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You are here: Home / Tips / General Craft Tips / How to Sharpen a Punch

How to Sharpen a Punch

By Noreen 75 Comments




By Noreen Doll.

Do you need to sharpen a punch? Any kind of punch can be sharpened this way.

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I was punching holes around the edges of a Christmas card to make it into a sewing card for preschoolers.

After punching a few holes, I noticed the punch was not punching cleanly, and it was leaving raggedy looking holes.

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You can punch aluminum foil to sharpen punches. I took a piece of aluminum foil 6 or 8 inches wide and folded it up fairly small – so it was several thicknesses.

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Then I punched as many holes in it as I could.

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When I was finished, my punch cut cleanly again.

And I had a pile of shiny circles to use on a project.  Now if I can only figure out a good way to use them!

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Punching folded wax paper after punching the aluminum foil is supposed to lubricate the punch edges.  However, I found it difficult to punch the wax paper, so you may want to try this for yourself and see how it goes.

Punching soda cans sharpens punches very well, too.

Here I’ve used a soda can to sharpen a snowflake punch.

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I didn’t punch it as many times as I did the hole punch, but the can sharpened the punch nicely.

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And look at the colorful aluminum snowflake I got while sharpening the punch!

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How to Fix a Rusted Paper Punch.

Sharpen Decorative Edge Scissors.

Use an aluminum can to make a dimensional star.

Aluminum Can Dimensional Star - Crafty Journal
Use an aluminum can to make a dimensional star.

 

© Noreen Doll

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Filed Under: General Craft Tips, How To, Tips Tagged With: tips

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Comments

  1. Lynda says

    April 2, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    I have heard you can sharpen scissors this way, too. I wonder what it is about the aluminum that sharpens? This is good information to have. Thanks for posting it.

  2. Margaret says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Very useful! Now…….can you tell me how to punch wool felt, the way the doll makers did in the early 1900s to the 50s? Remember the little felt bootie kits that had punched flower shapes>

    If we can send a man to the moon, think of what a woman would have discovered!

  3. admin says

    April 3, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    I’m afraid I don’t know how they punched wool felt. But my guess is they used heavy duty machinery. Noreen

  4. onel says

    April 4, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Hello, Noreen!

    Thank you for the most valuable tip!
    I’ve seen your crafts a lot from I Share Crafts and I love how you always use those available in-house materials to make your crafts. Thanks for sharing them.

  5. Linda says

    April 12, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    I didn’t know this. Thanks, Noreen!

  6. Liz @ Quirky Vistas says

    April 21, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    I didn’t know this and it’s good info to have since I have two very dull punches from punching hundreds and hundreds of plastic ziplocks for a project we did when my son and his Marine Corps buddies were stationed in Iraq. I love the idea of punching out a coke can and other metal as well. I’d have never thought the punches could cut through. Thanks for the info. I’ll be pinning it so I don’t forget.
    Liz

  7. Jenna says

    April 21, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    Thanks!!!!! Great to know!!!!

  8. June says

    April 21, 2013 at 11:55 pm

    Great tip, Noreen! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Gloria says

    April 22, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Oh, wow! that is great! I really need to sharpen my hole punch! Thanks for sharing!
    Found you at This Gal Cooks.
    Gloria

  10. Diane says

    April 22, 2013 at 12:58 am

    Who knew! Great idea! Visiting from “Mix it up Monday”! Blessings to you!

  11. Mel says

    April 22, 2013 at 12:59 am

    Thats really useful, thanks for sharing 🙂

  12. Simplee Sue says

    April 22, 2013 at 1:43 am

    Cool! I didn’t know that tip. Thank you for sharing. I have punches that need sharpening.

    Consider yourself hugged.

  13. Donna Wilkes says

    April 22, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Thanks for passing on the tip. I have used this with scissors. Like Lynda above I have wondered why it works!

  14. Angela says

    April 22, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    I’ve tried this with scissors and it worked okay; not a huge difference. I’m glad it worked for you. Stopping by from I Should be Mopping.

  15. Cheryl says

    April 22, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    I love this! I am pinning it for sure! Thanks so much!!

  16. Gail @http://biblelovenotes.com says

    April 22, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    I never even thought of this. What a great idea. I have a few punches I should sharpen. Thanks.

  17. The French Hens Nest says

    April 22, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

    Linda at The French Hens Nest

  18. di @ musings says

    April 22, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    This is a great tip, I’ll be punching tonight. 🙂

  19. Michelle says

    April 23, 2013 at 1:39 am

    Saw this at In & Out of the kitchen. Awesome tip! Thanks!

