WOLFF OGC-TAS User manual

OPERATORS MANUAL
CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-888-3832
Part # 13000
OOKAMI GOLD®
SCISSORS SHARPENING SYSTEM
Developed and manufactured in the USA
by Wolff Industries for sharpening
the world’s nest scissors and shears.
Revision 1/11/16

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LEE WOLFF & WOLFF INDUSTRIES
1930 - 1996
In 1957 Lee Wolff, (Inventor of Twice as Sharp®) started a sewing machine sales and service business.
Fabrics and a complete line of sewing needs were added in 1963, and the number of employees grew to 25
to handle the volume. During those years, Lee did a great deal of scissors sharpening and repair and made
important modications on the available scissors sharpening equipment.
In 1971 Lee and Mary Wolff became the rst major importer and distributor of plastic handled scissors in
the United States. They started to manufacture sewing scissors in 1973 under the trade name of KNIP. A
U.S. patent was granted on the KNIP.
The scissors factory was sold to American Scissors Corp. in 1980 and moved to the south. Lee set up the
factory and innovated many new manufacturing processes. The July 1983 Consumers Reports rates the
American Scissors designed and produced by Lee Wolff as a best buy. He also designed a full line of unique
plastic handled scissors with interchangeable parts.
Lee worked on the perfecting of scissors sharpening equipment for many years. It is necessary to accurately
control the cutting angles, reduce burr formation during sharpening, and do deburring and micro-sharpening
as a nal process. This method produces scissors that are normally twice as sharp, hence the name Twice
as Sharp®. A United States patent has been granted as well as several foreign patents.
Wolff Industries has grown rapidly with many new products for scissors sharpeners. In 1990 a new tech-
nical department and additional equipment were added so that we will always be able to bring to you the
most advanced scissors sharpening equipment.
Technical support is available Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM eastern standard time.
Call with your sharpening questions. If it is regarding a specific shear, please have the shear in
hand. If your question is regarding a problem with the sharpener please have the sharpener nearby.
WOLFF®, TWICE AS SHARP®, HIRA-TO® and OOKAMI GOLD®are registered trade marks of
WOLFF INDUSTRIES, INC. and may only be used in regard to items sharpened by using the equip-
ment and methods described in this manual. Any other uses are forbidden without written permission from
Wolff Industries, Inc.
Please send us any comments, suggestions, or newsworthy ideas, that we may include in our newsletter.
US Patent # 4,528,778 German Patent # DE3490065C2 Canadian Patent # 1 243 487

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT PAGE
Background, Technical Support, and Trademark Usage...........................................................2
Table of contents .................................................................................................................3
A-1-OGU conversion kit installation instructions ....................................................................4
Installing Diamond sharpening wheel ................................................................................4
Installing OOKAMI GOLD® polishing wheel .................................................................4
Part names for Scissors and Shears Sharpener .........................................................................5
Set up and safety .......................................................................................................................5
Machine maintenance ...............................................................................................................6
How to change the wheels ........................................................................................................7
Steps to sharpen OOKAMI GOLD® style convex shears
Step 1: Taking shears apart .................................................................................................7
Step 2: Installing the clamp.................................................................................................8
Step 3: Clamping scissors ...................................................................................................8
Step 4: Setting cutting angle ...............................................................................................8
Step 5: Sharpening each blade on the diamond wheel........................................................8
Step 6: Deburring ................................................................................................................9
Step 7: Polishing the blades ................................................................................................9
Step 8: Assembling the shears............................................................................................12
Step 9: Polishing the shears................................................................................................13
Step 10: Testing the shears...................................................................................................13
Step 11: Checking the set of the blades ...............................................................................14
Step 12: Balancing the shears ..............................................................................................15
Step 13: Sizing the blades ....................................................................................................15
Step 14: Matching the tips....................................................................................................16
Step 15: Cleaning and lubricating the shears .......................................................................16
How much to charge ................................................................................................................17
Special instructions for left handed shears...............................................................................17
Corrugating instructions...........................................................................................................18
Frequently asked questions......................................................................................................19
Convexing a bevel edge shear..................................................................................................21
Converting from 110 volt to 220 volt, with existing switch ....................................................22
Converting from 110 volt to 220 volt, with new switch ..........................................................23
Scissors and shears terms dictionary........................................................................................24
Parts included with the OOKAMI GOLD®sharpening system ..............................................29
OOKAMI GOLD®special tools..............................................................................................30
Parts list for clamps..................................................................................................................31
Parts list for OOKAMI GOLD®scissors sharpener................................................................32
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, and Guarantee.........................................................................34

