Beverly Shears - | The Tools of the Trade | Forum

Hi Viola. I think you may have 2 different problems. The tearing is likely from poor fit up of the blades. That may be because the shear frame has loose tolerances, or if it's adjustable, that it isn't set correctly. Add for the chipping I would think that the blades aren't properly heat treated. They are likely full hard and not tempered. They may not even be normalized. Are your blades single edged, or reversable? One of the demonstrations at Swaptoberfest was on heat treating put on by Ryna who lives in Edmonds, WA. She might be a good one to ask about re- heat treating your blades. She could probably give advice about making new blades that could work better (if the shear is worth it). Good luck.