Replies

1. 
   Marionc032 | Jan 25, 2007 07:33am | #1

   I bought a pair of shears with a micro-serrated edge almos 30 years ago. LOVE them! I've never had to sharpen them (I don't think micro-serrated edge can be sharpened) and they still cut great whether its fine silk or heavy denim, and I sew a lot! Mine were made by Singer, but I don't think they make them anymore, however, I know that Mundial currently makes them too, as do other manufacturers.HTH,
   Marion

2. 
   Thimblefingers | Jan 25, 2007 09:12am | #2

   Just like one fabric doesn't suit all designs, one scissor doesn't cut everything, for me.  I have some wonderful huge tailor shears for heavy fabrics and woolens, and the micro-serrated ones for knits and slippery fabrics like bemberg and chiffon (I love them, too!  Can't remember how I lived before them! Ginghers), a good solid dressmaker shear for almost everything else (Henkels), and a smaller lighter shear for intricate work (Singer).  I prefer Henkels top end shears (watch out - they also have a poorer quality product - I think you tell by the number of men on the logo), and the beautiful metal Ginghers.  The most important thing, though, apart from buying quality, is the fit of the handle to your hand.  A great shear is not going to work well for you if it is uncomfortable or painful.  My advice is to try out a few pairs of the high quality shears and pick the one that feels the best on your hand. 

3. 
   jatman | Jan 25, 2007 10:01am | #3

   Hi Beebuzzled -

   I have a pair of Gingher's that have been really good to me.  I've cut a multitude of fabrics with them and never had a problem.  I hesitated before buying them because of the price (they were about $40 USD a couple of years ago) but I'm glad I did.  They are the best scissors I've had so far.

   JT

1. 
   beebuzzled | Jan 25, 2007 05:38pm | #4

   Thanks for the suggestions. It's been such a long time since I've been able to really sew, that I'm totally out of the loop with regards to equipment. I appreciate the help.

    

1. 
   Teaf5 | Jan 26, 2007 02:14am | #5

   I adore my Ginghers, too, although Henkels are a very close second. To keep them safe, I buy lots of other scissors to have around the house so that nobody else has any reason to use mine!

1. 
   Josefly | Jan 26, 2007 07:54am | #6

   Me, too - love my Ginghers, and have at least one pair of other scissors in every room in the house. Keep my good Ginghers always in their sheath, and everyone knows not to touch those.

4. 
   jatman | Jan 26, 2007 09:27am | #7

   Yes!  I completely forgot to mention the fact that my Gingher's are used ONLY for cutting fabric.  NOTHING else.  I have other less expensive scissors on the desk and in the kitchen for cutting paper, tape, packaging, etc.  It's probably made a difference in how long my scissors have remained usefull. 

   JT

1. 
   thimbles1260 | Jan 28, 2007 05:50pm | #9

   I have heard that Gingher scissors have a lifetime guarantee and thay they can be sent in free of charge for sharpening/fixing.  Have any of you done this?  I have a pair of Ginghers that I really like but there seems to be a small nick/catch in them when I cut lighter fabrics such as single layer light cotton fabrics.

1. 
   fabricholic | Jan 28, 2007 08:31pm | #10

   I love my Fiskars. They are not heavy and do not cut into my hands. They do have to be sharpened, every once in a while. A woman at Hancock's taught me a little trick. She took out her metal nail file and went down the scissors, next to the slanted angle. That made a big difference when she cut the material. I watched her do this and it worked.Marcy

2. 
   jatman | Jan 28, 2007 11:02pm | #11

   Hi Thimbles!  I've never had to have them sharpened but I did get on their website and found this:

   http://www.gingher.com/scissorsharpening.aspx

   Hope that helps!

   JT

1. 
   Ralphetta | Jan 29, 2007 02:44am | #12

   I happened to be reading your response and want to thank you for the Gingher info.  I damaged mine a few years ago, stuck them in a drawer and had forgotten about them until reading your discussion!  Now that you've supplied me with the info, I have no excuse to continue procrastinating.  Thank You!

1. 
   jatman | Jan 29, 2007 09:49am | #13

   I'm not sure why I kept the paper that came with my scissors but I'm glad I did since I couldn't seem to find their website on my own!  So glad I could help!

   JT

2. 
   thimbles1260 | Jan 29, 2007 03:30pm | #14

   Good morning JT!  You are good!!  Thank you for the information on Gingher.  I plan to send my scissors in this week!

5. 
   aliceb | Jan 27, 2007 04:15am | #8

   Ahhh lucky you looking for new sissors. I have several pair of Ginghers but now find them too heavy and suffer repetitive motion injuries if I do a lot of cutting. I have since discovered Kai sissors, these are much lighter weight, very sharp and do not injure my hands. I love my Kais. You can do a google search to find suppliers.

6. 
   sewingkmulkey | Jan 30, 2007 12:31am | #15

   I've sent in my Gingher scissors to the manufacturer several times for sharpening.  They come back like new!

   Karen

7. 
   cree9 | Feb 03, 2007 05:58am | #16

   I have used many scissors and I am particularly fond of the Fiskars that are spring loaded - you close them to cut and they spring open on their own - these make cutting half the work and for the arthritic hands this is a true blessing - I have three pairs and use them all for fabric only and when I am not rotary cutting I swear by them.

1. 
   beebuzzled | Feb 03, 2007 06:24am | #17

   Thanks again for all of the replies. I am going to look into all of the brands mentioned and see which one or ones work best for my hands.

    

1. 
   sewmom3 | Feb 03, 2007 06:59am | #18

   I love the very light weight Gingher shears- the ones that have literally a plastic assembly into which the blades are set. I have used them for the heavy weight fabrics I use in making Renaissance garb. I like them so well that as each of my daughters has learned to sew I have gotten them a pair. they don't look like any regular scissor  so they are easy to protect from damaging missuse.

   I have used the spring Fiskars and if I was cutting a lot at once I might use them but since the price is comparable to the Ginghers and the one size of Ginghers does what it takes the snip size and the shear size Fiskars to do I would opt for the Ginghers.

   The snip size spring Fiskars are very handy and they have one of the finest points I have found

8. 
   ineedaserger329 | Mar 18, 2007 11:40pm | #19

   I used my g-mom's scissors for a long time and they are the best ones I've found out there yet....they are a long pair of gingher scissors. They are great as long as you only use them on fabric...i used to use them on patterns, but i found that dulled them faster.