Ladies, and men (I supose I should add),
I am about to invest in a new scissors. I have had an 8″ Gingher dressmakers sheers for about 15 years and I need a new one. I want a strong good quality, but I’m not sure if I want a Gingher again. So, do any of you have any advice and insight on this matter?
Thank you sew much
S.
Replies
I too have a pair of Gingers that I have had for almost 20 years.....BUT, hands down, I use my Fiskars Soft Touch spring action scissors for all my fabric cutting. I have two pair of 8 inch and a smaller version as well. I have arthritis in my hands and can' t imagine cutting out garments without the Fiskars.
You know, I forgot about those! A lady that I worked for in a tailor shop had those and I really did like them. I dont have arthritis, but I make work pants for my husband and cutting through heavy twill or even denim can be torment on my hands after a while. Thats a good option. Thank you!
Ditto on the Fiskars, but they don't last as long. I also finally bought a tiny rotary cutter for curves so I cut most of my patterns out with a variety of rotary cutters. I also have some electric scissors that my son gave me for Christmas, they are nice too, I mostly use them on the thicker fabrics.
Hi Mary, You mentioned the Fiskars not lasting. I have a pair of the soft-touch spring loaded ones that I've had for about 10 years not and they're still going strong. The fact that I have cut a ton of fleece with them is an even greater wonder. Maybe I just managed to get an extraordinary pair. Anyway, I love them and it surely does reduce strain when cutting lots of things at one time. I don't have arthritis but still my hands tire.
Happy Day!
Kay
I agree...Mine first pair are at least 10 years old....I just purchased a second pair because they were on sale at 50% off a couple of months ago at either Hancock or Joann...I've forgotten which....
Hmmm, mine broke within a few months and when I mentioned it to the women at Hancock they said they loved them but had the same problem. They used them for cutting fabrics at the store.
I just buy new Fiscars whenever I need them. You can mail them to the company and I think thier warranty would cover them. I just think that is more hassle than replacing them. My newest ones are working out very well, I must say. They are a different shape than the original. I love my Fiscar thread snippers and have had the same pair for years.
I liked them while they worked but not enough to buy new ones twice a year. From what people are saying it sounds like they usually last longer. I guess I will give them another try.
Hi Sussana,
I initandially acquired my Fiskars for the ease of tendonits in my wrists, I am also left handed and have never found left handed scissors a posative influence,the fiskars are a dream to use.
regards and happy stitching
wombat
Like Mary, I do nearly all of my cutting with rotary cutters. But you have to have scissors. Years ago I worked in a fabric store and was able to buy quite a few pair of shears. I think my favorite are the Marks or Marx, not sure. I would have to run downstairs to check the name but I am also not sure if they are made any more. They are quite heavy and well made, a really beautiful pair. I have most of the other companies as well but these are very nice.
The absolutely best I have ever owned are my Belding Corticelli scissors. I bought them in the early seventies for cutting knit. They cut through fabric like a hot knife through butter!
My introduction to these great scissors was through the Lucille Rivers Sewing program on TV, that like many other sewing programs, is now defunct.
Edited 6/17/2007 11:49 am ET by spicegirl1
I remember Lucille Rivers. She was great and had a great program. I checked and the name on my scissors is Marks.
I went to Wal-mart and bought the $6.00 Acme Titanium ones...they are gray and yellow. They are the best scissors I have ever used, including my mom and grandmom's Ginghers. I sew a lot and unfortunately, it seems I cut even more.......These stay sharp forever...well maybe not, but I have had them for three years and have never had to sharpen them.....and they get used every day. I know it's all preferance, but I figure if you get and don't like them, you have only lost $6.00. Good Luck in your search.
I have been using a rotary cutter for so long that it's been a while since I had my scissors professionally sharpened. In fact the last time was when the store I went to sent them out and I was without my best scissors for a week! Talk about going cold turkey!
Recently, I saw a elderly gentleman sharpening scissors at Joann's (as a special for customers). I don't know what he charged, but I have a feeling it was more than $6.00 titaniums at WM!
I don't need another pair of scissors................but now I have to try out the $6.00 beauty from WM!
I love my Kai scissors. They are so smooth and fabulous. Check out their web site.
http://www.kaiscissors.com/
I've been most happy with the KAI scissor I invested in. Pricey, hard to find but sturdy, great tip, wonderful precision, comfortable.
Gingher now has a new spring-loaded scissors. I use Gingher and also real tailoring shears, like 10" heavy duty, they are wonderful and since they are longer than the 8" Ginghers the strokes are long and clean. They are similar to the larger 10" Gingher shears made for tailors. I have a pair of those too but find the handles are too big for my hands. I wear glove size 7 1/2 or 8, but these have too much 'play' in my hand so I cannot grasp properly.
I like the spring loaded scissors also, as I have mild arthritis, and they keep my hands from getting sore and fatigued.T.
I love my gingher scissors. When I used to have to cut through denim to shorten jeans for my kids, I was convinced the first time I tried it with Gingher. Mine must be 20+ years old--just now, thinking I should have them sharpened. I bought a pair for my daughter too when she showed an interest in sewing--she had been using Fiskar.
I just wanted to thank everyone that replied for their advice, I am surprised how helpful this forum is.
I think that I am going to check into the spring loaded scissors first Gingher then Fiskars.
thank you again,
Sussana
I also have the Ginger's from many moons ago but do like the Friskars, not the regular ones, the ones they use for the garden! Honestly, they have stayed sharper than anything I've used.
M
huh, really garden scissors?!
what is it that you like about them?
Sussana
Sussana, they are friskars but supposedly made for cutting flowers in the garden. My daughter gave them to me one year for Mother's day. They are as sharp as ever. M
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