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OOKAMI GOLD®
Scissors Sharpening System
A-1-OGU Upgrade Kit Installation Instructions
NOTE: These steps are to install the A-1-OGU kit only. Go to safety instructions on page 8 for all other
systems. This conversion kit will t all the Twice as Sharp® Models or the Foley Belsaw #327. See how
to change the wheels on page 10.
Diamond Sharpening Wheel Installation:
The diamond wheel has been pretested at the factory. Follow the installation instructions to insure smooth
sharpening.
1. Remove the left hand wheel cover and three screws with a #2 phillips screwdriver.
2. Using a 3/4” wrench, hold onto the wheel with one hand and turn the wrench
clockwise (left handed thread) with the other hand.
3. Remove the nut, two anges and sharpening wheel and wipe the shaft clean.
4. Put the blue ange (supplied with the kit) on the shaft rst. Slide the diamond
wheel (supplied with the kit) on the shaft next to the blue ange. Put one of the
anges removed in step 3 on the shaft. Install and tighten the nut rmly (counter
clockwise).
5. Spin the wheel by hand. If side to side movement is more than about 1/8”, loosen
the nut and rotate the wheel about 900on the shaft. Tighten the
nut rmly and recheck the wheel for side to side movement.
Repeat this step until side to side movement is acceptable.
6. Replace the wheel cover and three screws.
OOKAMI GOLD® Polishing Wheel Installation:
The OOKAMI GOLD® polishing wheel has been broken-in
at the factory to save you time and ensure smooth running
(notice the edge is black or gray in color).
1. Remove the right hand wheel cover and three screws with a phillips screwdriver.
2. Using a 3/4” wrench, hold onto the wheel with one hand and turn the wrench counter
clockwise (right handed thread) with the other hand.
3. Remove the nut, two anges and bufng or honing wheel and wipe the shaft
clean.
Flange OOKAMI GOLD® Polishing Wheel Flange Right Hand Nut
Left hand Nut Flange Diamond Wheel Blue Flange

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4. Put one of the anges from step 3 on the shaft rst. Slide the OOKAMI GOLD® Polishing Wheel
(supplied with the kit) on the shaft next to the ange. Put the other ange removed in step 3 on the
shaft. Install and tighten the nut rmly (clockwise).
5. Replace the wheel cover and three screws.
PART NAMES FOR SCISSORS AND SHEARS SHARPENER:
SET UP AND SAFETY
Inspect machine for shipping damage. Look for
broken or bent parts. Notify freight carrier if dam-
aged. Assemble plastic eye shields as pictured. At-
tach to the machine with screws provided. NEVER
OPERATE MACHINE WITHOUT EYE SHIELDS
IN PLACE.
Bottom arm set is fastened to the machine with a
socket head hex screw. Loosen screw and move
the arm set straight forward into the sharpening
position. Tighten the hex screw until the arm is
tight and does not move.
DIAMOND
SHARPENING
WHEEL
CLAMP
KNOB
SCISSORS
CLAMP
FREE
FLOATING
ARM
MOUNTING HOLE
Machine may be bolted
to table (4 holes provided).
OOKAMI GOLD®
POLISHING WHEEL
SAFETY SHIELDS
RISER
BLOCK

