If you work in the arts and crafts industry, you’llprobably use left-handed scissors for various tasks. From cutting fabric to paper, they’re a tool of the trade.
However, whether you use your left-handed scissors daily or weekly, caring for them will ensure they stand the test of time. From cleaning them after each use to storing them away correctly, there are various measures you can take to maintain your scissors correctly.
Want to know these measures? Keep reading!
1. Make Sure Your Scissors Are Perfectly Balanced

It’s crucial to keep your left-hand scissors clean and oiled. To complete this maintenance task, using the thumb loop, hold your scissors vertically and lift the finger loop into a horizontal position. When you jiggle the two blades against each other and release the finger loop, the main blade should fall halfway up the other blade.
If, on inspection, the blade of your scissors falls completely closed, this means the tension of your device is too loose. If your blade doesn’t move, this means your tension is too tight.
To fix this issue, use the tensioning key to adjust your scissors. This should have been supplied with your scissors when you purchased them. If not, or if you’ve misplaced it, you can purchase a new one online or from your local arts and crafts store.
For best results, use it one click at a time. Repeat the steps until the desired tension is achieved. The correct tension will ensure your left-handed scissors function to their best possible ability and become your best friend.
2. Clean Your Scissors Between Each Use

When the blades of your left-handed scissors are used regularly, it’snot uncommon for them to become covered with chemicals, moisture, and oil, which can cause corrosion. To avoid this, you must clean your scissors regularly. This will ensure the blades stay sharper for longer.
Furthermore, to remove product buildup, run them under hot water or wipe with a soft cloth, ensuring you dry them thoroughly with a towel to avoid rust.
3. Oil Your Scissors
At the end of each day or use, protect your scissors and ensure their longevity by adding oil to the blades. This will help to keep moisture at bay.
For best results, use an oil that is designed to lubricate your left-handed scissors. To apply, open your scissors as far as they will go and place a small drop of oil onto each blade. Moreover, to ensure the oil spreads evenly, place it just above the center screw and open and close your device several times.
4. Keep Your Left-Handed Scissors Clean and Dry

Avoid leaving your scissors outside on a damp surface. This can cause them to rust. In addition, when storing them, don’t throw them into any random cupboard or drawer unprotected. Storing them in a soft cover in a dry place will help to safeguard them from corrosion. On top of this, it will protect against injury.
Reaching into a drawer and rustling through it without knowing what is in there can mean your fingers will come into contact with the sharp edge of the scissors.
Similarly, if left out in the open, children could accidentally get a hold of them. Nearly 60% of all scissor injuries affect the hands.
5. Sharpen Your Scissors
For best results, sharpen your scissors every three to six months. If you’re unsure of how to do this yourself, visit a reputable sharpener who has the correct tools to assist you with this.
This will avoid any unwanted injuries. In addition, it will avoid causing unnecessary damage to your prized scissors.
6. Carry Out Necessary Repairs
If components have corroded, worn away, or been misplaced, repair or replace these. Using your scissors when damaged can be detrimental. It can also cause injury, especially if they’re not aligned correctly.
Similarly, if the rubber has worn away from the handles, this can lead to sore hands or make carrying out tasks a chore.
7. Look Out For Corrosion
Another factor to consider when caring for your left-handed scissors is the condition of the blades.
Even stainless steel scissors can rust over time when exposed to certain chemicals. As well as cleaning and wiping your tools after each use, always keep an eye out for pitting of the blades. This will avoid an expensive fix. Baking soda is a great, non-toxic rust remover.
8. Avoid Certain Materials
To avoid breaking or damaging your scissors, only cut through fabrics and materials they’re able to handle. Avoid anything too thick or hard, as this could cause damage to your tools and result in injury.
9. Make Sure You’re Using Them Correctly
Left-handed scissors work differently from right-handed scissors. To ensure the best results and a seamless, easy cut, make sure you’re using them correctly. If upside down, they won’t function to their utmost ability.
10. Use a Guide When Cutting Fabric
To ensure your scissors don’t detour from their course and cut over anything that they could damage or something that could damage them, create a guide using a light pencil line. When you’ve finished cutting the fabric, wipe your scissors down or shake them lightly to remove any excess fabric from the grooves.
The Bottom Line
When you care for your left-handed scissors correctly, they will stand the test of time. If you let them go to ruin, they’ll need to be replaced much quicker. To avoid this from happening, always clean and store your scissors in a clean, dry, and safe space. In addition, don’tattempt to cut through anything they can’t handle, as this could cause them to break, or worse still, you could injure yourself.
Following the above tips and tricks will ensure your scissors stay in tip-top condition. This allows you to use them as and when you please without worrying about whether they will let you down.