Sharpen a Seam ripper ?

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08-08-2011, 06:00 AM

#41

rekrug

Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: CA

Posts: 154

My mantra:"The seam ripper is my friend....." repeat as necessary! Sounds like you might be cutting the fabric, not just the thread. Also, buy a good ripper, it is worth the extra $

08-08-2011, 06:21 AM

#42

Coloradoquilter

Member

Join Date: Mar 2009

Posts: 9

Can you share the story behind the blocks you are ripping out. They are going to be so nice when done. Any thing we can learn from the problems you've had?

08-08-2011, 06:35 AM

#43

BarbaraSue

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: near Peoria Illinois

Posts: 1,638

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharon b

Does anyone know if this can be done ? I have worn out 3 in less then 2 weeks :shock: LOL Yea I know that's a whole lotta ripping going on :roll:

Maybe we should have a contest to see who can wear out one the quickest :wink: Just kidding - but I hate to throw these away seems so wasteful .....

Here is what I was taking apart

try aluminum foil. in a post last week on the 5 tips of aluminum foil, folded layers will sharpen scissors when you cut through the layers. couldn't hurt try to sharpen your seam ripper with a piece of foil folded into 4 layers and try cutting it with the ripper. may just work for the ripper like the scissors.
her's the link for the foil:

http://video.about.com/frugalliving/5-Uses-For-Foil.htm

08-08-2011, 06:41 AM

#44

Deborah12687

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Minnesota

Posts: 1,098

It is really hard to sharpen a dull seam ripper because of the angle that you need to make it sharp again. I tried it and it was not very easy to do and was not that sharp.

08-08-2011, 07:09 AM

#45

Pete

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Somewhere inTexas

Posts: 968

"Jack the Ripper" and I are good friends ---but I do change Jacks every so often. Seems they do not stay as sharp as they were when we first met.

08-08-2011, 07:17 AM

#46

SUZAG

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: Fowlerville, MI

Posts: 686

Good for you having the determination to go on!

08-08-2011, 07:27 AM

#47

ghostrider

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2009

Posts: 4,688

Use a 5/32" chain saw sharpening stone. Dremel sells them for use with their rotary tools, pack of 2 for about $4.30...or check your hubby's tool box. ;) Use a drop of oil before you start with the stone though, same as for sharpening anything with a stone.

08-08-2011, 07:30 AM

#48

unclefreckles

Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Bosque Farms New Mexico

Posts: 461

I am really lucky, in this area. My DH is a professional knife maker so he has all of the sharpening tools at his disposal and is willing to sharpen my scissors and seam ripper whenever it is necessary.

08-08-2011, 07:43 AM

#49

Dkm

Senior Member

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: Frankfort, Ky.

Posts: 795

This is about your plates...if they don't want to lay flat try laying them out and misting them with water and leave until dry. A friend told me about this and it worked for me.

08-08-2011, 07:45 AM

#50

GrannieAnnie

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leota

Maybe try a fine emery board? File away from the curve ... I mean really, they had to be sharpened in the beginning....

hummmmmmmmmmmm, that brings up a "how it's made" question. I'd think the seam rippers were hot metal poured into a mold-----------not a piece of steel shaped and sharpened.

I'm not an industrial engineer, obviously.