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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 12/30/06 1:41 PM ET
I'm trying to decide what brand/model shears to buy for cutting fabric. The ones I've seen and liked in my local fabric store are Gingher 8" knife edge dressmakers shears. They also have one that has one serated blade and one knife edge blade . . . is it better to get the ones with the serated edge or go with both blades knife edge? Is one more versatile than the other?
Are there any other brands or models people would suggest instead of the Gingher ones?
Thanks
Are there any other brands or models people would suggest instead of the Gingher ones?
Thanks
Posted on: 12/30/06 2:18 PM ET
In reply to Miramar
I think that you will get people who like many different brands of scissors. I have two pair, 8 inch Henkels that I bought about 18 years ago and my grandmothers Ginghers (I have no idea how old they are).
The Henkels are lightweight and I find that they tend to pull thicker fabric and are a bit more work to use. They also need sharpening more often.
The Ginghers are incredible, they cut through thick, thin, slippery fabrics equally well. They hold an edge for a long time. These are the ones I reach for first.
I have not tried any other brands of scissors as the Ginghers meet all my needs.
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The Henkels are lightweight and I find that they tend to pull thicker fabric and are a bit more work to use. They also need sharpening more often.
The Ginghers are incredible, they cut through thick, thin, slippery fabrics equally well. They hold an edge for a long time. These are the ones I reach for first.
I have not tried any other brands of scissors as the Ginghers meet all my needs.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Posted on: 12/30/06 3:23 PM ET
In reply to Miramar
I like my Kai shears a lot. I have the 8 inch and the 6 inch. I also have Gingher (old and needing to be sharpened, and I do like them, too). I have some very old Wiss pinking shears that I seldom, actually never, use anymore, but I can't bring myself to part with them. I also have Mundial shears, but the screw connecting the blades continually works itself loose. Right now, I tend to reach for the Kai shears first. I've been very pleased with them. (Had never heard of them until someone mentioned them here on Pattern Review.)
Posted on: 12/30/06 4:06 PM ET
Great, thanks for the suggestions.
Any thoughts on whether it is better to go with a full knife edge shear or go for one with the lower blade serated??
Thanks.
Any thoughts on whether it is better to go with a full knife edge shear or go for one with the lower blade serated??
Thanks.
Posted on: 12/30/06 4:12 PM ET
In reply to Miramar
I love my Kai scissors. I came across and tried out a pair at the ASG conference this past Aug. They are very comfortable and lightweight. I now enjoy cutting out my fabric pieces. :)
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We can never have too many hobbies. We just need more hours in the day to enjoy them.
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Singer Featherweight 221 (1938)
BabyLock Jubilant
BabyLock Imagine (serger)/Coverstitch
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_______________________________
Singer Featherweight 221 (1938)
BabyLock Jubilant
BabyLock Imagine (serger)/Coverstitch
Viking Sapphire 850/Platinum 770
Posted on: 12/30/06 5:41 PM ET
I have Gingers, but I understand that they may be being made out of softer material now than they used to. There was a discussion at the expo in Cynthia Guffey's class about that. She used to use Gingers, but said they would not hold the sharpening for long. She recommended the Kais and said they rarely needed sharpening.
I have a wonderful machine dealer and they have been sharpening sissors for years and really know how to do it well. Sew, for me sharpness is not an issue. I think however, I am going to get myself a pair of Kais soon.
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I have a wonderful machine dealer and they have been sharpening sissors for years and really know how to do it well. Sew, for me sharpness is not an issue. I think however, I am going to get myself a pair of Kais soon.
------
"Sewing should be fun; make it that way!" Margaret Islander
Flying through life by the seat of my pants and hoping I get my crotch curve right.
"No humiliation is too great for a well fitting pair of pants!" Heidi Cooper
J6500P,
J1600P
J3160DC
J350E
JCP1000
Babylock Enlighten serger
My grandmother's Feather Weight
Flying through life by the seat of my pants and hoping I get my crotch curve right.
