extra cost.

Nope, it wasn't. They didn't bluddy use the service I paid for, just normal post. Normal first class post. I'm truly peed off.

The postage cost marked on their package is £3.45.

I therefore paid an additional £3.80 for absolutely nothing. I feel robbed. I genuinely am utterly cheesed off and have asked them for an explanation.

I appreciate a small increase to pay for packaging and a bit of time taking parcels to a local post office, but MORE than doubling the cost of the postage?????
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Surest1tch on July 15, 2018, 18:36:38 PM
Get in touch and complain, you may get the extra refunded.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Bloobell on July 16, 2018, 10:03:47 AM
Done, waiting on response to my email.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Bloobell on July 16, 2018, 10:59:21 AM
Colour me HAPPY.

Prosharp have refunded me for the extra postage - my package got put into the wrong pile by mistake. My postage should only have been £4, so they've refunded me the extra I paid.

I'm very happy about this, because they've done an absolutely beautiful job on a pair of scissors that I thought was ruined forever.

I'll be using them again now!
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Marniesews on June 22, 2021, 17:23:50 PM
This just popped up on a google search for scissor sharpening. I was just looking at Prosharp thinking I'd heard good things about them and this confirms it!

I have a pair of Fiskars Amplify that went blunt very quickly with all the lycra I was sewing back then but my daughter would appreciate them and a pair of Gingher shears that I dropped.  -< They still cut but not with such smooth silkiness as before. 
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Gernella on June 22, 2021, 17:51:24 PM
Wow, made a note of these, no sewing scissors, yet, but have got two pairs of hair  cutters that are getting ready, after umpteen years.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: So Chic on June 22, 2021, 19:36:15 PM
I ordered a pair of scissors and received them next day and they were very securely packed.  I will definitely use them for sharpening.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: HenriettaMaria on June 23, 2021, 14:53:40 PM
I have one of these gadgets to keep my Fiskars/Wilkinson Sword shears keen:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiskars-Scissor-Sharpener-Right-handed-grinding/dp/B0001P08JC/ref=asc_df_B0001P08JC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232028567160&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=21784743042646195&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007209&hvtargid=pla-421742577521&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

They are not perfect but I've had my shears 40 years and only had them sharpened professionally once (circa 2006, by a little man in Fleetville, St Albans, who's now retired).

Not sure I'd trust my Ernest Wrights to it, but they don't see so much action because they're heavy and best for coating and the likes.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: KayK on June 24, 2021, 12:48:50 PM
I have one of these gadgets to keep my Fiskars/Wilkinson Sword shears keen:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiskars-Scissor-Sharpener-Right-handed-grinding/dp/B0001P08JC/ref=asc_df_B0001P08JC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232028567160&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=21784743042646195&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007209&hvtargid=pla-421742577521&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

I too have one of these, and although they won't rescue a pair of scissors with a big burr in, they will manage other slightly blunt ones with ease.  I put all my scissors through this little gadget regularly and it really works!
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: Acorn on June 24, 2021, 14:16:34 PM
Would it deal with a small burr?  One that I can't even see, but which makes the scissors hesitate at one point.
Title: Re: Scissor sharpening
Post by: HenriettaMaria on June 25, 2021, 13:38:26 PM
I've found it's OK for that kind of thing.  Cutting through pins is another matter :scream: