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Member since 8/6/03
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Posted on: 1/7/05 4:00 PM ET
I noticed a tool at Pearl's today -- a home scissors sharpener. Does anyone use this? Or do you have good scissors professionally sharpened, since sharpeners 'eat' edges?

(BTW I bought my Ginghers 3 years ago but only really started using them within the past year. They are already getting really dull and fussy. Prompted by someone else's post here I checked and they were made in Mexico! I know someone else posted about this elsewhere, but wanted to chime in.)
  
Member since 9/18/02
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Posted on: 1/7/05 5:01 PM ET
I guess it depends how much you paid for the scissors, and whether, if you ruin them, you'll be upset at having to buy another pair!

I would be inclined to take my shears to a professional sharpening service, but if you're not satisfied with your Ginghers (and it sounds like you're not), then maybe you should consider just buying a new pair. You could try the Kai shears that were mentioned in that Gingher discussion: Kai Scissors web site.

Since you live close to Satin Moon (IIRC), you could also ask there whether they have a sharpening service, or for a recommendation about who to take the Ginghers to.
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Debbie
Viking Sapphire 930, Babylock Evolution
  
Member since 10/25/04
Posts: 7464
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Posted on: 1/7/05 6:17 PM ET
In reply to Tailypo
I have a Fiskars sharpener that I use to sharpen up my scissors. It is easy to use and does put a sharper edge on my scissors, specially the points where I seem to blunten them easily.

I bought mine in Joanne when visiting the States last year..an online sewing friend took me and I got to use her 50% voucher I seem to recall it was around $5 with the voucher.
They are also available in Oz too for our members Downunder Vonne
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Vonne šOš Brisbane Australia
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Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age and dreams are forever.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
  
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Member since 7/30/02
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Posted on: 1/7/05 7:50 PM ET
I have one of the knife sharpeners, which I bought after reading a review of it in Consumer Reports. Anyway, I think the good quality sharpeners for home are supposed to do a good job. And if you bring them to get sharpened, you don't know how good the person is.

That being said, I'm probably going to take mine to be sharpened when the time comes. I don't think I want to buy a home scissors sharpener. I have enough stuff around the house!

I kind of like Debbie's suggestion, if you aren't happy with your pair anyway. It might be worth just buying a new pair rather than fighting with the one you have.
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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/11/05 2:42 PM ET
I have a pair of Wiss that I have professionally sharpened about every 2 years. I would not do them myself.

I have a paid of Henkels, that I would consider sharpening myslef, but it is just as easy to have them down with the Wiss. I have the same person sharpen my chef's knife too.

I find that the Henkels dull first.

I think that if you have good $$ scissors, it is worth having them down by a pro, the edge will stay sharp for a long time.

If you do not have a fabric store in town that arranges sharpening, check with your hairdresser. They have their scissors done by pros.
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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 8/6/03
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Posted on: 1/11/05 3:51 PM ET
In reply to Michelle T
Aren't you clever! Thanks for the tip.
  
Member since 1/26/03
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Posted on: 1/11/05 3:52 PM ET
In reply to Michelle T
What a great suggestion, Michelle. I have exhausted the fabric stores, where they look at me like I have three heads and bluntly tell me to buy new scissors.
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Buy the best and you only cry once.

  
Member since 4/16/04
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Posted on: 1/12/05 11:42 PM ET
Well StitchMD, it sounds like a very reasonable question to me! Our local Hancocks has a gentleman come in every 3-4 month to sharpen scissors while you shop! He is very good and charges half the price of the cultery shop.

Knives are fairly simple to sharpen, but scissors take a little more skill, I believe.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/20/05 11:06 AM ET
In reply to Cathy Loves Fabric
Yes, scissors are trickier. My husband sharpens our knives, axes, chisels...even the blade on my serger, but he can't do scissors. I just had three pairs done at the repair shop (not fabric shop) which is fixing my serger. It cost $12, and I'm happy.
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Tessa
  
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