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SAFETY CONTINUED
Be sure both wheels are tight and there are no chips in the left wheel (your
original sharpening wheel on the Twice As Sharp® or included with the
OGC-TAS OOKAMI GOLD®scissors sharpening system). Damaged
wheels can y apart and cause serious injury. Adjust the two nger and
two tongue guards to a maximum of 1/16 inch clearance between the wheel
and the guards.
Plug machine into a 3 wire grounded receptacle only. Stand aside and let it run for one minute before using
it the rst time. Follow this step also after replacing a grinding wheel.
Use safety glasses and face mask to catch dust and grit. Provided safety glasses
meet or exceed all requirements of ANSI Z87.1 CSA certied.
MACHINE MAINTENANCE
NEVER OIL any part of your scissors sharpening machine. Motor bearings are
sealed ball bearings. Arm bearings are self lubricating and need no lubrication. Brush off grit as necessary.
To replace worn wheels, see page 7. If clamp movement becomes stiff or difcult, loosen angle knob and
clean the grit out.
CONVERTING FROM 110 VOLT TO 220 VOLT:
See Page 22 of this Operators Manual to convert the OGC-TAS, OGA-TAS or OGS-TAS OOKAMI GOLD®
sharpening systems to run on 220 - 240 volts.
As the wheels wear adjust the two nger and two tongue guards to maintain
the maximum 1/16 inch between the wheels and the guards.
After changing wheels, dressing wheels or adjusting the two nger and
two tongue guards, make sure eye shields are in place and securely fastened.
1/16” MAX
(1.6 mm)
CLEARANCE
1/16” MAX
(1.6 mm)
CLEARANCE

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HOW TO CHANGE THE WHEELS
Remove the three screws holding the end cover with a #2 Phillips screw-
driver. Take cover off. Loosen the nut holding the wheel with a ¾” wrench.
Hold the wheel between your ngers when loosening or tightening, never
put side pressure against the wheel. (The left wheel has a left hand nut and
loosens clockwise.) Remove wheel and replace with factory wheel. Paper
blotters must be on each side of standard sharpening wheel, part number
#27000. Never use without blotters. Tighten nut rmly and turn by hand.
If wheel has too much side movement, loosen, rotate and retighten until you
get the least amount of side movement. Replace cover and screws. (Never
run sharpener without covers on). A new wheel must be allowed to run for
at least one minute before using. Do not stand in front of sharpener during
the rst minute.
Never use cracked or chipped wheels.
Standard sharpening wheel #27000 and Professional hon-
ing wheel #25200 are included in the OOKAMI GOLD®
OGC package or installed on your original TWICE AS
SHARP® professional scissors sharpening system.
STEPS TO SHARPEN AN OOKAMI GOLD®
STYLE CONVEX SHEAR
STEP 1: TAKING SHEARS APART
Using the scissors screw pliers, Wolff part number #20940
or a screw driver take the shears completely apart. Set
the screw and washer (also nut if shear is a self adjuster)
in a safe place.
Flange
OOKAMI Gold®Polishing
or Professional Honing
Wheel
Flange
Right Hand Nut
Left Hand Nut
Flange
Diamond or Standard
Sharpening Wheel
Blue Flange
Using a screwdriver in the slot
on the left end of the motor
shaft to tighten/loosen the
wheels.
Self Adjuster
Screw & Washer

