Thread: Pliers etc. care

How do you blunt the edges of pliers? They should generally be harder than whatever it is you are using them on.

Worst case, you could always run a file over them to square it up, I've never heard of anyone sharpening them...and I sharpen some odd things (paint scrapers, hammer claws etc!)

I've been told Camellia tea oil is good for planes so that should work, or even a light coating of machine oil or wd40 would work - I tend to avoid the latter as it picks up dust.

If they do pick up rust, toss them into some warm water with a few tablespoons of citric acid (baking section at supermarket) and pull them out the next day. The rust should be gone with little or no pitting and then you can re-oil them.

Originally Posted by andrewr79

How do you blunt the edges of pliers? They should generally be harder than whatever it is you are using them on.

It happens... especially more so on cheaper pliers, they will go blunt eventually, doesn't help if they're used on screws or wire rope (which is specifically why I now have brilliant pair of mini bolt cutters). I have an old pair that is next to useless for cutting, just have them purely for gripping.

As an example I have a pair that is still quite sharp, but not quite sharp enough to strip cables nicely reliably any more and have difficulty cutting through very thin wires now, tend to squash them more, so you have to twist/jerk them a bit. So was wondering if it was possible or worthwhile to get these new ones re-sharpened when they eventually go the same way... depending what condition they're in.

Thanks though for those other pieces of advice, will definitely keep that in mind.

Hi DM,
You can buy very good Cable Strippers, & they need to be looked after a bit.
Do you hang your Pliers & bits up, if not put them in a Wooden Draw with a few of those Silica Bags, that absorb Moisture. I've found that they work.
I have a few Chisels & Hammers & they are in W/Draws with an old ( now ) Tea Towel covering them, & they were used for Reprur,? those People that always want to clean your Shoes or Boots. Well being the Scrounger I am, I retrieved them from the bin they were put in, Excellent.

Basically beeswax I often use it for finishing lasts and lasts