  20. Peggy says

    April 23, 2013 at 2:49 am

    Thank you Noreen for this fabulous tip. This was something I did not know.
    Hugs,
    Peggy

  21. Sande says

    April 23, 2013 at 2:59 am

    What a great idea! I have a number of punches that I was going to throw away because they are dull but now I will have to try your remedy and see if I can save them. One is a favorite corner punch they no longer make so this is a great tip . Thanks a million

  22. Virginia says

    April 23, 2013 at 4:35 am

    Thanks for the great tip. I had no idea! I was wondering the other day what to do about my dull punches. You have great timing! Pinning.

  23. Emily says

    April 23, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    awesome tip! I first saw someone do this on that show craft wars :o) thanks

  24. Karen Mary Butterfly says

    April 23, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Found you at “Adventures of a DIY Mom’s party today! This is a great tip! Pinning it to my “Wow, That’s Smart” board on Pinterest! thanks!
    Karen

  25. Diane says

    April 23, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    Great tip. Thanks for sharing at The Gathering Spot this week.

  26. Danielle says

    April 23, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    We used foil for my wedding… But I hadn’t thought of a soda can! Great tip! Found you at Our Delightful Home’s party… Hope you have a great Tuesday!

    Danielle
    SewMuchCrafting.com

  27. Camila says

    April 23, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    This is an Awesome tip, Wow Thanks for sharing this!!!

    Hope you are having a lovely day!

    Hugs
    Cami

  28. Tonia@thegunnysack says

    April 24, 2013 at 12:41 am

    How cool is that? I’m going to have to go sharpen my punches. Thanks for sharing at Time To Sparkle!

  29. Stephanie Pass says

    April 24, 2013 at 3:56 am

    Wow, I just never thought about my punchers getting dull. I will definitely have to try this. Thanks for sharing such a cool idea.

  30. Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says

    April 24, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Excellent! I never thought you could do this! I just figured if it became dull, it was just dull! I can’t wait to try this:) Thanks so much for the great tip!

  31. Sarah Lynn says

    April 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    I would have never thought about this, what a great tip! Thanks for sharing, pinning for future use!

  32. Capri + 3--Theresa says

    April 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    That is a great tip. It is nice to have a sharp hole punch to make things (such as the lacing cards you made). Thank you for sharing on Artsy Play Wednesday.

  33. D says

    April 24, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    Great tip! I need to sharpen my 1 & 3-hole punches. I sharpen my scissors on the edge of my great-grandmother’s butter churn! Thanks so much for sharing. Hope to see you again soon! Blessings, D

  34. admin says

    April 24, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    A fun way to use your great-grandmother’s butter churn! I love using vintage family things. We use old aluminum knitting needles to make jump rings for jewelry.

    Noreen

  35. Cynthia L. says

    April 25, 2013 at 1:32 am

    What a great tip! You not only get sharp paper punches, but great little dots!
    Thank you!

    Cynthia

  36. Julia Forshee says

    April 25, 2013 at 1:35 am

    This is an AMAZING tip. I have never heard of this before!! Thank you so much for sharing it!!

  37. Barbie Ritzman says

    April 25, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    I found you on the Wednesday Chronicles, I LOVE your blog. Anything D.I.Y. I’m all about.
    xoxo
    ~Barbie

  38. Alexis AKA MOM says

    April 25, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    I’ve always wondered how to do that! And a soda can that is just brilliant! Thanks for the tip!

    Stopping by from Adorned from Above.

    Alexis

  39. Kim @ Soilioquy Of Food & Such says

    April 26, 2013 at 12:57 am

    This is such a great tip….I have a 3-hole punch that’s acting up. I will try your method :o)
    Stopping by from The Best Blog Recipes.

  40. Joyce says

    April 26, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Hi! Visiting from Diana’s party. Thank you for this great info. I love punches and have built up quite a collection. Hated the thoght of just throwing them out once they become dull. I will use your ideas. Thanks!

  41. Leah says

    April 26, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    I had heard of punching aluminum foil to sharpen punches, but on detailed punches it would just get stuck – I will try folding it a few times and see if that works better – or I’ll try punching soda cans, love the metal snowflake you made that way.

  42. admin says

    April 26, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Some of the intricate edges do get stuck, but I just carefully work the snowflake out.

    Noreen

  43. Patricia @ ButterYum says

    April 27, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Brilliant!!

  44. Ginny says

    April 27, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    What a great tip!

  45. Diana Rambles says

    April 27, 2013 at 11:41 pm

    Great tip!