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STEP 2: INSTALLING CLAMP
Place scissors clamp in the hole in the top arm. The word sharpen must be
on top as pictured.
STEP 3: CLAMPING SCISSORS
Place one of the blades in the clamp, move the blade until 1/2 of the screw
hole is covered by the jaw of the clamp. Tighten large black knob until the
blade is held rmly.
STEP 4: SETTING CUTTING ANGLE
Determine the angle by the following method:
1. Set the clamp angle at 40o, hold the scissors blade against the dia-
mond wheel (motor off) and turn the wheel by hand. Look at the
line created by the wheel, increase or decrease the angle to match
existing cutting edge. A few degrees off either way will make little
change in cutting performance.
NOTE: It is critical to match the angle as closely as possible to avoid removing excess metal.
STEP 5: SHARPENING EACH BLADE ON THE DIAMOND WHEEL
WARNING: Use VERY LIGHT PRESSURE
because diamond wheels cut rapidly.
Slide blade across the LEFT wheel slowly with very light pressure.
Keep arms in the position shown and move xture from right to
left. Release pressure from the wheel when the blade tip reaches the
center of the wheel. Feel for the burr by sliding your nger towards
the cutting edge. If you feel a burr STOP SHARPENING. Test for a
burr after each pass on the LEFT hand wheel. It will only take 1 - 2
passes if you have matched the angle correctly. If you do not have a
burr recheck the angle setting on the clamp.
Remove the blade from the diamond wheel
when the tip of the blade is in the middle
of the wheel.
SHARPEN
Set angle by
this line

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STEP 5: SHARPENING EACH BLADE ON THE DIAMOND WHEEL - CONTINUED
Remove the blade and sharpen the other blade following the exact same procedure.
STEP 6: DEBURRING
Remove the burrs from the inside of the blades. These steps are also
important if the ride area is rough or damaged.
Using the OOKAMI GOLD®Honing Block :
a. Using the OOKAMI®deburr paper, angle the shears
blade to match the set or twist. DO NOT hone on a plastic
ride.
b. Hone until you see a line on the inside of the blade all
along the cutting edge.
c. Now repeat steps a & b on OOKAMI® nish paper.
STEP 7: POLISHING THE BLADES (UNASSEMBLED)
a. See Step 3 to install the blade in the clamp. Lift the clamp out of the bearing hole, invert it and insert
it back into the arm. Swing top arm to polish on the right hand wheel.
LIFT CLAMP INSERT CLAMP
INVERT CLAMP

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These are enlargements (approximately 120x) of the inside of the cutting edge on a pair of
medium priced beauty shears made in Japan.
Before honing (factory nish)
The same blade after honing on the OOKAMI®Deburr paper
and then 8 - 10 strokes on the OOKAMI®Finish paper.
There is a much improved feel and sound.

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These are enlargements (approximately 120x) of the inside of the cutting edge on a pair of
higher priced beauty shears made in Japan.
Before honing (factory nish)
The same blade after honing on the OOKAMI®Deburr paper
and then 8 - 10 strokes on the OOKAMI®Finish paper.
There is a much improved feel and sound.

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STEP 7: POLISHING THE BLADES - Continued
Note: Put a slight amount of compound on the OOKAMI
GOLD®wheel each time you polish a blade.
a. While the sharpener is running, apply the compound to the
OOKAMI GOLD®wheel (a light 1 second touch is all that is
needed).
b. Slide the blade back and forth against the polishing wheel with
rm pressure. Repeat until the blade is polished and the grind
lines are gone.
Warning: The blade is very sharp and will cut through a rag,
use extreme caution while wiping the blades off.
c. Remove the blade, wipe off the polishing compound and insert
the second blade into the clamp. Polish the second blade as in
Step b.
d. Remove the second blade from the clamp and wipe off the
polishing compound.
STEP 8: ASSEMBLING THE SHEARS
Warning: Assemble the shears in the open position.
a. Assemble the shears in the open position using the parts removed
in Step 1.
b. Close the shears on a paper towel and cut the burr off.
Note: DO NOT SPREAD the blades apart while closing.
Note:
Dirt and grit in the pivot area will make the shears feel tight or stiff. This needs to be cleaned out before
assembling the shears.
Apply a small amount of compound.
Polish on the right hand wheel.
Cut the burr off on paper towel.