"No humiliation is too great for a well fitting pair of pants!" Heidi Cooper
J6500P,
J1600P
J3160DC
J350E
JCP1000
Babylock Enlighten serger
My grandmother's Feather Weight
Posted on: 12/30/06 7:12 PM ET
I would first buy knife edge scissors for they will be used for most of your needs. I have a pair of serrated edged scissors. I use them when working with Chiffon and other fabrics that tend to move as you cut them. The serrated edge keeps it from shifting allowing for a cleaner cut. They are trickier to sharpen (not sure if they can be), so I wipe off with a soft dry cloth and store them in the original box to keep sharp. I really don't use them as much as I thought I would but are very useful when I do.
Scissors are very tactile, they should feel good in your hand or you won't like to use them. Kai's are becoming more popular, they hold their sharpness and the rubberized handle is comfortable. Try to handle several different scissors before you decide.
-- Edited on 12/30/06 10:03 PM --
Scissors are very tactile, they should feel good in your hand or you won't like to use them. Kai's are becoming more popular, they hold their sharpness and the rubberized handle is comfortable. Try to handle several different scissors before you decide.
-- Edited on 12/30/06 10:03 PM --
Posted on: 12/31/06 9:46 AM ET
Ginghers are nice enough and if bought on a 50% off sale are reasonably priced. A basic knife edge is a staple in the sewing room. The serrated edge is more of a specialty tool.
Today's Ginghers are not your grandmother's Ginghers, though. They aren't even your mother's Ginghers. I have 25 year old Ginghers and I have 5 year old Ginghers and they do look the same. But on closer inspection the older ones are slimmer at the tips and are more balanced and comfortable in the hand.
I like that Ginghers have a true left hand scissor where the blades are mirror images of right hand, not just right hand scissors with left hand handles stuck on them. Something to consider if you are left handed.
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Today's Ginghers are not your grandmother's Ginghers, though. They aren't even your mother's Ginghers. I have 25 year old Ginghers and I have 5 year old Ginghers and they do look the same. But on closer inspection the older ones are slimmer at the tips and are more balanced and comfortable in the hand.
I like that Ginghers have a true left hand scissor where the blades are mirror images of right hand, not just right hand scissors with left hand handles stuck on them. Something to consider if you are left handed.
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Liz
thefittinglife.blogspot.com
thefittinglife.blogspot.com
Posted on: 12/31/06 12:29 PM ET
Awhile back Gingher switched all their production from Germany to outsources.
the typical silver handled dressmaker shears are made in Mexico now and are nowhere near the quality of the old Ginghers. Some of the smaller embroidery scissors are made in Italy, and they seem to be of better quality than the ones made in Mexico.
I have a pair of knife edge that are stamped "made in Brazil" and the blades were great, until dsd's used them to cut the plastic price tags off their jeans GRRR.
I agree with SewLiz that the serrated are special use only, not for everyday cutting. The serrated blades are made specifically for cutting slippery silk and poly satins (charmeuse) and chiffons.
Next up for my workroom I want a pair of those huge Wiss dressmaker shears. They still make them, I know, because they get them for the students at the fashion design program here at WashU
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the typical silver handled dressmaker shears are made in Mexico now and are nowhere near the quality of the old Ginghers. Some of the smaller embroidery scissors are made in Italy, and they seem to be of better quality than the ones made in Mexico.
I have a pair of knife edge that are stamped "made in Brazil" and the blades were great, until dsd's used them to cut the plastic price tags off their jeans GRRR.
I agree with SewLiz that the serrated are special use only, not for everyday cutting. The serrated blades are made specifically for cutting slippery silk and poly satins (charmeuse) and chiffons.
Next up for my workroom I want a pair of those huge Wiss dressmaker shears. They still make them, I know, because they get them for the students at the fashion design program here at WashU
------
Marji
Posted on: 12/31/06 9:17 PM ET
Just thought I'd mention that New Year's Day, Hancock's has all their scissors 50% off.
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