Let's cut to the chase.

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

Dr. Elizabeth Yuko is a bioethicist and adjunct professor of ethics at Fordham University. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, CNN & Playboy.

A sharp knife is safer, faster, and far more satisfying to use—but only if you maintain it properly. After testing electric and manual knife sharpeners on everything from chef’s knives to pocket ...