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STEP 9: POLISHING THE SHEARS (ASSEMBLED)
Note: Put a slight amount of compound on the OOKAMI GOLD®wheel each time you polish a
blade.
a. Insert one blade of the assembled shear back into the
clamp.
b. Slide the blade back and forth against the polishing wheel
with rm pressure. Repeat until the blade has a mirror n-
ish.
Warning: Polish one blade, cut the burr off, polish the
second blade and cut the burr off.
c. Close the shear on a paper towel and cut the burr off.
d. Repeat steps a - c for the second blade.
e. The cutting edge should be shiny with the grind lines removed. If not check the following.
1. Did you use enough pressure on the wheel?
2. Did you use enough compound on the wheel?
3. Are you using OOKAMI®compound? OOKAMI GOLD®compound has been specially formu-
lated to work with the OOKAMI GOLD®wheel and other compounds cannot be guaranteed to
give the same excellent results.
4. Does the wheel need cleaning?
The OOKAMI GOLD®wheel can build up compound if it is put on too thickly. Hold the end of
the Diamonite hone hard against the wheel while the sharpener is running. This will quickly clean
off any build-up. This should be done periodically to keep wheel from loading up.
STEP 10: TESTING THE SHEARS
Use one if not all of the following test methods. Apply NO side
pressure to the handles as you test. The shears must cut cleanly
and feel smooth.
a. Hair is one of the best test materials, as this is what your customer
is really cutting. Washed hair can be saved by one of your custom-
ers.
Pull a small amount of hair out of your bundle and cut. Watch for
hair slide or folding. The cut should feel smooth with no pulling
or tearing of the hair.
Also test using the method in Step b. This will ensure that the
burrs are completely removed.
Note: We discourage shaving as a test for scissors sharpness. Shears may shave with one or both blades
individually and still not cut when used together. Scissors tested the way scissors are used ensures proper
sharpness. Cut and bleeding arms do not prove your scissors are sharp!

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b. Facial tissue (Kleenex®) separated into single sheets will show
any burrs or dull spots with a tear or fold.
Hang the end of the tissue over the table or from your hand. Hold
the scissors without any side pressure and cut.
If they do not cut cleanly, repeat step 9.
STEP 11: CHECKING THE SET OF THE BLADES
Do this step only if the shears failed step 10 “Testing the Shears”.
a. With the shears closed there should be daylight between the blades; only the tips and ride are touch-
ing.
b. The blades should also ow in a positive curve; no dips or
kinks.
c. Any problems with the set of the blades should be adjusted
and the shears re-tested following step 10. If still not cutting
properly, repeat step 9.
Adjusting the set takes some practice, but with the OOKAMI
GOLD® Set Adjusting Tool you are less likely to damage the
scissors blades or the sharpened edges.
NO GOOD - No gap un-
der the pivot, one blade is
straight, the other has too
much set.
NO GOOD - Blades come
together in the middle and
leave a gap near the tips that
will not cut.
GOOD - Gap under the pivot
and proper set to the tips.
Gap = .006” - .012” (2-4
sheets of paper)

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STEP 12: BALANCING THE SHEARS
Setting blade free fall. Salon and barber shears are set with more free fall than cloth shears. Normally
blades should begin to interfere or touch 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up the blades. It is best to set them about
the same as you received them.
a. Using the Wolff set screw pliers adjust the free fall. The
set screw pliers hold from both sides of the shears and
provide more leverage to prevent damage to the screw
head.
b. If the screw loosens up after adjusting free fall:
1. On split screw, remove screw from shear and open
the split.
2. Turn the shears thread side up and put a drop of
thread locker on the screw threads. Allow the thread
locker to wick into the threads for a minimum of 15
minutes. Wipe off the excess thread locker.
Note: The thread locker is self-wicking and anaerobic, which means that the locker will penetrate its
way into the threads and only the locker inside will harden. Full hardening takes 24 hours.
Note: Instant gel adhesive (cyanoacrylate) may be used for quick setting up, but can be messy. Use solvent
to clean. You can purchase this instant gel adhesive from your local hardware or home store.
STEP 13: SIZING THE BLADES
The blades must cross each other all the way to the tips.
Note: Test for metal hardness before bending, by ling behind pivot screw. If the handles are hard or
made of cast metal fastened to the blades, grind off tips slightly. See “Match the Tips”.
a. One piece metal shears - bend the handles apart slightly with
the brass hammer. See page 16 for information on the Wolff
Handle Bender.
b. Plastic handle shears - grind away the sizing knob between the
handles slightly until the blades cross.

