There’s a blend of psychological elements and minor physical factors contributing to this. Expectation bias is one. When you try a Hack anticipating improvement, your mind tends to fill in the blanks. I definitely fell victim to that.
Additionally, the cleaning factor that I mentioned above is also at play. Cleaning away debris can make your scissors glide better, regardless of whether the actual edge has changed.
Lastly, there’s a small possibility that there will be slight temporary realignment of the edge; however, this would be marginal at best.
Remember: something that feels sharper is not necessarily sharper.
Better methods for sharpening scissors
If you wish to sharpen scissors at home, there are much better ways to go about it. I have attempted several methods myself and some are certainly worthwhile.
Using a scissor sharpener is likely the simplest path forward. Just place the blades inside and pull them through a few times, done! While it may not repair severely damaged scissors, it will generally suffice for minor dullness.
Sharpening stones are more hands-on and far superior for effectiveness purposes. A major lesson I learned the hard way regarding sharpening is that angle makes a huge difference. If you manage to align the stone correctly, you’ll see significant improvements over anything considered a Hack.
Another DIY method of sharpening scissors is cutting sandpaper. Although not nearly as accurate as using a stone, sandpaper has enough grit to produce noticeable improvements. However, I would consider this only as a short-term fix.
And lastly, there is professional sharpening. If your scissors are high-quality or extremely dulled, this is probably your best bet. While it will cost you some money, you’ll be seeing results unlike anything else.
So does it work?
Will sugar sharpen scissors? Not really. I understand why it became viral; it is simple, inexpensive, and strangely enjoyable. If you’re serious about fixing dull scissors, this is not the method to base your efforts upon.
From my own testing experiences, I believe the primary function of cutting sugar is merely a form of cleaning rather than sharpening scissors. It may cause your scissors to feel slightly smoother, but you will not achieve an optimal sharp edge. Today, I prefer using legitimate sharpening equipment or replacing my scissors altogether if they’re beyond salvaging.
