The Sewing Place

Scissor recommendations please

JudyN

Scissor recommendations please
« on: August 03, 2020, 13:56:42 PM »
I'm not sure my dressmaking scissors are as sharp as they could be - the brand is Silky, and they're 37 years old (eeek! How is that even possible??). Recommendations for a new pair please? They're for general cutting out, but I wonder if it woul be helpful to have a smaller pair too for snipping round notches?

sewingj

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2020, 14:33:26 PM »
I`ve always got on very well with Fiskars - lots of different sizes, not too expensive and you can get a sharpener too

BrendaP

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2020, 14:49:42 PM »
I have these and they are excellent.  Pair of snips included.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Galadim-Dressmaking-Scissors-Dressmaker-GD-003-C-1/dp/B08B567SS1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Dressmaking+Scissors+10+inch+%2825.5cm%29+by+Galadim&qid=1596462223&s=kitchen&sr=1-3
Even my daughter who makes curtains etc professionally and so does a lot of cutting out, described them as "very nice".

The best embroidery scissors though are
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Wonderful-Scissors-Emma-Oliver-Serrated/dp/B07G8KWS34/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sarah+kay+buckley&qid=1596462391&s=kitchen&sr=1-1
They have very fine points and cut threads first time every time all the way along the blades.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Mr Twingo

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2020, 15:41:04 PM »
I concur with @sewingj — Fiskars scissors are superb in my experience. A little pricey, but well worth it.

wrenkins

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2020, 15:43:18 PM »
My antique shears gave up the ghost and I replaced them with Fiskars. I love them but it's bit early days to recommend for longevity.
Harbouring resentment is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die!

Gernella

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2020, 16:18:14 PM »
I've got the Galadin ones and they are great but a bit on the heavy side. My best pair are Ginghers but I also have an older pair of Fiskars and a new pair for Christmas.  I must admit I do like to use them along with the little needle work scissors they produce, which I use for long ends if the snips have gone missing.

The load of freebies ones I got with a sewing machine usually finish up cutting paper, they are handy but not likely to last long.

My oldest pair are some Singer ones I got for my 21st birthday, so that's 53 years old.  They have been relegated to paper cutting, mostly at Christmas.  They still cut well though.
Stash extension 2024- 6.1 meters
Left at the end of 2023 - 66 meters now (includes fabric found hidden out of sight)  Lining fabric not included

JudyN

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2020, 18:20:03 PM »
Thank you all - I'll have a look at all the recommendations on Amazon :D

Flobear

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2020, 19:17:31 PM »
My Fiskars shears have been going for at least 25 years. Definitely longevitified  :thumbsup:
Proud new owner of Elvistoo !!

twopence

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2020, 19:25:04 PM »
My Friskars shears are about 45 years old and still cut right to the point, it’s just my hand that doesn’t work properly.  I also have the small scissors which are sharp right to the point too.

SkoutSews

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2020, 23:25:02 PM »
Kai scissors are very good too. I have a smaller pair which are very useful for notches, clipping seams and other small jobs. My cutting-out scissors are Fiskars (Wilkinson Sword) and I've had them since about 1980  :|
When it's time to replace them I'll definitely consider the Kai range.

BrendaP

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2020, 10:40:06 AM »
My cutting-out scissors are Fiskars (Wilkinson Sword) and I've had them since about 1980  :|

Mine are about the same vintage; they say Fiskars on the handles and Wilkinson Sword on the blades.  They still cut very well on lightweight fabrics.  The Galadim shears are better for heavier fabric.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

SkoutSews

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2020, 10:52:41 AM »
That's interesting, @BrendaP, it must have been a good vintage! I bought a pair of the Galadim scissors after your previous recommendation, but I have to admit that they're still in the box. I'll bring them out to tackle the winter fabrics.

So Chic

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2020, 11:14:45 AM »
I have about a dozen pairs of scissors, mainly Fiskars and Kai, with more specialised such as pinking shears, duck billed, and embroidery.  I also have a pair of Singer scissors which are over 60 years old and now only used for cutting paper.
So Chic
Bernina Artista 630, Bernina 800DL, Janome Cover Pro 1000CP and an elderly Singer Touch & Sew 720G as a back up

Ohsewsimple

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2020, 12:05:55 PM »
I have a couple of pairs of Mundial.  The oldest are better.  We used to us them at the shop where I worked.  Fourteen years of daily cutting with 3 pairs. 

I have to have something with cushioned handles otherwise my hands hurt due to arthritis. 

KayK

Re: Scissor recommendations please
« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2020, 12:55:21 PM »
I have two pairs of Fiskars scissors from 1977, still going strong, and have other pairs of newer Fiskars, and the quality appears to be the same.  I did buy a Fiskars scissor sharpener that I use regularly.  Really happy with them!
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well