Learn how to tell if your scissors are dull or damaged—and the simple sharpening techniques that can bring them back to life.

Used for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric, string, price tags, plastic packaging—that list goes on—the scissors in your office or kitchen drawer might be the most reliable everyday tool in your house.

Trying to use a set of dull kitchen scissors can be awful, as you never truly realize how useful scissors are until you're trying to use a set that doesn't work. When your scissors grow dull, the best ...