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Handle Bender - the best way to bend the
handles to make the tips cross properly.
Wolff Part # HB-01
STEP 14: MATCHING THE TIPS
The tips of the shears should be the same length.
a. While holding the blades closed, grind away the tips until they are
the same length. Use short strokes to prevent burning the tips.
b. Open the blades a little and round off the back of the tips. NEVER
put your ngers between the blades.
c. Polish the back of the tips to remove any burrs (the side away from
the cutting edge).
STEP 15: CLEANING AND LUBRICATING THE SHEARS
Dirt and grit in the pivot area will make the shears feel tight or stiff. This needs to be cleaned out before
setting the shears free-fall.
a. Open the shears and put a drop or two of scissors lubricant
in the pivot area and along the blades.
b. Open and close the shears several times to force any grit out
from between the blades.
Warning: The shears are very sharp and will cut through a
rag, use extreme caution while wiping the blades off.
c. Wipe off grit and excess lubricant. The lubricant dries
quickly and will not leave a lm. Do not use oil to lubricate
the blades, oil leaves a lm behind and will attract dirt and
grit.

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HOW MUCH TO CHARGE
The usual charges for sharpening and reconditioning of barber and beauty scissors and shears should range
from $20.00 to $40.00. This, of course, will vary depending on how much work is needed.
Lower priced scissors ($100.00 or less) are better sharpened on the Twice As Sharp®scissors sharpening
system using the Standard Sharpening Wheel and the Professional Honing Wheel. This will take you less
time and you can charge a little less.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEFT HANDED SHEARS
On true left handed shears the blades are reversed. The thumb blade
is on the right side of the nger blade.
Note: Be careful of some scissors that claim to be lefts, but are really
right hand blades with left hand handles.
1. Set the angle at which the scissors are to be sharpened and put
the clamp in the “hone” position (the word “HONE” is up and
readable).
2. Clamp the scissors with the outside of the blade facing upward
(handles to the left).
3. Sharpen the blades and remove the burrs as you would with right
hand scissors.
4. Leave the clamp in the “Hone” position when you move to the
polishing wheel.
5. Hone the blades on the right hand corner of the honing wheel, with
your left hand.
6. Test the scissors and perform nishing steps.
Note - Another way to Sharpen Left Handed Scissors:
You can reverse the wheels to sharpen left handed scissors. Put the
diamond wheel on the right hand side and the polishing wheel on the
left hand side of the machine. This reverses the sharpening process and
puts the blades in the correct alignment to the wheels.
Right hand shears
True
left
hand
shears
blades
are
reversed
Hone

