Edgeworks

24/11/2025

Blade Setting — And Why It’s Absolutely Crucial

Close your scissors fully, hold them up to a light source, and look between the blades. You’ll notice something interesting: the only part of the blades that should actually touch when fully closed is right at the very tip.

This is because both blades have a slight curve built into them. This curve is known as Set Curve or Set Geometry.

Different scissors have different amounts of set geometry. Longer blades naturally require more because they need greater “attack” to cut properly.
More set = more attack = more cutting power.

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When Set Geometry Goes Wrong

Several things can change or distort a scissor’s set:
• Wear and tear
• Heavy-handed usage
• Dropping or impact damage

You’ll feel it immediately:
• Hair pushes away at the tips
• Hair folds
• The scissors start grabbing unexpectedly

These are classic signs that the set geometry has shifted.

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How a Scissorsmith Fixes It

Traditionally, scissors could be reset with a small precision setting hammer and anvil.
These days? Modern alloys don’t tolerate that sudden impact. They require a different approach.

Today, the correct set geometry is restored using:
• Moderate heat
• Moderate compression

This works because modern steels are incredibly resilient—but also less forgiving of shock.

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What About Heat and Temper?

Some argue that using heat will destroy the temper of the steel.
They’re not entirely wrong, but they’re not entirely right either.
• Stainless steel only loses temper when heated past 450°C for long enough to cause colour change (blueing/burning).
• Resetting with moderate heat rarely exceeds 80°C, and only for a few seconds.
• In other words: safe, controlled, and nowhere near de-tempering range.

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So Next Time Your Scissors Fold or Catch Hair…

Ask yourself a simple question:

Could they be out of set?

Because in many cases, that’s all it is — and with the right tools and the right hands, it’s completely fixable.

24/11/2025

Serrated edges – love them or hate them

There are a lot of you out there who swear by serrated scissors… and just as many who avoid them.

Like most things in life, they come with both positives and negatives. Sometimes it just comes down to what suits your cutting style.

If you haven’t tried them, grab a pair of serrated scissors and use them for a while. You’ll notice a couple of things straight away:

• Your straight line cutting becomes more stable.
• Hair doesn’t push away at the tips.
• You can better judge where your cut will finish before you even close the blades — a huge advantage when working fast.

Now for the downsides (and why some of you steer clear):

• In some cases (not all), they can feel less smooth than non-serrated scissors.
• You may hear the serrations as you open and close them. That sound isn’t a bad thing — it’s the micro teeth making proper contact and doing their job.
• They can feel slightly firmer or less “soft” in the cut compared to smooth blades. That’s normal.

Hair and beauty artists who use the slide cutting method, you cannot effectivley use this method with serrations.

Here’s the easiest way to think of it:

A ute vs a sedan.

The ute gets the work done.
The sedan gives you the smooth ride.

Both are good — it just depends what you need.

21/11/2025

Hey groomers… stop overheating your blades 🔥

I get it. You’re busy. You’re booked solid. You’re wondering if there’s enough time in the day.

But if your clipper blades are hot enough to fry an egg, you’re going to do them damage.

Hot blades = warped blades
Warped blades = blunt cutting
Keep going = dead set destruction

That “sharp at the start, useless halfway through” feeling? That’s heat distortion getting your cutter blade out of shape so it stops making proper contact. You’re not blunt… you’re cooking them.

Once that heat damage sets in, sometimes I can’t save them. And when I can, I have to Re-hollow grind bladelife away to fix them.

Do this instead:
– Swap blades often
– Let hot ones cool
– Oil before the job
– Oil during if you’re stuck on one set

Oh, and by the way… ceramic cutters run much, much cooler than steel 😎 Just saying.

Cool blade = clean cuts = less swearing = more money in your pocket.

Happy cutting ✂️🔥

19/11/2025

A Short Word on Oiling Your Clipper Blades

I often get questions about this important part of your daily routine — so here’s why oiling your blades matters.

1. It keeps your blades cool.
Your clipper blades run fast on two contact points, generating friction and heat. Without oil, the sharp edges wear down quickly, costing you both time and performance.

2. It saves you money.
Dull blades need sharpening more often. That means sending them off for servicing and paying for repairs. A small dab of oil will save you $$$ in the long run.

3. It prevents corrosion.
The chemicals used in your work environment can attack the steel. A light film of oil acts as a protective barrier against oxidation and rust.

What kind of oil should you use?
Any low-viscosity oil works perfectly. Singer Light Machine Oil is inexpensive and easy to find at most supermarkets.

If you’re using a thick, heavy oil — stop.
High-viscosity oils may protect the surface, but they also separate the cutting edges, reducing efficiency.

👉 Think thin. Think often.
Your blades (and your wallet) will thank you.

19/11/2025

Clipper blade sharpening machine in action…

19/11/2025

How to replace your top steel cutter with a ceramic cutter

19/11/2025

Premium Sharpening Has Arrived — Specialist State of the Art Equipment Direct From the USA

At Edgeworks Bladesmithing, your clipper blades and scissors are restored to better-than-new sharpness using the latest American-made professional sharpening technology.

Pricing
• Clipper Blade Sharpening: From $18.00 per set
• Full Scissor Service: $50.00 per pair — includes blade setting, handle adjustment, tensioning and precision tip re-profiling

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Why Choose Edgeworks Bladesmithing?

Unmatched Expertise
• Over 30 years’ experience in sharpening and tool restoration
• Official sharpening service for Delta pet grooming products
• Trusted by pet groomers, barbers, hairdressers, veterinarians, and farms across Australia

Specialist Capabilities
• All animal clipper blades — domestic to large-animal / farm
• Hairdressing & grooming scissors — right- & left-handed
• Curved blades, beveled, convex, stepped and more
• Serrated edge sharpening — the only service in Australia with this capability
• Custom edge geometry tailored specifically to your needs

Advanced Technology
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Fan-forced, air-cooled sharpening system for cooler, longer-lasting edges
• US-engineered professional machines for consistent, factory-level precision

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Ready to Get Started?

Call or Text: 0409 351 765

Or send your items directly to our workshop:

Edgeworks Bladesmithing
19 Richie Cct, Hillside VIC 3037

Please include:
• A list of items
• Your return address
• Your business name (if applicable)
• Contact details

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Experience Australia’s Finest Sharpening Service Today.

Your tools will thank you — and so will your customers…

14/11/2024