Junia
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TX USA
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Date: 6/12/10 3:36 PM Hi,
I bought some Mundial pinking shears which were not cheap but they don't seem to cut very well. They are hacking at the fabric and it's very hard to get a clean cut. Am I using them the wrong way? Have I bought dud ones? I need left handed ones and thought paying for a better brand would be the way to go.
I remember trying to use my mother's ones (right handed) and giving up - is it technique? |
Miss Fairchild
 
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Date: 6/12/10 3:39 PM I had heard, read, whatever, somewhere that if you cut tin foil with them, they will sharpen. Also try tightening or loosening the screw; it might need adjusting. ------
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snoopydancin
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FL USA
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Date: 6/12/10 6:40 PM Have you tried oiling them? I brush mine out with an old toothbrush (or any soft cleaning brush) to get any lint etc.. out of the area where the blades join together, and then a spray of WD-40 or a couple drops of your SM oil brushed in there & on the blades,then wipe them down and cut some fabric scraps or paper towel to get any remaining excess oil that might stain. And as the other poster said loosening them a bit, some have a nut/bolt type fastener, others screws and a rivet.
They tend to tighten up after using them for a bit, especially the nut/bolt type it seems. I have 3 pair, 2 vintage from Grandma's stash and a Fiskars w/ the rubber ergonomic handle which are much lighter than the others. All different in how they fasten together but the same when it comes to cleaning/oiling.
Also I bought the pinking blades for my rotary cutter which are a godsend when my tendonitis flares up.
Anyway, hope it helps!
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MarthaA24
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In reply to Junia
Date: 6/12/10 8:03 PM I think I would take them back to the store and see what they say. New ones shouldn't have any problem cutting. ------
Martha |
Sharon1952
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Subject: Pinking shears - cant make them cut very well Date: 6/12/10 8:12 PM Are you using them with your left or right hand? Mine need to be squeezed together to work well. But I do have some fabrics (mostly knits) that don't cut well at all. ------
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Mufffet
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VT USA
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In reply to Junia
Date: 6/12/10 8:15 PM Yes, definitely take them back. That is a quality brand and they should work well. Mine are Ginghers and they are really nice. After awhile - say 10 years - they may get dull, and I have NEVER had pinking shears successfully sharpened. I bought the Ginghers because my newly sharpened WISS shears were ruined in the process for good. Since I hardly ever use pinking shears anymore because of overcasting the seam edges with my serger, they won't go dull very soon. 
Good luck! ------
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ekFitz
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OR USA
Member since 8/22/09
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Date: 6/12/10 9:13 PM I bought a pair of mundials a month or two ago and had the exact same problem. I took them back and bought the Ginghars. The new ones work perfectly. Definitely return them and get a different set (and ask the store to test them for you before you leave).
Erin ------
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RockNRoll
TN USA
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Date: 6/12/10 9:17 PM i bought a cheapies fiskars and I used my Sewing machine oil. Let is sit overnight in the oil, and then cleaned it. Works okay but still gets stuck, I may try a pair of Gingher.
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nancy2001
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AL USA
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Subject: Pinking shears - cant make them cut very well Date: 6/12/10 9:25 PM My pinking shears work much more easily since I oiled them. ------
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JillyBe
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CA USA
Member since 1/20/10
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Date: 6/12/10 9:39 PM Brand new pinking shears should work well w/o oiling, etc., imho....I would definitely take them back.
I do remember reading that pinkies should only be used on one layer of fabric at a time - I don't think this is necessarily true, but if you have to force them, you may be trying on too many layers.. Don't start or finish the cut at the either end of the blade - give it a bit of space. & do oil them occasionally for maintenance.
FWIW, I had my 60+ yr old Wiss pinkers sharpened (I can clearly remember abusing them terribly as a child, it's a wonder they cut anything at all!) & they came back w/ a beautiful edge & work perfectly. It's a matter of finding a reputable place to do the work - not every scissor sharpener has the tools & know-how to sharpen pinkies! ------
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