  46. Simsim says

    April 28, 2013 at 7:39 am

    Great tip, thanks. We are thinking of starting a tips and techniques section soon, and would love to share this post! xxxx

  47. Lanaya says

    April 28, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    Aluminum foil … who knew??

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo

  48. Mandy says

    April 28, 2013 at 7:59 pm

    This is such a great idea! I’ve pinned it.

  49. Leslie says

    April 29, 2013 at 1:04 am

    I have used aluminum foil before to sharpen punches, it works like a charm!

    Leslie

  50. Marie says

    April 29, 2013 at 2:26 am

    Wow, this is great information! I have some dull punches and thought I should just chuck them! Now I won’t have to. I’ll be featuring this on my party highlights post this week!

  51. Jeni says

    April 29, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    This is such a genius idea!! Thanks!

  52. Maureen says

    April 29, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    This is a great tip and I’m pinning it to share!

  53. Bella says

    May 1, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Never tried this before, but my hole punches really need sharpening. Thanks for the great tip!

  54. Lori Who Needs A Cape? says

    May 1, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, thanks for sharing!

    Lori

  55. Hani Shabbir says

    May 1, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    You have been featured at Craftionary. 🙂

  56. Betsy says

    May 2, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Nice!! This is a great tip. Thanks. I’m now following you.

  57. Theresa says

    May 2, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    Hi Noreen, Such an awesome tip! I’m giving your post a shout out!

  58. creativejewishmom/sara says

    May 2, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    fabulous tip, thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!

  59. Ruthie says

    May 4, 2013 at 2:36 am

    How super cool… I learned something new! Thanks so much for coming to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell last week… I hope you’ll come back to party with me again tomorrow! http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com Have a great night! xoxo~ Ruthie

  60. Monique says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Hey, thats a realy great idea! I must test it, my puncher seemed to be “dead”, so maybe he will be reanimated. 🙂 (Sorry if it sounds funny, my english is schoolenglish and school was… okay too long ago).

    Bye
    Monique

  61. Sara says

    May 9, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Wow didn’t think hole punchers needed sharpening!

  62. Cher @ Designs by Studio C says

    May 12, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Wow! I knew cutting through aluminum would sharpen scissors but never thought about using a punch! Awesome tip!

    Cher

  63. Bevin says

    May 13, 2013 at 2:46 am

    This is a neat idea to remember! Thank you for sharing!

  64. BeColorful says

    May 15, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Great idea and I like how the punches look when created from the coke can. Thanks for sharing.
    p

  65. TheBargainBabe says

    January 3, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Saw your link at Livin the Mom Life. I’ve heard of using foil to sharpen a punch but never thought to use a soda can! I bet that is the most effective way to do it!

  66. Jonell harrison says

    January 7, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    You share the BEST IDEAS!

  67. Cathy@My1929Charmer says

    January 20, 2014 at 3:35 am

    Wow I am so glad you posted this because both my hole punch and tag punches are getting dull! I certainly never would of thought of it myself. Thanks again for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best!

  68. Cheri says

    May 5, 2014 at 1:26 am

    I have used the aluminum foil and it does work but the coke tin might work better. I will remember that next time I get my punches out! Great idea!

  69. Jennifer Partridge says

    May 25, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Hi Noreen!

    I am so happy to have discovered your website (just in time to make some cool graduation gifts like the money wallet!)!!! 🙂

    This is a GREAT tip (I’m a paper crafter and have an extensive punch collection)!!!!!! I do have a question though: how do you cut the soda can into sheets in order to punch?

    Thank you so much for sharing!

    Crafty hugs,

    Jennifer

  70. Noreen says

    May 25, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    I’ll post a tutorial on how to cut a soda can into a sheet.

  71. Clark says

    June 11, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Thanks for the tip, it really helped!

  72. Emma says

    June 15, 2017 at 5:51 am

    Yay! I thought I was going to have to get rid of my butterfly paper punch because it’s gotten so dull. Definitely giving this a try. P.S. I love that you turned even the products of the sharpening into something creative – you rock!

  73. JaneEKat says

    March 27, 2019 at 4:59 am

    This is fantastic!! Sharpening punches and scissors with aluminum .. thanks!!!

  74. Mary Schneider says

    December 8, 2019 at 3:50 am

    Do you think this would work with die cuts?

  75. Noreen says

    December 23, 2019 at 3:10 am

    It seems as though it would – it’s pretty much the same principle. But I haven’t tried it. Let me know how it goes if you try it.

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