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CORRUGATING INSTRUCTIONS
Corrugations or serrations on the blade are put on a scissors or shears to help prevent hair slide. Scis-
sors and shears sharpened on the OOKAMI GOLD® or Twice as Sharp®scissors sharpening systems
do not need to be corrugated.
Follow these steps to corrugate scissors when your customer insists
on it.
1. Sharpen the blade that is to be corrugated on the left hand sharpen-
ing wheel. Make sure the old corrugations are completely removed.
The usual angle is 250.
2. Clamp the blade in a nylon jaw vise (Wolff part number
#23400).
3. Hold the le at approximately the same angle as the newly sharpened edge.
4. Begin close to the pivot, holding your thumb against the side of the le to help guide it straight.
NOTE: When using the Wolff Diamond File, part number #22200 use VERY LIGHT PRESSURE to
prevent damage to the le! Diamonds cut freely and only a few ounces of hand pressure are needed.
5. Push the le forward and back in a sawing motion
5 to 6 times. Lift the le to see if the teeth are
created evenly.
6. Move the le about 1/4” down the blade so that 1/2 of the le is aligned with the teeth just created and
le new teeth.
7. Continue this process to the tip of the blade.
8. With the hone almost at hone the inside of the blade with a ceramic
hone 1 - 2 passes until the large burrs are removed.
9. Close the scissors without spreading the blades apart and cut off
any remaining burr.
10. Sharpen the other blade as normal.
11. Test the scissors for hair slide and ease of cut.
NOTE: To keep your le in top condition and prevent damage always
keep the cap on when it is not in use. If the le fails to cut, wash it
with detergent and water.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there only one way to sharpen shears?
No. There are many methods to sharpen shears. We at Wolff Industries strive to achieve the follow-
ing:
• Sharpest edge possible
• Longest life
• Smooth feel
• Reduce slide of hair
• Good appearance
• The easiest way to obtain all of the above
The OOKAMI GOLD®sharpening system gives you all of this and for a reasonable price.
What is sharp and how is it measured?
Sharp is: When your customer is pleased with the performance of the shears. The shears must cut
tissue cleanly and hair easily.
What is sharpening by hand?
Claims of sharpening “by hand” usually mean “free hand”, or without xtures. It does not mean
without machinery. The results of free hand sharpening vary considerably. Fixtured sharpening
gives precise angles and repeatable results.
Is underwater sharpening necessary?
No, sharpening underwater is done by manufacturers and occasionally during resharpening, when
abrasives other than diamond are used. Diamonds grind cooler and do not need water cooling.
Honing cannot be done underwater.
What is the best angle for barber and beauty shears?
For your customers that are used to European shears, 35oprovides an excellent cut and a nice feel.
For customers using more expensive Japanese shears, 40oor higher should be standard
What does COBALT mean on the scissors blade?
Along with iron, carbon, chromium, molybdenum and manganese, cobalt may be added. This can
improve wear life and give a smoother feel. This has no effect on sharpening..

20
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - CONTINUED
Why sharpen with the diamond wheel?
Stainless steel has 16% to 18% chromium, which forms chromium carbides and iron carbides.
Stainless steel hardness is usually RC 56 to RC 60 (Rockwell “C: hardness scale). Carbide grains
found in the steel can be as hard as RC 88 to RC 92. Diamonds are the sharpest, hardest abrasives
known. Diamond sharpening cuts these carbides better than aluminum oxide or silicon carbide.
Sharpening away for the cutting edge with diamonds reduces the grain breakout or pullout. This
gives a sharper smoother edge before polish.
Why polish with the OOKAMI GOLD®polishing wheel?
All sharpening creates burrs, so polishing is necessary to remove the large sharpening burrs. Polish-
ing also removes grind lines to produce a mirror nish on the cutting edge. The OOKAMI GOLD®
polishing wheel was specially designed to hold the polishing compound and produce extremely
sharp, smooth, mirror-nish shears. The OOKAMI GOLD® wheel will also sharpen convex edges,
while clamped to produce a straight, smooth cutting edge.
What does ICE mean on the scissors blade?
Good quality shears made of carbon steel or stainless steel have small particles of soft austenite steel
still in the metal after heat treatment. They must be cooled slowly to about -100o. This converts
retained austenite to hard martensite, completing the hardening process. ICE has no effect on the
sharpening of shears. All good quality shears are ice tempered, even if not marked.
How does Titanium coating effect scissors life?
Many scissors are being coated with a thin layer of titanium to give them additional hardness. The
sharpening process removes this thin coating, in fact the scissors have to be sharpened immediately
after coating because the cutting edge is rounded off. Wolff tested many different coatings at a fac-
tory with hard to cut materials (Kevlar) and found no difference in edge longevity between coated
and non-coated scissors.
Why balance or nish shears?
• Keep the customer happy.
• Shears too loose do not cut.
• Shears too tight wear rapidly and cause fatigue.
• If tips do not cross, they won’t cut and will pull hair.
• Burrs at the tips will scratch skin and catch hair.
• The feel of balanced shears will indicate the quality of your sharpening.